Tricks that old racers get up to after retirement

[jackiewilson]

I got to know ROY when he was touring Europe with Joe Swift?
Don had built the “ Rossanari” and I was building a tunnel at the shop I rented in horsham which they wanted to investigate. ROY became a person of importance in Europe —— Bill Steele was his boss BG
( BG and AG—- Before Garbrecht and after Garbrecht) being the link between anyone who ran a Merc and factory product.
Roy was then sent to Torriggia to live in the beautiful villa next door to the factory ( so he could keep an eye on the happenings at Molinari’s.).
He later brought his whole family over to live there—— then his brother BOBBY, — and I remember Biff one of his sons, the one that got into a bundle with one of my daughters ( Boo) the way kids do sometimes.
Seemed like I was always at the factory once I made the Mercury team—— most of the HI- PERF
GUYS FROM OSHKOSH visited Torriggia at one time or another.
Thats where I met Pruett—- another of my friends who passed long ago.
Guess when you get to our age Gene, we should expect to lose the odd friend or two. Just seems like all my friends are jumping off the roller coaster one after the other.
Neither am I as strong and resolute as I once was—- afraid am brought to tears when each of them pass on.
Its with a heavy heart I walk into the shop today—- I will open my IPhone— switch on SPOTIFY —- Plug in my ear buds and listen to all the 60/70’s music I love to listen to.
Reed Eller taught me more about I.T. and Apple Macs than even my grandkids did.
Even though my friends out there never knew Reed— one thing I do know—- they all understand what the hell im talking about—- because they’ve all been here! Thank you all.

[jackiewilson]

I’ve been in total isolation for six weeks—— two of my best friends have died in that time—— I’ve been following all the rules laid out by the government.
Today my daughter SAm — who has been in isolation for four weeks, came round to see me—— walked up the drive and hugged me hard !!!!
Its against the rules—— shouldn’t have done it—- fact is, I needed a hug—— I’ve had —— and given, hugs all my life !!!
When they laid down the Coronavirus rules—— did they stop for a single moment and study what the mental state people might get themselves into????
Fact is—— ENGLAND has a higher fatality rate than other European countries in spite of all the precautions!!!
With no sign of Parliament ever going back to work—— Boris has not been seen for a month— three”. “ “Faces” come onto the TV screens and tell us another ( on average) 800 people died of Coronavirus again today——- but—— they have it all under control ?????
Florence Nightingale Emergency Hospital with 4,000 beds has been up and running for two weeks—— but it’s got less than twenty occupants ?...????
Its not going to be long, before Joe Public starts asking questions .
I really am a law abiding peaceful UK citizen——- along with a few hundred million more who are going to want to know when things are going to return to normal.
Those that used to get paid for working have been promised “FURLOUGH” —— up to now, nobody’s received a brass farthing—— all the computers that give out the cash have gone into lockdown!
Maybe its the fact that the scheme was never sustainable in the first place ????
Surely I can’t be the only one who’s wondering just what’s going on!!!
This maybe borderline reading to put into the Tricks site—— so I’ll apologise now —- if the powers want me not to mention it again, then I’ll comply!
Today I broke the rules—— I have been severely chastised and criticised by friends and family—— but I did it!

[jackiewilson]

Hey out there—- it’s a brand new day, suns shining and I woke up again this morning. What more can you ask for?
See that most of the boat racing events in the USA have been suspended, or put on hold!
F1 car racing has lost the first eight races of the 2020 season.
Im still on the roller coaster of life —- Jim Hunt And Ted Boyd just had birthdays and TOM STICKLE has his 80tg tomorrow. So all you old farts out there should wish him a happy birthday—— Won’t make him any prettier—- but it will make him feel good!
Rollers are getting there slowly—- hope to have the next two completed by the end of the month!
These are numbers eleven and twelve. Yes I do know where each and every one is—- and who owns them !

[jackiewilson]

One of my granddaughters Carly—- Steve took her round the bay at around 150— just to give her a taste of what goes on in the family these days !

[powerabout]

Hey Jackie
where does Chris Hodges live now?

[jackiewilson]

Hey Jackie
where does Chris Hodges live now?

Last I heard he was in Australia—- think he got divorced ( again) , but according to Brownies writings, he’s calling in to see him anytime soon!
Maybe you should ask Brownie Pilgrim!

[jackiewilson]

How’s Mathew Caldwell doing these days after his terrible accident?
Is he still developing that beautiful piece of kit—- or has it been shelved for a while?

[AZMIDLYF]

Guess he is still healing but they have the 3.5L running.
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=887198231740195

[jackiewilson]

Another good reason to visit Key West!!!

[jackiewilson]

Only place I’ve ever seen naked ladies painted—- so there’s another good reason for visiting Key West!

[FUJIMO]

sure beats look'n at more old, out of business OMC V-8 raceboat pic's...

[FUJIMO]

...Thanks Jackie!

[willabee]

Just a reminder of Greg's request .....

I just wanted to underscore the importance of being careful with photos that might be seen as more adult-oriented in content. Women in bikinis is fine, but naked women with just paint on them is not so good.

I'm sorry for the long post here, but it's an issue that could potentially affect the site in a very negative way.

[WaterZebra]

Hey out there—- it’s a brand new day, suns shining and I woke up again this morning. What more can you ask for?
See that most of the boat racing events in the USA have been suspended, or put on hold!
F1 car racing has lost the first eight races of the 2020 season.
Im still on the roller coaster of life —- Jim Hunt And Ted Boyd just had birthdays and TOM STICKLE has his 80tg tomorrow. So all you old farts out there should wish him a happy birthday—— Won’t make him any prettier—- but it will make him feel good!
Rollers are getting there slowly—- hope to have the next two completed by the end of the month!
These are numbers eleven and twelve. Yes I do know where each and every one is—- and who owns them !

Air travel collapsed, airlines followed, then Boeing & Airbus coughed, Alcoa Aluminum shuttered its plant in Ferndale WA / USA after seeing 25% decline in aluminum demand. APBA (USA) will wake itself up from a self-induced coma at mid summer and decide what its supposed to be at that time. Boeing dug into its cash reserves at $50B. GE Capital cancelled 737 Max orders for 69 planes. Meat packers in the USA are sputtering. Car dealerships haven't sobered up to the reality that they will probably have to start selling their products (if at all?) for a loss. Grocery market shopping has calmed down a bit with the stampedes for TP ending. Beef and pork markets are getting a little tight. Now they are starting to ration cases of tuna. Everybody here is digging in for the long haul with masks and gloves. Las Vegas casinos are ready to reopen but their workers are not. Phase 2 of vaccine testing has begun in Seattle WA. California, Oregon and Washington State will probably re-open together but not until the end of May. 1st declared COVID 19 death in USA has been revised from Kirkland WA to Santa Clara California by almost a full month. We saw the first theoretical negative futures value on the NYSE for oil with a barrel of oil just under $20. The Midwest oil shale fracking companies are dying just about as fast as COVID19 victims.

[FUJIMO]

...chin up grasshopper...