hydrospeed77
10-01-2020, 06:58 PM
Thanks to David Tenney (son to Bill Tenney) for supplying the biography, letter and photos. The link below the bio tells the story on Scott-Atwater’s attempt for a speed record and Bill Tenney’s part in the project.
Bill Tenney majored in Sociology at Yale. His engineering abilities were all self taught.
We are all familiar with the saying “the apple didn’t fall far from the tree”. David Tenney is a national champion in the 125H class. Prior to entering boat racing he was seriously involved in cart racing. Although David has retired from the driving part of boat racing he still campaigns top notch 125H equipment with David Jones as the lead driver. Daughter Susan has a collection of old outboard engines including some that replicate what her dad would have raced in the early days.
It is well known in boat racing Bill Tenney also raced in Europe during his career. The Seine River boat race in Paris, France was quite well known. One year Bill paid all the expenses for Walt Blankenstein to help him at this event. In the mornings Bill enjoyed reading the newspaper without other interruptions. At breakfast in Paris at the hotel Bill started reading the paper and Walt engaged in “talking up a storm”. Bill conveyed his displeasure as he wanted quiet. Walt conveyed his displeasure by going to his room, gathering his luggage and leaving for the U.S. leaving Bill high and dry. Bill eventually got some Italian boat racers to help him for the race. No doubt the language barrier and food were not to Walt’s liking. However, the discussion that morning at the table was the “straw that broke the camels back”. The actual word for word discussion would probably not be printable.
Bill Tenney majored in Sociology at Yale. His engineering abilities were all self taught.
We are all familiar with the saying “the apple didn’t fall far from the tree”. David Tenney is a national champion in the 125H class. Prior to entering boat racing he was seriously involved in cart racing. Although David has retired from the driving part of boat racing he still campaigns top notch 125H equipment with David Jones as the lead driver. Daughter Susan has a collection of old outboard engines including some that replicate what her dad would have raced in the early days.
It is well known in boat racing Bill Tenney also raced in Europe during his career. The Seine River boat race in Paris, France was quite well known. One year Bill paid all the expenses for Walt Blankenstein to help him at this event. In the mornings Bill enjoyed reading the newspaper without other interruptions. At breakfast in Paris at the hotel Bill started reading the paper and Walt engaged in “talking up a storm”. Bill conveyed his displeasure as he wanted quiet. Walt conveyed his displeasure by going to his room, gathering his luggage and leaving for the U.S. leaving Bill high and dry. Bill eventually got some Italian boat racers to help him for the race. No doubt the language barrier and food were not to Walt’s liking. However, the discussion that morning at the table was the “straw that broke the camels back”. The actual word for word discussion would probably not be printable.