Originally Posted by 7xchamp

Joern: Remember I said volumes about that CTC race, well here goes, I`ll try to condense it. one of The differences between the open chamber head and the closed chamber obvious was the open chamber ran what we used to call the peanut spark plugs, they were much smaller than the closed chamber plugs. Knocky House who was rautboards throttleman ( one of the great great legends ) was aware of this. Anyway when we went through Scrutinizing, which if you have never done it, it is something to behold and experience. Upon completeion they told us there was a problem, and they would let us know what it was later in the day, I had a gut feeling what was comming, and sure enough we were disqualified at 4:00 in the afternoon, Nocky was happy as was evryone who had to race against us, they had eliminated us. Anticipating what was going down, I made some calls to friends at Mercury in Poole @ the Merc. distributor. Guess what???, he had four closed chamber cylinder heads that had been on the shelf for sometime and we could buy them, Bonomi sent his plane to fetch them, and I as chief mechanic started stripping the open chambers off to replace with closed coming from Poole, I was disassembling on the trailer going to the airport for the Avgas. Long story short!!! the heads arrived, on the boxes was the name Billy Martin special. I worked all night, no sleep, the sun came up we rolled out of Goves and Gutteridge to scrutineering, where we passed, and were allowed to race. Bonomi was filling me with sugar pills and coffee to keep me awake, I threw on my uniform jumped in the boat, did one quick test run, then went to starting line, 10 min. into the race we blew the belts of the rear engine, I had forgotten to shim the alternator, so belts ran off line, Fortunatly I always had belts ty-wrapped behind, so I went back and put new belts on, and tightened the hell out of them. Only took maybe 10 min. by now the adrenaline was kicking in and we basically kicked evryones ass and one. Jack Stuteville said he never saw a boat run that good in rough water, said it looked like a rocket. WE WON!!!!!! take that all of you. It`s all about dedication, preparation and not
giving up that makes a Champion. I want to clarify something also that many did not know, but the fact of the Martini sponsorship. They only supplied cloths, uniforms, and paint work on the boats. If they gave $25,000 per year it was a lot. Ceasar Fiorio hooked it all up, and was there to make us look like pro`s. Bonomi paid all the bills, as I was the one who wrote the checks, Sorry to burst any bubbles, but that was the way Offshore was then. It was the same with Ippolitto and Bernie Little, very little money but made big ego and scared the others. That`s all for now. 7XCHAMP

Originally Posted by Deauville Trophy

Just one word to had Richie: GREAT!

I found this picture of American Eagle before the 1976 Dauphin d'Or. Is it you in the engine bay?

Originally Posted by littlenige

Richie - you were robbed!!! Shouldīve been a certain cig 35 sat on the winners berth in ī76!!

Originally Posted by littlenige

One of the old classics seen at Cowes a few years back, currently located on the River Hamble I think.

Originally Posted by 7xchamp

Charlie: I am told that it will most likly be held in Jersey, Jerry Jacoby will know better, he had become very close to Joey at the end. As soon as I hear anything I`ll let you know. Seems the Don Aronow thing is very hot now days, Jacoby is working with some people to do a movie, they have interviewed many so far, and actually set-up an office in Miami to field the preliminary work, said they will have an anouncement early January. As far as your stuff with Michael. I think the stories behind each boat co he formed and sold and the stories behind the scenes is what is interesting. I think also just a brief about his youth is all that`s needed. Good luck, If I can be of help let me know. Coffee table book. Also does anyone know where Missy is or Pattie Lazzacca. Somehow I thought I heard Missy had Passed away?????????? 7XCHAMP

Originally Posted by 7xchamp

Like we say you can`t win them all, it`s the big picture,UIM world champion 1976 we brought the trophy back to America for the Bicentenial year. A story !!!!! Tom tryed hiring me for three years to run with him for the World Championship, the reason I was not interested is that he always wanted to run some hot Calif. motors, and his own brand of boat etc. Finally we sat down and he said just write down how much you need to make and we`ll go racing, and you can run whatever equip. you want, Richie it`s your ball game, and the rest is history. Best to you and loved ones for the holidays, from your good friend 7XCHAMP.