Tricks that old racers get up to after retirement

[GENE LANHAM]

[quote=gene lanham;3339878]

'down here'--where were you living in 1981??

Roy mentioned the cirrus--and the 'chute'---many documented saves-- but--
no substitute for experience--skill-training--common sense and luck--

I was on the Airport Commission and got to meet Connie Kalitta--the owner--Connie blamed the FAA

[Rotary John]

Quote from Charlie Strang "
In those days tunnel boat design had not kept up with the available power and we had 4 deaths in 4 months. This led to the development of the safety cockpit—financially sponsored by both OMC and Mercury—which did a fantastic job of reducing risk." I'm sure not all the money went to Hodges. In 1985 Veldon sponsored 5 boats with safety cells.

[jackiewilson]

Quote from Charlie Strang "
In those days tunnel boat design had not kept up with the available power and we had 4 deaths in 4 months. This led to the development of the safety cockpit—financially sponsored by both OMC and Mercury—which did a fantastic job of reducing risk." I'm sure not all the money went to Hodges. In 1985 Veldon sponsored 5 boats with safety cells.

i really did not know OMC had contributed anything towards the safety cell. Hodges was a close friend , not just an associate— he spent more time at the farm than he did at home . He worked with McLaren developing a safer carbon cockpit for the F1 cars .
Told me that it could only work if the driver was belted in—- that was my big concern . Long before he got into “RIGHT WAY UP FLOATATION”. And the rest of the safety cell.
CEES was very good at keeping things for himself— he did far better out of OMC than he ever did at Mercury.
Hodges was only one going anywhere with the cell—- Bill Brown‘s half hearted attempt with the aluminium cell was an unmitigated disaster. CEES then took Chris’s idea to either Amsterdam or Rotterdam university for further development . In the end he used the Hodges capsule—as did all the other boatbuilders ——- it was free— he never took out a patent or charged a fee. He really did have the good of the sport in mind.
Hodges was always skint——-i once ordered six tunnel boats at one time——- not because i wanted them -just to keep him in business . The six hundred quid deposit, kept him going just long enough to stay afloat . [again].
Puzzled by the quote “VELDON SPONSORED 5 BOATS WITH SAFETY CELLS”. CEES HAD A RADIO SHOP. ———- no way could he sponsor 5 boats.

[FUJIMO]

...the very first safety cell for the modern tunnel boat was developed without any omc funding, you are correct jackie. mostly driver monies, in the "early" 80's. they did jump on board a little while later to join the original innovator, chris hodges...then came velden, etc...

[FUJIMO]

i really did not know OMC had contributed anything towards the safety cell. Hodges was a close friend , not just an associate— he spent more time at the farm than he did at home . He worked with McLaren developing a safer carbon cockpit for the F1 cars .
Told me that it could only work if the driver was belted in—- that was my big concern . Long before he got into “RIGHT WAY UP FLOATATION”. And the rest of the safety cell.
CEES was very good at keeping things for himself— he did far better out of OMC than he ever did at Mercury.
Hodges was only one going anywhere with the cell—- Bill Brown‘s half hearted attempt with the aluminium cell was an unmitigated disaster. CEES then took Chris’s idea to either Amsterdam or Rotterdam university for further development . In the end he used the Hodges capsule—as did all the other boatbuilders ——- it was free— he never took out a patent or charged a fee. He really did have the good of the sport in mind.
Hodges was always skint——-i once ordered six tunnel boats at one time——- not because i wanted them -just to keep him in business . The six hundred quid deposit, kept him going just long enough to stay afloat . [again].
Puzzled by the quote “VELDON SPONSORED 5 BOATS WITH SAFETY CELLS”. CEES HAD A RADIO SHOP. ———- no way could he sponsor 5 boats.

...yeah, j.w...this same old cell debate thing was already rehashed a while back, on this same thread somewhere a long time ago. old news. i remember it, like you remember it. as you said: "hodges was only one going anywhere with the cell"...he was the others inspirational leader, later, when used in the "new" formula 1. no further debate needed...

[FUJIMO]

...back to our regular scheduled programing...

[GENE LANHAM]

...back to our regular scheduled programing...

THANKS-

Tricks that old racers get up to after retirement

[jackiewilson]

...yeah, j.w...this same old cell debate thing was already rehashed a while back, on this same thread somewhere a long time ago. old news. i remember it, like you remember it. as you said: "hodges was only one going anywhere with the cell"...he was the others inspirational leader, later, when used in the "new" formula 1. no further debate needed...

As in all tales to do with boating , there’s always a story within the story. Theres a very special tale hanging around here . Protagonists here are Charles Shooter— Tom Percival— Bob Spalding— Chris Hodges —Jackie wilson —— And Cosworth Engineering —— OMC and Mercury.
Going to have to condense the tale because its a long old narrative . Plus its the last day of easter — maybe tomorrow.

[FUJIMO]

...mans best friend...

[jackiewilson]

Been doing my usual blue arsed fly bit this easter —- more or less went into the shop and locked the door for four days . First all Aluminium concept —- dont have time to take good pictures yet — do have three more concepts on the go at this moment in time. Good thing was —NO VISITORS !!!
although Lizzie did come round for Easter Sunday lunch.

[FUJIMO]

...there's some thick powder...

[jackiewilson]

Only ever had one dog in the whole of my life —gold Labrador named PRUETT. Had him for fifteen years . Never had him spaded — he must hold the worlds record for screwing every bitch within a twenty mile radius of the farm.
Last day of his life he gave the AFGHAN hound from next door the best time of her life before collapsing into a heap , never to rise again.
One of the saddest days of my life taking him to the vet— swore i would never have another dog -and i didnt,

[jackiewilson]

Chas Shooter was 18 years old and had just finished grammar school in Derby when we first clapped eyes on each other . He wanted a big motor to put on a little boat so he could go fast . I liked his thinking .
He turned up at my semi-detached three bedroom house in Southwater just after six on a friday evening in an immaculate Humber SUPER SNIPE with walnut occasional tables .
My ten year old son Mark was filling a clinker built wooden boat with water from a hose pipe on the front lawn .
We had never met before this ——- so even i was surprised when Mark hit him full in the face with a jet of water .
Chas simply picked mark up by the seat of his pants and dropped him into the clinker built which was by now full to the top plank with water . Tbc.

[FUJIMO]

...now that's what i call "sharp"...

[jackiewilson]

“GODZILLA”. All new 55foot offshore racing tunnel.
design hasn’t changed in thirty years , so i thought i might try an update or two.!!!!