Tricks that old racers get up to after retirement

[jackiewilson]

No Jackie it was not me being "Blooded in Montmarte."
But I would like to hear the story of that episode too.

I know it was one of Roy’s boys. He lived with mom and dad at the house on lake Como next to the Torriggia factory.in 1970 he would have had to be around seventeen/eighteen. Not long out of school. Probably working with his dad.
Bobby Ridgell had one of his boys with him ( BIFF) . It wasn’t Biff.
Pruett was the instigator.
He had hired a Paris Taxi driver for the day. Took the boy on a Sightseeing-Tour —— The Louvre— Sacre Cour —- Tour Eifel, all the usual places.
In the evening we hooked up with Schubert, SEEBOLD, Stickle and a couple more ( I forget who).
Went first to the Crazy Horse, then up to the Montmarte quarter and the houses if ill repute.
Was a wonderful day really, and quite an experience for a fresh out of school Florida youngster.
Was Pruett who financed the deal.

[jackiewilson]

Just in case any of you out there wondered who the hell STEVERINO was , THATS him.

[jackiewilson]

Collie Coulson from around the same time.

[jackiewilson]

Mikey being a tad over exuberant.

[Lake X Kid]

[Lake X Kid]

Mike Seebold, I presume by Jackie's comment.
The fortunate thing, is the cockpit looks unfazed and intact. Driver should be okay.

[Lake X Kid]

I know it was one of Roy’s boys. He lived with mom and dad at the house on lake Como next to the Torriggia factory.in 1970 he would have had to be around seventeen/eighteen. Not long out of school. Probably working with his dad.
Bobby Ridgell had one of his boys with him ( BIFF) . It wasn’t Biff.
Pruett was the instigator.
He had hired a Paris Taxi driver for the day. Took the boy on a Sightseeing-Tour —— The Louvre— Sacre Cour —- Tour Eifel, all the usual places.
In the evening we hooked up with Schubert, SEEBOLD, Stickle and a couple more ( I forget who).
Went first to the Crazy Horse, then up to the Montmarte quarter and the houses if ill repute.
Was a wonderful day really, and quite an experience for a fresh out of school Florida youngster.
Was Pruett who financed the deal.

Oh you are talking about that night life. Yes it was me, and I remember asking my dad, Roy Ridgell, if I could go and he gave me the green light. To this day, I am not certain if I knew before what was in store for us, but I was not disappointed. And I don't remember how the money was exchanged, and who paid for what.

Don Pruett knew how to find and have a good time, and a once in a life time experience for me. Don also found a place near the Como shop. I would never had known the place existed, but Don led us there. I do not remember which Mercury (American) guys went on that escapade. The club was north of the race shop, a mile or two from the shop it seemed. For reference the city of Como is south of the shop, and this club was up the road in the opposite direction.

The legacy of Don Pruett - not forgotten on and off the race course.

[jackiewilson]

Oh you are talking about that night life. Yes it was me, and I remember asking my dad, Roy Ridgell, if I could go and he gave me the green light. To this day, I am not certain if I knew before what was in store for us, but I was not disappointed. And I don't remember how the money was exchanged, and who paid for what.

Don Pruett knew how to find and have a good time, and a once in a life time experience for me. Don also found a place near the Como shop. I would never had known the place existed, but Don led us there. I do not remember which Mercury (American) guys went on that escapade. The club was north of the race shop, a mile or two from the shop it seemed. For reference the city of Como is south of the shop, and this club was up the road in the opposite direction.

The legacy of Don Pruett - not forgotten on and off the race course.

NO WAY COULD YOU EVEN DREAM WHAT WAS IN STORE FOR YOU.Roy.
it had been planned for some time . It wasnt a spur of the moment affair . Uncle Bobby may have been there, you will have to ask him.


I should finish the book im writing about powerboating the end of this year.
Im 50,000 words In up to now. Just another 50,000 to go. Im churning out on average 1,000 words a day.

THINK YOU MUST MEAN LILO LILL AND COMO CLARA. That was the favourite night time haunt of all Mercury personel working in Italy. It was where the coast road went into a very narrow village street with traffic lights. A couple of good restaurants.
On a Sunday night the streets would ring out to a tenor singing POLIACHI.

[GENE LANHAM]

Came yesterday...could not put it down. You played a major part in that whole era of powerboat racing.
Did not know that you had worked for Hewes. Did you, by any chance, remember working with a gentleman named Dan Lynch at Hewes? I worked for Bob as a very young 20 yr old in his N. Miami shop during the 80s and Dan used to tell me stories about the shop in Miami.

Real early 60's---I worked part time for 'HEWES" as an OMC mechanic!!

Soon---Danny Lynch became my MENTOR---everything I know about Inline 6 'DR's I learned from Danny!!

And then Bob sent me to Sarasota---to be a MC mechanic--and I worked at THE RIVER--with Wilson Shaffer

A lot of 'Lanhams' worked for Bob Hewes over the years--all COUSINS---


Here is a pic of Danny --Bob-- Oliver--Robert Lanham--I took the picture--good times!!!!

[jackiewilson]

Hole in one trophy i did for George Hoover Torres pines San Diego a couple of years back

[jackiewilson]

Squirt finds his damn way in everywhere.

[jackiewilson]

Had that suit made in La Jolla in 1971 Been a legend for twenty years before it mysteriously disappeared .

[FUJIMO]

[FUJIMO]

...The one & only Miss Geico, Reese Lewis. Can't believe its already been about 5 1/2 years since she died. Sweet girl...

[jackiewilson]

...The one & only Miss Geico, Reese Lewis. Can't believe its already been about 5 1/2 years since she died. Sweet girl...

Wish i could say the same about Squirt.