Miss Nova Arts - Page 2

Ciao · 01-11-2005, 01:51 AM

I seem to remember Ray Stapley telling me that Roger Kennedy was his favourite driver in a Stapley Talon Cat. He used to tell a story of incredible speeds achieved by Kennedy in a London Calais London race. (Down the Thames).
The Stapley story is typical of British eccentricity.
Ray worked out of a small workshop in Kent.
He designed all of his cats “on the back of a fag packet”.
He had a young apprentice working for him called Neil Holmes, whom he christened “Ethel” (does F*** all!).
His boats competed in 3B, 3C and 3D. Stapley’s most successful driver was Peter Bloomfield who won races and championships in 3C and D boats, although Ray was grudging to give credit to Bloomfield – he was a far too cautious and an analytical driver for Ray’s maverick taste – he wanted to see his boats raced past the limit, and if they blew over…well it made for a great story in the workshop on a Monday morning!
Whilst Cougar Marine went from strength to strength in the early 80’s, Ray retreated from building race boats – he was comfortable with the thought that he could “out design and build” any competitor.
Ray was very vocal on the new breed of cats, “you see the angle of attack on that tunnel, and well they copied right off me!” When you look at the latest Class One cats, they do remind me of Stapley’s lines (Victory probably use a PC rather than a packet of Senior Service!)
As other posts on this forum have mentioned, Ray’s mono design was moulded and sold in GRP as a Driver Sports Boat, in the late 70’s early 80’s.
In 1986 Ray dabbled again with building, he now had the input and motivation from his son Jon, a 3B version, for the author of this post, was built and designed and it won its first race, and the second, and the third.

Ray Stapley R.I.P. Racer - Engineer - Boat-Designer - Boat Builder

Jon Fuller · 01-11-2005, 08:42 AM

1990 London>Ramsgate.

'Locking out'

Jon Fuller · 01-11-2005, 08:43 AM

Tower Bridge

....Fays One, ....BRUT (cruiser), .....BRUT (M), ......Debenhams.................

SplitPin · 01-11-2005, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ciao
The Stapley story is typical of British eccentricity.
Ray worked out of a small workshop in Kent.
He designed all of his cats “on the back of a fag packet”.
He had a young apprentice working for him called Neil Holmes, whom he christened “Ethel” (does F*** all!).

Ray Stapley R.I.P. Racer - Engineer - Boat-Designer - Boat Builder

Ironicly my elder brother Ian went for the same job as Neil, The rest is history although Ian did race an 18' Taloncat for a few seasons.

Blueprint · 01-11-2005, 09:22 PM

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Jon Fuller
[B]I thought the 1975 Putney-Calais-Putney, 4 litre was won by Steve Baker and his father, in a 23 with a pair of 'tower of Power' Mercs!

65mph average over 253 miles.

Oh O.k .....Now I look at it the info I have says first leg only.

Blueprint · 01-11-2005, 09:52 PM

Just found a great pic of the 3c Taloncat 'Pussefoot'

Ciao · 03-11-2005, 12:20 AM

An average days work for a Stapley Cat...

Jon Fuller · 03-11-2005, 08:32 AM

Ouch

Jon Fuller · 03-11-2005, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Blueprint
Just found a great pic of the 3c Taloncat 'Pussefoot'

???? It's got a 'D' on the side. And I think that motor is one of a pair, other obscured.

Adam · 03-11-2005, 09:19 AM

That 'D' is a zero - definately a 3C boat

Jon Fuller · 03-11-2005, 09:47 AM

Ah, right

SplitPin · 03-11-2005, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ciao
An average days work for a Stapley Cat...

My brother Ian was the navigator of Miss Behaviour when this accident happened at Allhallows July 1981 I think. Apparently they caught the wash from a tanker which had just gone down the main channel. It was around the Mid Swatch mark so the surrounding sandbars didn't help matters. Ian took the force of the driver, Nick Shipway, complete with steering controls in the face as Nick left the boat whille it was on its side. Ian got thrown out as the boat finished its roll. It hit him across the thighs. A trip to Medway Accident followed.

SplitPin · 03-11-2005, 09:53 AM

I also think that Puss - C - Foot became Miss Behaviour. I will find out from Ian.

Tony Davis · 03-11-2005, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by SplitPin
the driver, Nick Shipway,

I remember him, I helped get his 4 litre cat off the beach at Allhallows (I think) It was the old Aquaglide, Aristocat, Red Rooster etc!

BluFin · 03-11-2005, 10:31 AM

Think it was Concord in between if I remember "Terry Evans"

SplitPin · 03-11-2005, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SplitPin
the driver, Nick Shipway,

After Ian went racing with Clive Jones, I think it was Rob Andrews who took over the naviguesser's seat before going on to race in his Marshan "Privateer".

BluFin · 03-11-2005, 09:32 PM

Peter Bloom, in the start line, Oh I loved those starts with 50 + starters. Water boil or what !!!!

Ciao · 03-11-2005, 10:14 PM

How we never had a serious accident I will never know! Boats hooking, falling into huge wakes left by class one monos, bad visibility due to someone trimming out in front of you!
Them were the days!
Thought Pobjoy Mint Two (Bloomers) was quicker than 74 mph – pretty slow for a twin 3D cat? But as the P25’s were only running 65 it still gave him plenty in hand, as can be witnessed on the Brixham 1981 video…Bloomers leaving Clarke for dead, in the last two miles of the race.
Where is Peter now?

MrRob · 03-11-2005, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Blueprint
Just found a great pic of the 3c Taloncat 'Pussefoot'

That must be such a massive buzz!

Blueprint · 03-11-2005, 10:26 PM

Rolling start off Bournemouth.