Does any one have any knowledge of Roger Clarks forray into powerboat racing in the early 70's especially with a 21ft FLETCHER GT.
Believed to be raced in the Putney Calais and Cowes Torquay...
any pics articles etc would be welcome for restorer's
I belive in the late 70,s Roger Clark ownd a 23ft Pantom with a 225 merury outboard. As far as I can remember it was a pale blue and was called Super Soft in pink wrighting, I think this was because it was sponcerd by the hair spray people. In the early eightys it was sold to a chap called Grant who used to tow it with a Matra Rancho. I may have a 35mm negative of it somewhere I will see if I can find it.
Does any one have any knowledge of Roger Clarks forray into powerboat racing in the early 70's especially with a 21ft FLETCHER GT.
Believed to be raced in the Putney Calais and Cowes Torquay...
any pics articles etc would be welcome for restorer's
Mike
COPOC
Brian Hendicott can give you all the details you need. I have his phone number if you want??
That took a bit of tracking down.It`s one of those boats that didn`t seem to distinguish itself,so no record of it in the race result info I have as it probably kept retiring.I tracked it down in a piece of cine I had where it took part in the 1976 Camden and Putney/Calais.In the Round the Island race of 1976 it is in the entry list as a Phantom 23 No18 with 2 x 150hp mercs.In the cine shot it`s No28 and is a light blue what looks like a Fletcher 21ft with 2 x Mercs.Bendy should know as he co drove with Roger Clark.
Thank you for your responses
if you could send Brians phone no to TOMMYSTBOLT@AOL.COM
will put owners in touch.
Sorry for original misleading type it was the info passed to me but now we know it is certainly a Phantom 23
thanks
From memory Roger started boat racing around about 1972 the boat was No 424 it was pale blue, class 3D, Phantom 23 I think, 2 x merc 150. It was called Uniflo as it was sponsored by Esso and Jamie Bennett navigated for him at some stage.
He finished 2nd overall in the 1972 or 1973 Needles trophy just behind Keith Dallas in a 3D Cougar Aristocat because all the big boats had mechanical issues it was a long and very rough race hence the strange result.
Crappy pics but even Mr.Fuller wouldn`t put it down as the boat of the century.He must have had two boats that year, unless the one in the pic was another driver with same sponsorship.No pic of the Phantom.
Mr.Clark drove a real boat (Avenger 21) prior to that Unifo Phantom 23.
That Uniflo (1973-75) had a right old mix on the back.2 x150 Merc + 1 x 65 Merc.
See Gallery for Uniflo and Vita Power.
As I now have everbody's attention perhaps we could try and dig something out on The Dewsbury Flyer or the Flying Dewsbury 21/23 ft Tremlett inboard outboard raced by Keith Schellenberg.
could make someone else ery happy.