Save the Old Race Boats

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06-01-2006, 08:34 AM

#561

Black Tornado

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Re: Save the Old Race Boats

Good Morning McCarthy.
"Double O Seven"-likewise Avenger 007,was a sister boat of Miss Enfield of Tommy Sopwith.
Powered by controversial MerCruiser turbocharged and drove by Pascoe Watson. It had a lot of trouble during the 1970's season but at last won the Deauville Trophy.
Watson lent the boat to the countryman and friend Sopwith that contending the World Title to Balestrieri,for the last two race in Usa,the Miami-Nassau and Hennessy/Key West.
Sherman Crise wont to don't admit the boat because turbocharged. After a long legal fight Avenger 400 was admitted but "sub judice".
Sopwith won the Miami-Nassau and the legals fight restarted,
but alls vanished because the Avenger burned and disappeared under the waters of Key West in the last race.
The picture that Top Banana posted was taken in one of the two last race and the boat brought the Sopwith's number 400 instead the 007.

Last edited by Black Tornado; 06-01-2006 at 08:37 AM.

06-01-2006, 08:44 AM

#562

Black Tornado

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Re: Save the Old Race Boats

Quote:

Originally Posted by Top Banana

Here is a photo from Mar del Plata 1978. Richie Powers, Bobby Beich and me in Tom Gentry's boat prior to launching.

It was a beautiful Scarab customized by Tom Gentry,but unusual for the Hawajian this was unseccesful boat.
Another one was the aluminium Cougar 40' cat with central cockpit that made it debut in Viareggio in 1984.
First race finished after 5 mile from the start. In the others two race Gentry was to visit the Ferrari Factory in Modena....

06-01-2006, 08:53 AM

#563

littlenige

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Re: Save the Old Race Boats

You are right Charlie about the C.R.M. motors in Tramontana - I have in front of me a list of past winners with details confirming! (won at an average speed of 36.85mph!!) Ar well, 2 out of 3 ain't bad. I think maybe the second Tramontana had the quadruple Jag motors.

06-01-2006, 09:50 AM

#564

Black Tornado

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Re: Save the Old Race Boats

Quote:

Originally Posted by Top Banana

I don't want to even get into the controversy of whether or not, this was the first "CAT" of offshore racing.

Let's just say it was one of the very first. Designed by Walt Walters, in the left of the picture for Tommy Sopwith, in the right of the picture.

Fly Over was a Walthers-Wynne design to the englishmen Tommy Sopwith that raced with it in the Miami-Nassau of april 10 1966....
But maybe the first cat of offshore history was this below.
I think was Lady Aitken that drove this Levi's cat in the middle of '60's.

06-01-2006, 10:06 AM

#565

Black Tornado

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Re: Save the Old Race Boats

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Originally Posted by Top Banana

Marco ....here is a photo of Dry Martini at the Cigarette factory in the 70's. I took the photo, the boat was there for some repairs after the Bacardi race.

I know this old thread pic too.
Bonomi raced with the boat that he held in USA,the 35' Awesome. In 1974 the Dry Martini 35' was without windscreen. In 1975 Bonomi ordered to put a windscreen alike that in him 36' in Europe.

06-01-2006, 10:13 AM

#566

thedonz

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Re: Save the Old Race Boats

Black Tornado just want you to know that you're a legend in my book. Thanks for all this history in the sport that we all love so much. Once again thanks and keeping bring it to us

jr mike