Not sure if this is really in the right forum, but anyway thought I would post up some recently found images of my dad racing powerboats back in the day, been wittering on about it at the workshop quite a bit as we dabble with support boats et al...
Anyway, here it is, from memory I think the hull was a Phantom 16 fitted with a single 75 on the back, I recall my old man talking about what he did to the engine, which was pushing out more like 125+.... Ted can correct me if I my memory is mistaken
Engine had a shortened leg with the exhaust port drilled out of the side near the top, crank case had been filled, performance reed valves fitted, performance head and carbs, lightened and balanced rods / pistons... i recall it had a peculiar looking prop on it which they were very secretive about... the name kleever seems to stick in my mind... lots of money I know that much !
My old man raced this boat which was originally called “The Mean Machine” but later called “Snap-on” due to the full sponsorship gig they got. He raced from 1984 - 87 when he had to stop due to injury to his back (I’d imagine a number of the guys and gals went out with back injuries) however if I recall correctly he was British champion in his class on more than one occasion and I even recall meeting Ian Bothham on one event too (happy memories)
My old man never really talked about it much after giving up, despite his and Arthur’s achievements in that boat...always wondered what happened to it.
The image with the three blokes is one year they cleaned up, the guy on the left has something to do with Marlborough racing, I recall Noel Edmunds was at that gig too, the guy in the middle is Arthur Gardiner and the guy on the right is my old man.. they were a formidable team.
Just thought I’d share, quietly proud of my old man...don’t tell him though !
A301996C-59D4-4165-838E-7D04EFBDC7F7.jpeg
1265D689-6571-4D8E-AC5C-021D0FA407D6.jpeg
CB82928C-A7FD-408C-89CD-9DABACB2C118.jpeg
CF4ACB82-FB83-4697-AFC3-2725393FEC07.jpeg
201DAEEE-CB15-4826-BE24-5F455417D3C0.jpeg