Shaken not stirred [Archive]

Mike Bontoft

19-09-2009, 09:53 AM

I can't contain myself any longer. I have my ride for CTC 2010.
http://i34.tinypic.com/14kimh4.jpg:banana: :banana: :banana: :banana:

Jon Fuller

19-09-2009, 10:49 AM

Cool!

3jcs

19-09-2009, 02:27 PM

Very very cool, she is outstandingly beautiful. Which Martini is it, i presume it is a Bonomi boat from the early 70's.

Is it the one that Ken Cassir bought and named Yellowdrama II which then became Crown of Crucis / Colt Sapporo.

Would you be willing to sell 1 seat in the boat for CTC 2010 ?

I used to have a full international license and owned and raced many Cougar
3D cats in the 70's & 80's then a short dabble with class 2 in the 90's. Always wanted to do the CTC but used to go round the island instead as trying to race a 3D cougar in class 2 never worked for anyone on the CTC.

I am sure if I spoke to Sheila at the RYA I could get my license again as I have to have a medical every year for my race car license (class international B).

littlenige

20-09-2009, 01:53 AM

Wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Mike - congratulations!!!!!!!!! What a dream boat to own. I cannot wait for next years event, especially if machinery like this is going to be there. It will be like I am 10 years old again.

FLYING FISH

20-09-2009, 03:31 AM

Mike Bontoft

20-09-2009, 10:44 AM

Thanks, Yes it is the one advertised at Lake Cumberland marine, It was restored by Kurts Marine.
I Just got off the phone with the trucker, He has it hooked up and it should be here on Wednesday, I'll take more pictures. I will be dismantling most of boat over the winter to get it race ready.:seaman:
Inspector Crusoe, Any more history on this boat?

3jcs

21-09-2009, 04:37 AM

Mike,

Can you kindly let me have a private e-mail address, I would like to send you some info and photos regarding your previous private message.

Thank you.

FLYING FISH

21-09-2009, 07:24 AM

Mike Bontoft

21-09-2009, 09:26 AM

Thanks Flying Fish
I read the boat ran out of fuel in Key west because the fuel lines had been hooked up incorrectly. The boat is ready to run but I want to make sure everything is race ready. I have the build sheets and dyno info on the engines and all the good stuff is in there so it should pretty much just be an inspection of the internals. The boat has been sat for a while so diaphrams and other rubber perishables need checking. I plan on returning to Cowes on two engines.:)

Delta28

21-09-2009, 02:34 PM

Nice one, Mike... I'm sure I speak for everyone in wishing you all the very best..!

Really lookin' forward to next year's race... what a superb addition your boat will be....

TonyToll

24-09-2009, 02:45 AM

I can't contain myself any longer. I have my ride for CTC 2010.
http://i34.tinypic.com/14kimh4.jpg:banana: :banana: :banana: :banana:

Well done Mike, great looking boat, I shall look forward to running the CTC with you next year.

Mike Bontoft

24-09-2009, 08:38 AM

Thanks Tony
Seeing your Apache running at Cowes set the hook even harder. The boat got in last night at about 9pm, I was out in the dark crawling all over her until midnight. Its like getting in a time machine and setting the dials back to mid 70s .:cheers:
Mike

TonyToll

24-09-2009, 09:36 AM

Sounds great Mike, are the motors the fuel injected Kiekaefers?
Enjoy!

littlenige

24-09-2009, 10:07 AM

Mike please post photo's when you can.

Jon Fuller

24-09-2009, 10:23 AM

Mike, is this Cig one of the 4 that Charlie McCarthy is talking about bringing over, or is it in addition to those?

Mike Bontoft

24-09-2009, 08:49 PM

They are 70s vintage fuel injected mercruisers with newer blocks and heads, etc
John, I have been talking to Charlie but I am not sure if he is including my boat in the 4.
http://i35.tinypic.com/qywydl.jpg

3jcs

25-09-2009, 04:37 PM

Mike,

Glad to hear that the boat has arrived home safely, exciting times ahead we all hope.

I can not wait to see a current set of your own photos and hear what you think to its current set up.

Did you get my recent direct e-mail or do I need to re-send as have been experiencing some problems with my e-mail.

kind Regards,

B.

FLYING FISH

25-09-2009, 11:57 PM

I don`t know if this answers your question Jon,but Benihana was ex-Spirit and nowt to do with Dry Martini IV.

Jon Fuller

29-09-2009, 07:38 AM

That FI setup looks very similar to the one that came out of Warlord. (though I'm assuming that's a mechanical injector pump I can see)

The Warlord motor was/is a 482 EFI of 1981/2 vintage. It had valvetrain failure (cam & followers damaged) but I have all the original bits, including the Pattersons etc. I'm uncertain what power was claimed for the 482 efi, I've heard anywhere from 600, to 675hp.

An engine pic from 1982, courtesy of Brian (Blue Mist)

More pics here: http://boatmad.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8731&page=5

PS, glad to see the finest tool in the workshop nestling atop the rear motor there. At least it's a softie! :hugegrin:

Mike Bontoft

01-10-2009, 01:46 AM

Yes the injection is Lucas/ Kinsler mechanical, very similar to the Triumph PI systems of the 70s only much less complicated. Nice motor, Does it have standard flat lifters (cam followers)? Would be neat in a small Cig.
Things are coming right along with help from my little orange friend.:cheers:
http://i34.tinypic.com/nnrxjr.jpg
http://i38.tinypic.com/16bxzj5.jpg

Jon Fuller

01-10-2009, 02:04 AM

That motor looks very tidy inside!

The 482efi was roller lifter, crane gold roller rockers etc.

Not sure how easy it would be emulate the cam from that era now, or even find out what was in it. I need to collect the last of the bits, will look for some cam ID if I can.

I had the Lucas system on a 2.5 L6 Triumph motor (TR6 style) installed in a Triumph GT6 (for my sins) back in the early 80's. That was a greedy fecker for a small motor.

Mike Bontoft

01-10-2009, 10:54 AM

http://i36.tinypic.com/ab30r7.jpg The tie bar breaks and wipes out the cam :mad:
http://i36.tinypic.com/2mg8hvn.jpg I've had better luck with this style

Captain Chaos

01-10-2009, 01:02 PM

what manufacturer are the later please mike?

Mike Bontoft

01-10-2009, 08:22 PM

Crane. Summit has one set. Crane went bankrupt earlier this year so don't wait too long before you purchase http://www.summitracing.com/parts/CRN-13528-16

Problems with dry martini engines so far.
#2 engine (rear) had about a gallon and a half more oil in it than it should have and the oil is piss thin with fuel, I will have to check the mechanical fuel pump and a few other items to see where that came from.

#1 engine, the camshaft would not slide out during disassembly due to a bad ridge on the second cam bearing. It was built with too little clearance and the coating and babbit move around to block the oil feed holes. The only oil this bearing has been getting was thrown off the crank. All the bearings are coated in these two engines. "New and improved (costs more)" coated bearings really trick????. If the clearance is correct and you have a good clean oil supply the standard bearing have always worked fine in the past. I agree coatings for piston skirts and other high friction surfaces works very well, I'm just not sold on the coated babbit bearings, maybe too old school.
http://i36.tinypic.com/5lz0wk.jpg
http://i36.tinypic.com/2i7qyj7.jpg

Jon Fuller

02-10-2009, 02:33 AM

I know I'm an old duffa, but I really do believe in the old "If it aint broke, don't fix it" line.

I wasn't aware that cam bearing were a weakness in these motors? The 5 journals working together must be quite adequate in controlling the cam I would have thought. (without Hokey Cokey 2000 super products being introduced)

The buggered lifters in warlord's motor still have an intact link plate, so not too sure why it failed. actually, thinking back to when I looked at it, I've a feeling the evidence suggested the pin through the body on which the roller spins appears to have failed. will dig it out and post a pic.

Jon Fuller

02-10-2009, 03:19 AM

what manufacturer are the later please mike?

You realise those are mechanical roller, and not hydraulic roller don't you Mr Chaos.

Captain Chaos

02-10-2009, 07:08 AM

yes Jon, i had worked that out all by myself

Mike Bontoft

02-10-2009, 10:08 AM

Your right, camshaft bearings aren't normally a problem with these engines but sometimes you will get a tight one when assembling a new block. The babbit will shine up on the problem area. They make oversize sets so you can line bore the block in case you get one that's really messed up.

Jon Fuller

04-10-2009, 01:13 AM

yes Jon, i had worked that out all by myself

OK, I shalln't interfere again.

Captain Chaos

04-10-2009, 04:24 AM

I didnt say you had to stop interfering you tetchy old bar-steward. I just answered your question ;)

Big V

04-10-2009, 04:35 AM

Mike,

Stunning boat, love the history, great purchase mate and even better that you are going to race her in such a prestigious race :up:

Jacques.

Jon Fuller

04-10-2009, 04:55 AM

yes Jon, i had worked that out all by myself

I'm tetchy?....righto.

Captain Chaos

04-10-2009, 05:24 AM

yes, always

its the iron-oxide in you

andymac

04-10-2009, 04:35 PM

strawberry blonde

Black_Tornado

19-10-2009, 08:42 AM

At the risk of having `Black Tornado` on my tail,that boat seems to be the restored one from America (35ft Ciggy),which raced over there in 1974 -1980.
C.Bonomi (74 & 75),G.Niccolai (76),and David Hagan used it in 1980 to get Harmsworth points in the Benihana race.

Far days from your tail, Flying Fish, I enter in the discussion for before thing complimenting me with Mike for the jewel purchase.
It is matter of the 35' hull no.2 built in 1974 for Bonomi and that in these last times it was of Kurt Berger in USA.
Nothing to whether to do with the 36' 'Kangol' with which Niccolai did his debut in offshore in the VBV of the 1976. That was probably the ex Fino-Red Vengeance-Dry Martini (red)with the deck modified.

Black_Tornado

19-10-2009, 03:43 PM

From what I can make out,the following races Dry Martini IV took part.It`s a minefield trying to know which particular Dry Martini boat was used.

1974 - Hennesy GP - ret

1975 - Miami-Nassau - ret,Key West -ret,Benihana - dis

1976 - Viareggio-Bastia (Some doubt if it was DM IV)

1980 - Benihana - ret

So it wasn`t exactly thrashed.I thought the boat had been completely rebuilt and was ready to start racing again.Little Nige posted a diatribe on it some time back.

Graham,Bonomi drove the 35' in only five races alls in USA. The boat has left the USA after 35 years now that Bontoft has bought her.

1974
-Bahamas 500 - 1st with Harold Smith
-Hennessy GP - retired (stern drives)

1975
-Benihana GP - disqualified (was 2nd)
-Miami-Nassau - retired
-Key West - with Roberto Succi retired

Mike Bontoft

19-10-2009, 11:49 PM

Black Tornado, Thanks for the history. It started off great with a win in the Bahamas 500 which from what I've read was a tough race, with Smitty at the throttle no less, but then she had a streak of bad luck.
I think its about time for another win :up:
http://i36.tinypic.com/6y1jfa.jpg

Black_Tornado

20-10-2009, 05:53 AM

I am not sure yet on that of the Dry Martinis Bonomi won the two races in South America in January 1974 but I thinks was with the 36' that it was in USA from the end of the season of competitions of the 1973.
However that of the Bahamas 500 were the first victory for a Cig. 35.'
Model that had debut the previous year it delayed to affirm in a competition contrarily of the predecessor 36' that instead it immediately won to the debut.
You have purchased that that I think is the best restored and preserved among all the historical boats in the world.:up:

ashley nihell

20-10-2009, 07:30 AM

2nd pic fantastic:up:

Mike Bontoft

20-10-2009, 09:34 AM

Which book did the first one come from? The second is what its all about :up:

Black_Tornado

20-10-2009, 02:19 PM

Which book did the first one come from? The second is what its all about :up:

Come from a contemporary Italian magazine. I think has been taken during the Bahamas 500 because it is in the first version without the windscreen and with the flag without the coats of arms.
More ahead in the year then on the 35' a windscreen has been put similar to that mounted on the 36' and adds the coat of arms on the flag.
Only criticism that I can say on the boat restoration it is on the type of windscreen not conforming to the original one and the cockpit bolster that it isn't as on all the boats of Bonomi in metal light blue.

Mike Bontoft

20-10-2009, 06:10 PM

I have the wind deflector off the boat at the moment and was thinking of running it that way at Cowes. And now after seeing your first picture even more so. I like the look of the deflector and it is something to duck behind but she looks way old school without it. whats do you forumers think? wind deflector or No. The bolster looks original but I can't be sure. Paint is original as is the signage and Kiekhaefer decals. As you know the boat was in storage for 20 plus years and then it had a complete mechanical restoration with very little cosmetic. It would be great to find some color pictures of the boat from way back when.

Captain Chaos

20-10-2009, 06:54 PM

Just my opinion Mike, but I think it looks way better with the screen

Cookee

20-10-2009, 11:53 PM

Definitely with!

ashley nihell

21-10-2009, 12:42 AM

defo with no competion :seaman:

Tony Davis

21-10-2009, 12:51 AM

Would it pass scrutineering without the screen?

littlenige

21-10-2009, 04:50 AM

I agree with Marco about the bolsters - if you look closely at this shot, they were originally light metallic blue. It's hardly surprising that this part of the boat would deteriorate over time. Foam goes kind of dry & crunchy over time!

FLYING FISH

21-10-2009, 05:45 AM

Here it is in 1975 mode.

FLYING FISH

21-10-2009, 07:48 AM

Mike Bontoft

21-10-2009, 08:55 AM

Jon Fuller

21-10-2009, 09:12 AM

Wow, Thanks guys, great pictures. I was working under the deck last night and found where they had the antenna mounted on the right but then came across some filled in holes that arched around that were way forward of the deflector, and they had me scratching my head. After I posted yesterday I realized from the earlier picture that the bolster must of been change but could not find where to edit my post??????. This site is the first thing I check every morning to see whats going on in the offshore world. Historic of course. Thanks again.
I'll take some pictures soon. :cheers:

Mike, have you been using the extraordinary gallery from Graham? I don't think it was working when you joined, but is up again now. The stills are all there (nearly 4000), and we're in the process of re-populating the video archive.

Take a look round:

www.boatmad.com/gallery

.

Black_Tornado

21-10-2009, 01:56 PM

Despite in Crouse`s book saying Dry Martini II a 35FT ciggy won,a 1974 interview with Tim Powell refers to a 36ft ciggy being used,which could have been the red one in U.S. or the white one ex- Aeromarine.

So I wonder if you could get this confirmed for us Mr.Ciao,when Tim was out there with the ill fated ABO,was Bonomi`s boat the red one or the white one.
Of course it could even have been the white one with the cowled cockpit that became Yellowdrama II,but I doubt it.

My doubts on what DM Bonomi had brought in South America they were on the fact that was the 35' or the 36'(III).
On what 36' I don't have doubts instead.
Bonomi brought the new 36' to the VBV of the 1973. Then it brought it to the Dauphin D'Or where it won.That 36' it was then envoy in USA to dispute the end of season, while been racing with the old DM(I) in the races of the North where it mounted the first time the windscreen projected and built by Cigala&Bertinetti.
The DM (III) also it with the new and typical windscreen of the C&B won the Miami-Nassau in October 1973.
That red - DM (II) - ex Fino(I)-Red Vengeance remained always in Italy and at the end of 1973 she had put in sale together with the DM (I) and they were both modify as pleasure boats with cabin.
Already to the beginning of the 1974 Bonomi it had two boats only: the 36' DM(III) and the just launched 35'. With the 35' he intended to race some competitions in USA and with the 36' the rest of competitions.
Evidently before beginning the European season at Palma de Mallorca in May Bonomi made to pass the 36' for the South America.
What then the tactic was that before him Wishnick, Balestrieri, Rautbord and Gentry had used.

Black_Tornado

21-10-2009, 02:01 PM

Wow, Thanks guys, great pictures. I was working under the deck last night and found where they had the antenna mounted on the right but then came across some filled in holes that arched around that were way forward of the deflector, and they had me scratching my head. After I posted yesterday I realized from the earlier picture that the bolster must of been change but could not find where to edit my post??????. This site is the first thing I check every morning to see whats going on in the offshore world. Historic of course. Thanks again.
I'll take some pictures soon. :cheers:

Mike, HORBA site have several colours pics of your 35' in Bahamas 500 version without windscreen and then with the C&B style windscreen like the pic that Graham have posted above with a transparent in blue plex in the uppert side. So you can see the original bolster too.
See HORBA 1000 pics.

Black_Tornado

21-10-2009, 02:23 PM

Here it is in 1975 mode.

Look in this version 1975 the 35' brought the writing MerCruiser after from the 1972 Bonomi had been the ensign of the Kiekhaefer. And Bonomi missed the Title.
In the 1973 Balestrieri went to the Kiekhaefers after for years had been the ensign of the MerCruiser. He missed it too.
Irony of the history.

FLYING FISH

22-10-2009, 01:21 AM

From what you are saying Marco about Dry Martini III (the cowled canopy) doing the 1974 South American races,it`s ironic to think that both that boat and Abo (albeit the 2nd Abo) are both sitting within yards of each other at Drivers.
And talking of irony,I wonder why Swipewipes has used the same race numbers as those Maltese P1 boats.Spooky!

Black_Tornado

22-10-2009, 01:24 PM

Delta28

07-08-2010, 11:23 AM

Here are a few shots of the H19 36' Cigarette (III? - converted to a cruiser) entered for the C-T-C this year, but far from ready and looking a bit rusty in the nether regions... Gordon C was saying they'd have to work flat-out to have her ready after engine failures have left a big question-mark over her being able to take-part... all hands to the pumps?

If any of us can help, I'm sure we would.. Now, where's that lottery ticket again?

Delta28

07-08-2010, 11:29 AM

On the other hand, Mike's 35' looks fairly pristine... Just a few (rather coy) shots to tease, as I don't want to steal Mike's thunder... and he is rather busy at the moment!

But looking good...

littlenige

07-08-2010, 12:29 PM

You tease!!

lohring

08-08-2010, 08:11 AM

A video of its test runs last month.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etf1hr2YDKM

Lohring Miller

Black_Tornado

12-08-2010, 02:56 AM

Mike Bontoft

05-09-2010, 08:14 AM

I'm still convalescing, Who's up for some Martini resto pics? They are not for the faint of heart. More?
http://i54.tinypic.com/255qh6b.jpg

Black_Tornado

05-09-2010, 08:31 AM

More.

Mike Bontoft

05-09-2010, 09:05 AM

http://i54.tinypic.com/zit921.jpg
http://i55.tinypic.com/oaom7m.jpg
http://i51.tinypic.com/10hq00m.jpg
http://i52.tinypic.com/2ef2gz7.jpg
later. just sneezed, ya bugger!

Black_Tornado

05-09-2010, 09:19 AM

Cheers! Lyme Bay effect!:sick:

littlenige

05-09-2010, 09:24 AM

More the crowd shouted.................................Blimey that was a LOT more work than I anticipated looking at the first pics! Makes it all the more impressive now we have seen the end results..........

FLYING FISH

05-09-2010, 10:02 AM

QUESTION:-

Why has it gone from a fully restored boat in 2006 to the horror show you are posting Mike.

Sorry about the faint pdf,the original is the same.Little Nige passed it to me several years back.Extreme Boat articles never copy well.

And other pic for the archives,arriving at scrutineering.

lohring

05-09-2010, 11:25 AM

There's a big difference between a cosmetic restoration and a boat ready to really race. I now understand what a pounding these boats take. Sitting for 30 years with various delaminations that allow water in is hard on things that rot or corrode. From what I read this boat was raced hard for two seasons. It now has a new life, thanks to Mike.

Lohring Miller

Mike Bontoft

05-09-2010, 11:31 AM

I'm back, finally a use for all those pillows my wife piles on the bed, If I prop myself up with about 6 it feels pretty good. More pics.

http://i51.tinypic.com/2w53b4n.jpg
http://i56.tinypic.com/m9az5s.jpg
http://i52.tinypic.com/2o6jm.jpg

http://i52.tinypic.com/21kcsue.jpg
Even though everything looked good on the outside all the main bulkheads were bad so what got replaced was the bulk. forward of the front tanks, All 6 tanks, Bulk. in front and behind front tanks, Main engine bulkhead and 1/4 bulkheads between rear tanks. 8 pieces in total.
http://i52.tinypic.com/e1alb7.jpg

Now it starts to get scarey
http://i55.tinypic.com/a41shz.jpg
http://i53.tinypic.com/14io3h4.jpg
On the early 35 cig, this being #3 they used the 36 widebody deck and cut it to fit, no flange, just lay er on, cut and tab glass on the inside, problem is after many years the tabs begin to peel from the joint and then parts company. Fix was remove tabbing one section at a time, grind, replace and install 10-32 100 deg cs screws/nylocks every 4 inches around the perimeter to stop future peel. I don't mind glass work and have had plenty of experience but enough already! I went through 2 helpers that did not care for it at all.
http://i53.tinypic.com/kec7s6.jpg

Mike Bontoft

05-09-2010, 11:48 AM

Hi Graham, Great picture, Thanks.
Their restoration was shit! Never buy a boat from pictures even when they are as good as yours. When we spoke at Drivers you mentioned when I got the boat I started to post some photos and then it all went quiet. Now you know why. My dream turned into a nightmare.
But now she is better than new. :cheers:

Mike Bontoft

05-09-2010, 12:48 PM

It was a happy day when the glassing finally done.
http://i51.tinypic.com/2j0xisz.jpg
http://i51.tinypic.com/23m6f79.jpg
http://i55.tinypic.com/a9xphc.jpg
http://i53.tinypic.com/ogb9eo.jpg
http://i56.tinypic.com/6dual2.jpg
http://i55.tinypic.com/2u4pnr6.jpg
Ready for Cowes
http://i51.tinypic.com/jjwina.jpg

Mike Bontoft

05-09-2010, 01:23 PM

http://i54.tinypic.com/11vjy54.jpg
http://i51.tinypic.com/zv7ofm.jpg

Black_Tornado

05-09-2010, 03:33 PM

Interesting photos. I did not think the state of the boat were the ones that we see before your restoration.
From the images of 2-3 years ago(also of the engine bay) seemed in perfect order.
Very impressive the pic with the Uno and Dry together.

Mike Bontoft

05-09-2010, 06:27 PM

Hi Marco
Most of the problems started with the gas tanks which had never been replaced. As you can see in the states the tanks are foamed in place. In the restoration they had repaired the starboard rear tank by wrapping the lower half with an additional layer of aluminum. The front two tanks had been disconnected but the damage had already been done. Fuel was seeping into the foam and then wicking into the bulkheads on all tanks. The boat looked good on the surface but the bulkheads were soaked through with fuel and water. The separation between the deck and the hull did not become apparent until we got further into the restoration and got her completely stripped, In my opinion during their restoration they realize they had opened up a real can of worms and decided to dress her up, either that or they were complete hacks and should never have been working on such a boat in the first place. I will say that I do not think I have ever worked on a boat that had so many problems from engines to plumbing to bulkheads to steering, the whole thing was shagged. But I suppose some one else could of got her and thought she was in great shape. The saving grace in all this is she was a totally complete old school famous class one boat which had not been bastardized from its original form and as you know that is very hard to find these days. Oh and the price was right. It was a labor of love, more labor than I bargained for, but I know its right, a knowledge you can only really know when you have been completely through something and I feel very lucky to own such a important piece of racing history. Hope to meet you someday Marco, maybe CTC 2011. Cheers

Mike Bontoft

05-09-2010, 06:39 PM

http://i56.tinypic.com/alpv9t.jpg

DAREDEVIL

05-09-2010, 08:15 PM

NICE, if u ever need parts for those #3's let me know, a friend of mine is building the gears and shafts again here in the US...also those class 1 motors are cool with the kinsler fuel injection....on racefuel with 12:1 compression they make around 900 HP and 950 FPT !

U SHOULD BE FINE WITH THAT BOAT ANYWHERE IN ANY WATER !!!!!!:cheers:

Mike Bontoft

05-09-2010, 10:58 PM

Thanks Daredevil, I did not get chance to dyno them and I built them at 9 to1 for pump gas so they are going to be quite a bit back on that figure. I was talking to Mel Riggs about gears and he mentioned the gears were being made again. Any information on if they are as good/ better than the originals. I am running 3As on both boats.

FLYING FISH

06-09-2010, 12:59 AM

Hi Mike,

I thought Lohring was rather kind in his accessment,but your comments are straight to the point.
Out of curiosity,did you ever feel the need to contact Charlie over his Benihana restoration,just to see how that went.
The wonderful world of boat restoration and the ripping yarns that go with it.

When I saw the smashed screen on Uno,my first thought was a lack of top edge stiffening,but I see it`s as per the original.We never got involved in the screen mounting,but normally on boat screen, we would call for some sort of edge stiffening.Even Unowot didn`t have much either.Most odd.Then again I don`t think it went through the sort of punishment you had at the weekend.
I can`t recall a 40ft Shead hull submarining,although I have seen Canadian Moppie slide down a big sea in the 1971 race and stuff at slow motion into the next wave.This sort of feedback never surfaced (excuse the pun).
I got the impression Rob was driving the boat to finish,so at a slower speed perhaps it was more vunerable to clipping the next wave.Same as Swipewipes, which seemed to be on the edge of coping with some nasty seas until it ran out of luck and slowly sliced into a big wave.Of course no visors must have made things even worse for coping.

Jon Fuller

06-09-2010, 01:18 AM

Same as Swipewipes, which seemed to be on the edge of coping with some nasty seas until it ran out of luck and slowly sliced into a big wave.Of course no visors must have made things even worse for coping.

That was one of the last wet moments in that race, of 30 or more crossing the bay west>east, it was one of the more mild ones too, the one that took my helmet left us in the dark for what seemed like an age.. We simply didn't have the length, and / or bouyancy fwd to bridge them, or keep the sharp end out of the oggin. Most frustrating. You could feel that the first thing to touch the taller (& very steep) waves, was the rubrail/pointy bit, the forefoot just didn't get a chance to do it's work of 'recovery' before the inevitable was already happening. What we wouldn't have given for a few extra feet (or big, wide blunt bow, ala Scorpion) ho hum.

littlenige

06-09-2010, 01:28 AM

Mike, any regrets??

Just curious.

The photo's really tell the story in a way that make it clear just how much work was involved. A monster job!!

FLYING FISH

06-09-2010, 01:41 AM

That was one of the last wet moments in that race, of 30 or more crossing the bay west>east, it was one of the more mild ones too, the one that took my helmet left us in the dark for what seemed like an age.. We simply didn't have the length, and / or bouyancy fwd to bridge them, or keep the sharp end out of the oggin. Most frustrating. You could feel that the first thing to touch the taller (& very steep) waves, was the rubrail, the forefoot just didn't get a chance to do it's work of 'recovery' before the inevitable was already happening. What we wouldn't have given for a few extra feet (or big, wide blunt bow, ala Scorpion) ho hum.

So it`s a `Braveheart` style whale bow for 2011.Knowing your luck,it will be as flat as a pancake.

DAREDEVIL

06-09-2010, 06:34 AM

Jon Fuller

06-09-2010, 06:38 AM

So it`s a `Braveheart` style whale bow for 2011

Wash your mouth out with soap Mr Fish!!

Not only was that fugly, it was ferkin rib!! I'd rather take the smacks in the moosh.

Delta28

06-09-2010, 10:39 AM

Thought this should be on this thread too..

If I can quote Rob Gray, from the "Thunderbird in storage.." thread:

"The prize for guts goes to Bontoft. He breaks ribs after 45 minutes. I have broken ribs before - it is hard to stand and breathe. He decides to do another 4 hours of powerboat race in bad weather. Unbelieveable tribute to his father who would have been proud. He did the business."

Beside rigging and fettling two raceboats, both un-tested in racing for donkey's years...and both of them finish one of the most gruelling races to date...Mr Bontoft then puts-in a heroic display of driving (throttling) one of them...!

Mike...You've become one of the legends of this race

Delta28

06-09-2010, 10:43 AM

I thought this was very poignant...

Had a feeling this might be spurring-you-on

Mike Bontoft

07-09-2010, 04:53 PM

Steady on Ian, My helmet is a snug fit already. I thank everyone for the kind words though. I had an amazing 6 weeks in England and had so many great experiences. The guys at Drivers were great and super helpful. The Poker run was a riot, I've never been thrown out of a boat before but I came very close that day. Thanks for a great day out Rose, I will hang on tighter next time! Great fun working on Deans boat with Dave, Lots of tea breaks, something we don't have enough of in the states. Ian, I had a great time as we all did listening to your stories over dinner,:brown: Thanks Christian and (sorry I forgot your wife's name) for inviting me over. Glen it was great to meet you again, picking up the P1 boat from Cougars and having many laughs down at Lakeyard, good times!:brown:
Mike Mantle and Sue, for welcoming me into their home, great food, little spicy!lol, many drinks, many laughs, more wine than I have drunk in a long time.:brown:
Me and Mike running UNO over to Poole in some pretty crappy weather, amazing!,
and that was all in the lead up to the race,
I'm sure there was a lot of hard work in there somewhere but it all blended together to make for one of life's unforgettable experiences.
Three people I have not mentioned are My driver, Eric Krume, Mark Cordial and his dad. Without these three, Embassy would not have made the start line, They jumped in in the days leading up to the race and were instrumental in getting her running again. A massive thank you. I could not have done it without you. Cheers

Mike Bontoft

08-09-2010, 05:05 PM

Courtesy of Brigitte B. On our way out for the start
http://i56.tinypic.com/19us10.jpg

DAREDEVIL

10-09-2010, 10:15 PM

Courtesy of Brigitte B. On our way out for the start
http://i56.tinypic.com/19us10.jpg

Nice picture !!!!! :cheers:

Mike Bontoft

29-09-2010, 10:09 AM

Nigel, Any Regrets? I think the pictures say it all. In the words of a 7x champ, This boat is awesome.
http://i54.tinypic.com/312bqqa.jpg
Great photos courtesy of Chris Davis
http://i53.tinypic.com/nqeadc.jpg
My favorite, the boat never put a foot wrong. I definitely think, with more padding of course and some luck we could have squeezed her into the top 5
http://i51.tinypic.com/awoo42.jpg

Delta28

29-09-2010, 10:40 AM

Really nice pictures, Mike...

Fantastic boat.

Dunaruna

29-09-2010, 10:51 AM

Great Boat, Great Images.

That is where its at, well done Mike.

Cheers Duna

littlenige

29-09-2010, 11:50 AM

Oh my - those pictures are stunning! I was just curious Mike!

littlenige

01-10-2010, 10:39 AM

Mike on reflection my question was really in regard to the restoration rather than the actual purchase. i.e. did you start a job that you wished you hadn't?? Were there any jobs you didn't have time to get done in time? etc... chiz.

littlenige

03-10-2010, 03:57 AM

Mike PM'd me.

Don't think this has been posted here before - found this online.

http://tdn.com/sports/article_829a5e3e-adbc-11df-9118-001cc4c002e0.html

littlenige

03-10-2010, 04:00 AM

And just found this site:-

http://www.modelgasboats.com/forum/28-building-a-construction-picturesvideosprojects/12189-my-smokin-cigarette/

Mike Bontoft

14-10-2010, 07:29 PM

Restoration of Dry Martini
Ron Polli

He stared across the water at the Miami skyline but saw only an unfocused blur, lost in thought until the gentle flutter of a colorful sail slid in front of his view and made him alert to his surroundings. He stood on a pier between two rusty freighters of foreign flags. His mind entranced with thought and his body numb with pain. He curiously watching the sailboat pursue the wind and wondering if he should throw in the towel and buy a windbag boat so he could spend his weekends lazily sailing around Lake Como near his home in Italy, rather than racing around the globe on the UIM Offshore Racing Circuit.

He couldn't get the recording of the past few days to stop playing in his mind. Every time he relived the race in his head, a bead of sweat would form on his forehead, as his blood pressure would hit all time highs. His knees still ached from the brutal pounding and his right elbow was turning black and blue, pains he knew all too well and lived with every few weeks for most of the year. He was accustomed to the pain and never complained; but he wasn't accustomed to losing, especially by something so stupid as running out of gas with a full lap to go. He was far more accustomed to the sting of champagne sprayed in his eyes and fending off race groupies clawing for his attention. After two years as the UIM World Champion, Key West had beaten his body and soul. The boat was still in good shape, it just needed fuel; but he needed more than fuel, he needed to win. While racing in Key West, he endured one of the most grueling events he'd ever entered, and lost. The loss was colossal to his team, sponsor and his ego, allowing the UIM World Championship to slip through his fingers and over to his rival Wallace "Wally" Franz from Brazil. During that race, he not only lost his dominance, he lost something even more elusive and valuable, he lost his love for the sport. Mentally, he had thrown in the towel and retired, right there and then, standing on the shipping docks in Miami. He just didn't know it yet.

Two trucks came lumbering down the dock, a dually pulling a box trailer and the other a 35' Cigarette Race Boat called Dry Martini. The first truck passed him with a wave and headed to the first ship, the driver knew he was in a bad mood and was happy to see that his ship was ready to board. The second truck came to a stop so the driver could ask, "Carlo, where should I leave the boat?" Dr. Carlo Bonomi had been waiting at the shipping docks to watch as his team hardware got loaded onto freighters bound for Argentina, the next stop on the UIM tour.

He answered curtly, "Get it out of my sight. Put it around the corner until they are ready to load it on the ship." He was a young, proud, arrogant, Italian and handsome. A perfect recipe for a World Champion, but one that wasn't accustomed or happy about being anywhere near a freight dock.

Dr. Bonomi had two great assets in his camp during his early 70's racing campaign. He had Richie Powers on the sticks, and along with Richie came sponsorship from Kiekhaefer Aeromarine Motors. This is the company that Carl Kiekhaefer started after he resigned from Mercury/Brunswick. Carl had money and the best engine technology around. Carl enjoyed using Dry Martini as the proving ground for new Kiekhaefer high performance hardware. These were parts far better than the best that money could buy and Carl Kiekhaefer himself often designed them. There seemed to be no end to the amount of money Carl would spend to see that Dry Martini would end up in the winners circle, and it usually worked. Carl also enjoyed using the offshore races as his private battlefield for his war against Mercury/Brunswick. He loved beating them with his superior products and took every opportunity to kick their ass.

One of Carl's favorite inventions for Dry Martini was a pair of very special trim tabs with built in shock absorbers. While other boats destroyed their tabs in the big water races around South America, Carl made huge, heavy duty trim tabs with dual hydraulic cylinders and nitrogen filled accumulators between the cylinders. It looked like a ball on top of the tabs but it actually let the tabs move a bit by compressing the nitrogen gas in the ball. Carl was a farmer at heart and found this contraption on a John Deere tractor, with a little modification, it worked perfectly.

Fred Kiekhaefer has his own fond memories of those days "Those were heady days at Kiekhaefer Aeromarine Motors. My dad's 'Champion Maker' racing engines were very strong and dependable for their day. With Bonomi and Powers, we were winning almost every race. Dad was still very upset over his departure from Brunswick and Mercury, especially with the way "Brunswick broke up the best team in the history of the marine industry" -- to use his words. Beating Mercury, racing offshore on the world stage, was confirmation of Brunswick's mistake of "trying to kick Carl upstairs" -- nobody kicked Carl Kiekhaefer anywhere! 'See? We beat you again. You should have left things alone,' he would say, his ego only partly re-inflated. (Imagine the baggage I had to leave behind when I sold my own company to Brunswick 20 years later!")

As the first ship with the support truck and spare Kiekhaefer "Champion Maker" engines slid away from the dock, Dry Martini sat in the staging lot awaiting loading onto the next ship. A piece of cargo like that sitting amongst the cartons of freight quickly became the topic of conversation between the longshoremen. Some of them even recognized Carlo from the recent newspaper articles about the brutal Key West races. Carlo soon found himself talking with the dockworkers explaining why he lost the day prior in Key West. He was not a man to speak with dockworkers and he definitely didn't want to discuss why he lost. He just wanted to see that damn boat get aboard the ship so it would be out of his sight for a few months. He needed to return to Italy and heal. At this moment, he wasn't even sure if he'd be going to Argentina to race it, he really didn't want to anymore. He'd won it all and had nothing more to prove.

One of the younger dockhands was really taken by the sleek Cigarette hull and came up to Carlo and asked, "Wow, that's some boat. How much is she worth." Over the years that question had been asked a thousand times and the answer always changed with the boat's point standing and Carlo's mood. This time Carlo said, "If we had won yesterday, she'd be worth a whole lot more, but right now if someone handed me twenty five grand, I'd sell her without ever looking back." With that, John Amato and Sal Scafieti, businessmen from New Jersey who had been admiring the boat and overheard the conversation walked over to Carlo. Conveniently, John had twenty-five large burning a hole in his pocket and couldn't resist the proposal that Carlo threw out to the crowd of dockworkers, never expecting anyone within earshot to respond. John walked up, opened Carlo's hand and filled it with cash. The deal was done, on the spot, no titles to sign, no warrantee to transfer, just take the boat and run. The new owner backed up his truck, hooked up the trailer and got the hell out of Miami before Carlo came to his senses. He eventually trailered Dry Martini to his shop in Wall New Jersey where the boat sat unused from 1975 to 1999.

Richie Powers lived through it all as Carlo's throttleman and chief mechanic. In the 70s, Richie was a hired gun that could almost guarantee wins, think of him as an old school Johnny Tomlinson. Once you get Richie talking about the old days, his eyes go wide and he relives the moment. "After we won the 1974 UIM World Championship, along with Italian, European, and South American Championships, Bonomi decided to retire from offshore racing, stating that he had more than accomplished everything he wanted in the three years he was involved. Over the three years Bonomi raced he had a total of four Dry Martini boats, 3-36` and the newest 35`. We had approximately 20 sterndrives complete with transom plates, as well as 20 complete engines which were always flying back and fourth from Europe to Wisconsin for rebuilding after every race, as well as full compliment of spare parts, including over 20 sets of propellers. Team Dry Martini/Bonomi/Powers was in existence for two years, and was one of the winningest teams in the history of offshore, we ran as many as 12 to 18 races per year in Europe and America, South America, as we raced for three championships. European, UIM, Italian, and South American, which we won all of.

I hooked Carlo up with Gene Lanham for that race in Key West as I was committed to race with another team that year. We moved all the equipment to Lanhams shop, where he prepared the boat for Key West, I think they switched to Mercruiser engines for that race which was the competition to Aeromarine, there in was the problem. In the race they actually ran out of fuel due to they way they connected the fuel lines to the new motors. They used the return line as the feed and used the feed line as the return. This meant it was drawing fuel from the hose that didn't reach to the bottom of the tank. They could only access 3/4 of the tank's capacity. When Carlo found out about the fuel discrepancy he told Lanham that I probably sabotaged the boat so he would not win, which really hurt me, and also pissed me off so I won the UIM worlds an additional two more years in a row, just to show him, also won Italian, European, and South American championships."

The interesting thing is that no one gave a second thought to the fresh set of engines and support vehicle that were on their way to Argentina aboard the cargo ship. With the sale of Dry Martini, Carlo's racing career came to an abrupt conclusion. He never gave a second thought about those engines once the boat was sold, plus they actually belonged to Carl Kiekhaefer. The buyer had gotten the boat for a steal even though the original engines had already been removed and were on their way back to Fond du Lac for a rebuild. It was like the end of a bad marriage, the money was distributed and everyone went their separate ways, cutting their losses. It was the end of an era.

In 1999, John Amato's wife was selling Dry Martini as part of a divorce settlement. She made some calls to local performance shops looking for advise on selling the boat and to find out what it might be worth. One of her calls rang the phone at Kurt's Marine and Competition Center in Brick, NJ. Kurt Berger was in the office and took the call. Kurt's eye's lit up as Mrs. Amato talked about some boat that had been a thorn in her side for years. Kurt had always admired the old Cigarette and had often wondered what happened to it after that fateful race in Key West. He bought the boat during that phone call and then brought it back to his yard for a complete refit. During the call, Kurt listened as Mrs. Amato relayed the story about the sale at the Miami docks and passed along a few remaining scraps of paper, one with the name of a shipping company and manifest. After hearing the story Kurt started to wonder what happened to the spare Kiekhaefer Aeromarine engines.

Kurt is a methodical and detail oriented person. He took the time to track down the original shipping company, then by using the date, they tracked down the ship, which led to the shipment and port of entry. Could he really locate the lost engines? It turns out that the people of Argentina are huge offshore racing fans. They knew that the engines would need to be stored for a few months before the race in January, and they knew that they belonged to Carlo Bonomi, two time UIM World Champion so the engines were treated like the property of royalty. They wrapped the engines in oil soaked blankets and took them to a cave high in the Andes Mountains. Once mummified, the engines were stored deep inside a cave where time stands still. This particular cave is known for its total lack of humidity, temperature change or air movement. Nothing ages or rusts in this particular cave, it's been used for storage of only the most important items for hundreds of years.

After mountains of paperwork were moved back and forth, and a shipping charge with five digits before the decimal, the engines came out of their dark existence and found their way to the shop floor of Kurt's Marine. The engines were really technological marvels, no wonder they won so many races. No belts of any kind existed on these motors, everything was internally gear driven for sustained high-speed operation. Twisted fuel injection stacks took the place of carburetors giving the engines a menacing profile. Kurt said, "When they arrived and we opened the crates, it was like opening a time capsule, something was coming back to life from the past. We unwrapped the oily blankets then just stood back and stared at them for a while. They were perfect, the paint wasn't even chipped, I bet they'd turn right over. It was worth the effort to retrieve them, but I doubt I'll ever run them. They belong in a museum."

Once at Kurt's Marine, Dry Martini underwent a cosmetic and mechanical makeover that lasted two years. Kurt wanted to keep it as original as possible so many of the gauges and pumps had to be rebuilt and kept in their original housings. The power was replaced with a pair of Bandit Racing engines and the Kiekhaefer drives were torn apart and rebuilt with custom made gears since parts for these drives are no longer available.

The guys at Kurt's Marine did a great job of putting Dry Martini back together. Once they made her all pretty again, they got a chance to race her a few times in the OPA races in Point Pleasant Beach New Jersey. Danny Crank, Eddie Frielinghaus and Tom Moulis had the pleasure of making the old girl fly while Kurt raced in other more modern boats during the same races. In fact the one time Kurt tried to use the boat in a Poker Run, he had a fuel pump failure and didn't even make the first card stop.

Recently a new group has been formed, the Historic Offshore Race Boat Association (HORBA www.historicraceboats.com ) which is now looking for members with old race boats who want to bring them out and let them dance one more time. Charlie McCarthy founded the new group out of his love for boats of his era. Charlie owns the Banana Boat Company and had the honor of racing during Offshore's heyday shoulder to shoulder with the likes of Don Aronow and Dr Carlo Bonomi. Over the winter, Charlie met his old friend, Billy Frenz at the NY Boat Show. Billy is the producer of the NYC Poker Run and he invited Charlie to use the NY Run as the inaugural event for the fledgling Historic Race Boat club.

Hearing about the new club and knowing Kurt had the perfect boat for the occasion, a few phone calls later and we were scheduled for an afternoon of fun and excitement running Dry Martini in the New York City Poker Run. The old girl hadn't run since it's last race nearly two years ago. It took another dedicated effort from Danny, Eddie and Tom to make the old girl Poker Run Ready.

The New York Poker Run is one of our local poker runs so we left at 7am and trailered the boat up the NJ Turnpike to the Liberty State Landing. Upon arrival, the travel lift took Dry Martini from her cradle and gently placed her in the water. Danny and Eddie took care of everything and brought the boat into our reserved slip along Cigarette row. Danny did a masterful job of working the crash boxes in close quarters and had everyone around us keeping an eye on the only boat yet to be tied up. Sure there were lots of bright shiny Outerlimits and brand new Top Guns tied up all around us, but all eyes went to our ride as she rotated and backed into the finger dock with the finesse of a Bull in a China shop.

Nothing attracts attention at a Poker Run more than something out of the ordinary. When was the last time you saw engines with injection stacks like that? This is pure race boat, no amenities what so ever, just a small hole in the helm bulkhead to throw small items on top of the gas tanks. The bolsters are more like pods, cushioned all the way around and form fitting. This boat was built to crush waves, and hold it occupants in place, nothing more.

As soon as the drivers meeting was over, hundreds of engines fired to life. The volume increased like someone was turning a knob as a thousand cylinders thundered to life through open exhaust. It was time for Team Martini to climb into the office and make the old girl dance to one more song. Kurt Berger, Throttleman – Ron Polli, Driver – Joann Busciglio, Navigator. Our "office" was a three-man bolster setup, center steering, throttles to port and navigator to starboard. We waited until the docks cleared out as the old Kinsler mechanical fuel injection system and crash box trannies make this boat a handful around the docks. We slid into our individually bolstered pods and had the boat walked out of the slip before firing one engine. She was built to run unhampered in open water and has never been graceful around the docks. We navigated the tight turns by blipping the starboard motor in reverse and got out into the main channel, at the back of the pack and ready to pass everyone.

It was a throwback in time. What other hands have held this wheel? I thought to myself while staring at the vacant space that once held the twin towers. We barely got on plane and Kurt started fiddling with the tabs and drives. With the monster flaps slightly deployed and the Kiekhaefer drives tucked in, we made our way up the Hudson River in parade fashion. While the other boats flew American Flags, Kurt thought that the flag of Italy would be more appropriate given our boat's lineage. We worked our way through the fleet and caught up to the pack of boats that were somewhat in line with the Pace Boat. We were still a few miles south of the George Washington Bridge and we picked a lane between Pete Mazzo's gorgeous new 46' Outerlimits with a pair of 850s from Mercury Racing and a 42' Fountain Poker Run edition with unknown power, but plenty of it judging by the number six drives on the stern. We had three miles to go before we got to the bridge, so the anticipation for the speed run from bridge to bridge had plenty of time to build.

The slow speed run from the pits at Liberty Landing in Jersey City, New Jersey to the George Washington Bridge was the most difficult part of this run. The pace boat was Paul Fiore's 42' Legacy. Somehow these big Outerlimits have the ability to stay on plane at very slow speeds, they seem to glide along at unnaturally slow speeds while maintaining a level attitude. It was just the opposite for our old school Cig. We needed to run at least 30 mph to get the bow down while the dozen or so Outerlimits around us glided along on top of the water at just 20mph (or maybe less). It was a chore to keep our lane between Mazzo and the Fountain as both the Fountain and our ride had to fall back, almost off plane, then speed back up to keep our place on the front line.

Kurt has raced for the last 28 years but this was his first NYC Poker Run. As we got close to the GWB, I told Kurt to watch out because some guys have been known to jump this start. (I've done this run before.) Kurt asked what the penalty was for jumping the start. It was clear what was in his mind. He wanted Mazzo, if only for a few seconds. With our navigator, Joanne, watching the pace boat intently for a color change, Kurt was watching Mazzo on his left and I was watching the Fountain on our right. We were within a hundred feet of the bridge, you knew at any moment the flag would go green and everyone was beyond ready. We entered the shadow of the bridge and the Fountain that had been laying back came flying up on our right and pulled off the gas just as they slid past. Kurt and Mazzo saw this and both nailed the gas for a second and pulled off. The Fountain hit it again thinking we were going and then quickly pulled back just as Kurt's tolerance expired, we were under the bridge by now, ahead of the pace boat and Kurt pushed the sticks to their stops and held them there. With a split second advantage we pulled ahead of Mazzo, the Fountain and the entire fleet. The entire Hudson was before us, smooth water void of any traffic as we tore up the water at eighty-five miles per hour with the engines spinning at 6500rpms. The old girl was doing her thing and we were in our glory, ahead of the fleet and riding high. The boat was amazing. No chine walking, no porpoising, just nose down and hunting for the next wave. For twenty seconds, we held the lead, then Mazzo flew by hosing us down and then the Fountain blasted past leaving us to contend with their converging wakes. JetSet came from the right with an explosion of spray that left us sucking kerosene fumes from the turbine engines. As the faster boats blew by us, Kurt continued to hold down the sticks while I sawed on the wheel, counter steering to the way the hull moved in an attempt to keep the deck level. Easier said than done. After about five miles, Kurt pulled back and we settled into a 5000-rpm cruise. We had nothing to prove, this wasn't a race, so we enjoyed a quick ride up and down the Hudson, stopping at the two card stops along the way.

Back at the docks, we tied up at the fuel dock, where the winner's always tie up. Upon our arrival, we expecting Champaign to explode into the air and cheers from thousands of fans to help celebration our win, but that was not to be on this day. Explosions of Champaign are reserved for Champions and today we were just the boat's caretakers going for a joy ride and playing a hand of poker. It was an honor to spend a day in one of Don Aronow's and Carl Kiekhaefer's greatest creation. Hopefully they were watching and smiling down upon us today as we enjoyed standing in their footprints and letting Dry Martini run another day.

I'm not sure how accurate the facts above are but I did get the Kiekhaefer engines mentioned above with Martini and there was Italian newspaper stuffed in the injector stacks.
When I got them they were in pieces and had not been looked after well, Just a pile of engine parts,many rusty. There was not sufficient time to include these into the restoration, they are complicated and their assembly would have been very time consuming especially considering their condition.
My plan is to now build these engines up documenting the build on a new thread "Anatomy of a Kiekaefer Champion Maker 625 racing engine. It will take the build from bare block to a dyno run. As far as I know these will be the only pair of Kiekhaefer Champion maker engines in existence that are complete and running.

What did I just take on :headbang: Ah well I've said it so here goes!!!!! Wish me luck

Delta28

15-10-2010, 01:59 AM

My plan is to now build these engines up documenting the build on a new thread "Anatomy of a Kiekaefer Champion Maker 625 racing engine. It will take the build from bare block to a dyno run. As far as I know these will be the only pair of Kiekhaefer Champion maker engines in existence that are complete and running.

What did I just take on :headbang: Ah well I've said it so here goes!!!!! Wish me luck

Wishing you all the luck in the world, Mike... Just wish we could get you all the time in it too...!

Think you've just won the "Longest post in the world award" - hope the server's up-to-it...( I think it's pictures that can cause problems though..) Good background story, anyhow.

Really looking forward to seeing the engine's phoenix-like reconstruction, it should be very informative and a great record for posterity. Thankyou for taking-it-on...!

Cheers, ian