1981 Cigarette Bacardi race champion boat- Coors Silver Bullet 39
03-28-2009, 07:30 PM
#31
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Location: haworth nj/lavalette nj
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03-29-2009, 02:16 AM
#32
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. I was with Bonomi at the time and was on my way home from Europe when Mr. K. called and asked if I would test the boat for him, I did and encountered the same thing, boat was uncontrollable, the more I tested I finally figured out that the steering helm ratio was wrong, it was two turns lock to lock so any input in the wheel exaggerated the steering at the drive almost double. We changed the helm and slowed the steering and the boat could now be driven wide open hands off the wheel. This is what many racers today don`t understand that it was guys like me who had to figure all those things out, things that were new and experimental, guess that`s why we were called test drivers, we had to relate what was going on to the engineers then it was up to them to come up with the solution. As for the Sunoco boat, not sure where it ended up, also FYI Mark Donahue rode in the boat as well, and I think Barry Cordingly, who was Don`s test Driver.
Same goes with good racecar drivers, they just say what the car does and itīs my or any other mech/engineers job to get it right.
When your mind is set on racing 24/7 you will succeed.
Sometimes instantly and put the thing back on track.
It comes with a lot of years behind your belt when you finally understand usually itīs simple things that are wrong or the reason for something wrong is simple. Sometimes you burn the midnight oil sometimes itīs a 5-minute fix.
But everytime you get it right you feel somewhat proud...the faster the more proud as YOU Have The Bragging rights
Rich I got one Q for you..do you have a preferance for a steerings wheels lock to lock in turns, in a boat ?
Last edited by MikeyFIN; 03-29-2009 at 02:27 AM.
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