Wilkes Marine.....

[Ron Hill]

Sometimes, I actually think Jim Wilkes likes me.....then other times....WELL..

Wilke's shop is just about the V-Drive capital of the world...well, maybe Orange County....seems I may need to kiss up to Jim MORE OFTEN as it appears I may have a new location.......NEXT DOOR........(I didn't tell Jim.....as he's a little over weight and has a lot of pressure on him from HotBoat Magazine and all, wouldn't want him to drop dead cause of me....)...

He's got at least two great things going for him, ONE IS BOUNCEY and the other is Brian Wilson....

Seems Bouncey will have his Rayson Craft GN on the water this year, now that he won't be working "FULL TIME" on Rudy's GN-9. YOUNG DENNIS Rankin will have a New Rayson GN out of the WILKES MARINE CAMP, also...

There are rumors, that I started, that Jim Wilkes and I will team for Parker, next year.


Bouncey was a little pissy with me as he didn't have time to straighten his beard...

ADD: Trtuth is, I know Brian and Bouncey like me and that is ALL THAT REALLY MATTERS!

Last ADD; Looks Jim has lost some weight, maybe he will be ready for Parker 2007!!!!

[Doug Hall Y51]

Hey Ron, next time you see Jim tell him I said hi. I remember him when I lived with dad out there. He may not remember me that well but I remember him being a very nice guy. Also tell Brian I said hi. Havent seen him since I ran around with him and his brothers. Thanks, Doug

[Ron Hill]

My friends are opening a foundry next to Wlikes Marine....I may rent some space from them. If I do that, I'll be over driving everyone crazy at Wilkes Marine....

Say "Hello" to your dad and all...

[Ron Hill]

Doug, for got to sy hello for you...but, I may go back tomorrow...I think, Brian has seen the pictures I posted...


Big Jim is working on his LEE TUNEL, making break away pickle forks and is going to RACE FORMULa 150.....Bouncey is working on is GN and Brian Wilson will be the driver..

Jim has many memories from racing, and some of these memories are pictured on the walls of his shop...Here are a few I took...I should just make him "SIT DOWN" with me and we could post a few hundred of his pictures...

[bill b]

The pictures posted of bearded man ,is that Bouncy? otherwize Known as Bjorn. If so tell him hi from Bill his old boss in Fl.

[Ron Hill]

I first met Bouncey in 1977. He's been a TRUE FRIEND ever since. He's always been a supporter of me. He's been a great friend to the SPORT of Boat Racing. He can build engines as good as anyone in America.....He's very humble, and would never tell you what he can do...

I will tell him Hello from his old Boss.....

Bjorn is his REAL name....but he was always bouncing around....Bjorn and Bouncey....Bjorn didn't fit as well as Bouncey!!!!

Welcome to BRF!!!!

[bill b]

Wish him a happy Bun day and I hope His boat does not have termites
Bill

[bill b]

How is Bouncey's GN coming along? Also are there any South Fl, Flat bottom racers on this site from the late 60 and 70's
Bill B

[Ron Hill]

Saw Bouncey yesterday...Wilkes keeps him pretty busy. I may see him again today. He asked me to ask you, something about an Easter Bunny???

Some pictures around here of Duff Daily in the 60's and 70's....always looking for more pictures.

Bouncey's GN is what keeps him "MOVING AHEAD"....not sure he will see water with it for a few more years. Dennis Rankin is working on a GN, but drove Steve Earl's Super Stock at Parker and the K-5....Don't see Dennis working too fast on his GN when he's got a couple of SUPER rides.... and by the way, Dennis drove like a CHAMP....Daddy Rankin should have been proud! The Young Wild Child looked good!

[bill b]

Tell Bouncey that I have CRS syndrome and may not remember.
What you said about his engine ability I could not agree more with.
But above all his loyalty and dedication is way above the norm.
I do not remember how many time he has Slept in or under a boat,
not wanting to quit tell it was ready.
On a lighter note, does he still use TP to clean his engine parts??
Bill B

[Ming]

Saw Bouncey yesterday...Wilkes keeps him pretty busy. I may see him again today. He asked me to ask you, something about an Easter Bunny???

Some pictures around here of Duff Daily in the 60's and 70's....always looking for more pictures.

Bouncey's GN is what keeps him "MOVING AHEAD"....not sure he will see water with it for a few more years. Dennis Rankin is working on a GN, but drove Steve Earl's Super Stock at Parker and the K-5....Don't see Dennis working too fast on his GN when he's got a couple of SUPER rides.... and by the way, Dennis drove like a CHAMP....Daddy Rankin should have been proud! The Young Wild Child looked good!

I have a s--t load of pictures and programs from the 70s & 80s of endurance boats, but I don't know how to post them. If there is anyone that wants to post them I could scan & email them.

Ming

[whale]

Ming, I will post them for you you can email them to me at whale1107@comcast.net.

[steve suhovy]

I hope this works! First post here, anyways I have a 1959 patterson first bought from Fred Galante in Visalia, Ca. in 1970, He raced it since it was new, I was told it ran a 454 big block with a blower. I would be wondering what it might be worth today. It's all oringal with a 389 olds bored to a 422 Isky race cam, pressurized aircraft fuel cells, six Stromberg carbs, (six pack), Casili V-drive,Adj. Cavitation plate., and much more. it floats! Its in decent cond.

[Skoontz]

That's cool...Plan B is a '59 Raysoncraft. Awesome looking boat just as your Patterson is. One of the guys in region 12 whose name escaped me runs a '63 Patterson, yellow/wood...love them oldies!

[steve suhovy]

ok thank you, where else should i post my boat, for reply' s as to what its worth?
Thank You in Advance for your reply!

[whale]

Bill B if you are ( Barnhart ) I have a question for you. BTY, Buz said HI

[bill b]

Bill B if you are ( Barnhart ) I have a question for you. BTY, Buz said HI


its me
Whats your question?
Buz??

Bill

[whale]

Buz MacDowell in West Palm Beach said to tell you hello. Bounce is helping me restore GN 17 and I have some questions for you about some of the past owners. If you will send me your phone number I will call and ask some questions. Please send to whale@cdc.net......thanks, wayne

[buz macdowell]

Hey Bill ,I use to come down to your'e shop with Bill Baker the aluminum welder & "Motor" the 400 lb dude...after my crash on the highway...went to Miami and tested the boat with you and Steve Goodman (he had the Arias in his boat at that time)...The last time that I saw you was at Lake X around 1985 when I brought the old 40' Cigarette Sunoco Dx to be straightened out by Swebbie,after a Ron Dollar "Deal"....you were in a boat in the garage there....I had just put quad 2.4's on the boat....Whale is trying to find out some history on a wood decker that I think might have belonged to Goodman..I have been asking around, but no luck yet... I still have a 1978 Raysoncraft. ...just can't seem to get it out of my system...Hell,...Been trying to get to Parker since 1967.....Cya Buz

[Ron Hill]

Jim Wilkes asked if anyone know where Steve Goodman is???

Rocky Aoki at Crazy Horse Campground's GN race....

[sleekcraft80]

My brother might know the whereabouts of some of the old GN racers. He was the mechanic and sometimes driver for GN-37 "Inlay". PM me and I will give you his email.
Jeff

[sleekcraft80]

Actually he is a member here and goes by jengle37. He also has a web page that shows alot of the 70s GN boats

[whale]

Thanks I sent him an email.