It hauled then..................

jesse james cat
 

i remember this like it was yesterday we at atlantic city at the trump casle world championships when mark lavin was coming down the canal to dock the boat and ther was a 38 top gun parked side ways on the wall at the end of the canal he stalled the boat and was coming in a little fast cuoldnt get it started and the sound of that tip of the cat going into the side of that cig was sickening the guy with him in the boat jumped up on the deck and tryied to stop the boat to no avail this race was the one that was delayed cause of the weather for three days didnt have enough money for the casinos to sit around that long sad to say that was the race that kevin brown was killed at i was on the top of the peir videoing kevin coming at us he was on the edge in a32 skater inboards just as he passed us i turned to pick up the next boat and he stuffed it canopie broke loose and hit him in the face that was one of the ruffest races iv seen little ceasers 47 apache won the big class with pete markey neet race

Thanks for posting your story, I seem to recall the boat comming back to the shop at sometime for something else & seeing a few gouges in around the picklefork. I'm sure the breaking of fiberglass wasn't exactly what mark wanted to hear that day either. Mark was such a stand up guy I'd have to guess he took care of the gentleman w\the Cig on the spot.

Regards
Ken

Heres another for U T2X
 

Hey Rich Here is another pic from memory lane, I'd even enjoy your expert comentary on this boats background.:D
I gotta say having those lamborgini engines sitting in the floor of the shop while this one was being built was definatly one of the highlights of my life. Wow what a beautifull piece of art those things are..... esspecially to a 12yr old who Had pic's of their cars plasterd all over his walls ....:D :D :D

JIMKID sorry but you must be mistaken.Either it was a different year or another boat. Mark Lavin was killed in 1986 in Key West. The world championships in AC were held years after that. Mark IS one of my heros I hate to seem him thought of in a bad way.

i went back a couple of days and love the pics that T2x posted of jesse james, would love to see more!!!

Jim Kid:

I concur with Ryan (as usual). Mark died in November of 1986 in the 35 foot Jesse James at Key West. The race you are referring to (Atlantic City World's) was held October of 1989. You did not see Mark crash into anyone at that race. However the 48 foot Jesse James Superboat was in that race. It may have hit someone's Top Gun, but I didn't see any such occurence nor any resultant damage. On the other hand that huge Conquest could have pierced a dozen Cigarettes and not shown any ill effects.

Did Cigarette even make a Top Gun in 1989? These are the kind of questions that I don't have the answers to. Of course the fact that I pay little attention to "Floating Firebirds" like Top Guns, in the first place, may explain that.

T2x.........left on a doorstep....by werewolves.

Re: Heres another for U T2X
 

Ah yes.....Rocky....... Built for Jean Paul Fruitier (English translation- "Large Ego Fruitcake") of Paris, France. Sponsored by his Orange Juice product........."Rocky".......... (Name makes no sense to me either....especially in a black and white package).

However...............

The boat was powered by twin Lamborghini's arranged for by his good friend (and far more interesting person), Didier Pironi. ......

Yeah THAT Didier Pironi......ex Ferrari Formula I driver...badly injured at the German Grand Prix in Hockenheim..... French National Hero....etc.

We were going to set up a pre-preg operation with him in France to build hi-performance cats for Euro trash.....when he got a "better idea"......a chineless vee bottom........

When we warned him that the design would tend to roll over.......... He scoffed ....as only the French can. Then he entered the prototype in an offshore race. Ultra light.....Pre-preg construction......started the race very well........ 90 plus mph......until the boat barrel rolled in a straight line and killed both Didier and his throttleman......who "didn't need" canopies, but opted for 5 point harnesses....in there stand up bolsters.

This may help explain why I am so testy when faced with continual unsafe "better ideas".......such as.

120+ mph uncanopied "pleasure boats"
150+ mph "pleasure boats"
Allowing unqualified people to drive the above
Allowing passengers to accompany the above
Step bottomed Vee bottoms
Race classes based on Bravo drives
No life jackets in Poker Runs
No Helmets in 150+mph "pleasure boats"
200 mph record attempts without sufficient rescue boats
100+ mph "Shootouts" without full Cockpit safety inspections
Running past the concrete "pillow" in Key West Harbor at Race speeds (not done this year)
Badly managed Poker Runs
Not properly glassing hulls to decks on performance boats
Cut down open topped canopies
Stand up driven boats capable of over 75 mph.

Mark Lavin died doing what he loved and was VERY talented at........with the most advanced safety technology available.
His death led to Safety efforts that have saved many lives....and motivated a lot of people who loved him to do their best to keep the flame burning.

Didier Pironi died proving that stupidity, of and by itself.....is pointless.

T2x..................Still keep'n the faith

jesse james boat
 

your right guys sorry i ment chris his brother was driving wasnt sure about the names im sorry no disrespect meant the cig he hit was island runner talk to ya latter

No problem................... If only I could remember yesterday as well as 15 years ago.

T2x