Photos from the Scotti collection

[Miss BK]

Massimo Scotti just emailed these pictures to me, from his late father's (Cesare Scotti's) collection.

I've given Massi this website address - hopefully he'll be able to join us here one day!

Enjoy!

1. Cesare Scotti 1968 (Val's note: This was my very first boat race!)
2. Bristol England 1974
3. Cesare and Jimbo McConnell 1968
4. Cousins: Cesare and Renato Molinari 1971

[Miss BK]

1. Jimbo McConnell and Ron Hill
2. Jimbo with the Wankel rotary engine
3. Jimbo about to take a bath in the picklefork Scotti Craft

[Miss BK]

1. Miami 1969
2. 1973 Mike Downard in the rotary Wankel
3. Paris 1973-74

[Miss BK]

1. Ron Hill/Mike Wallace (Mike Wallace at the wheel)-1971
2. Rotary Wankel Evinrude - 1973
3. 1973 - Jimbo McConnell, Bob Spalding, Tom Posey

[Miss BK]

1. Jimbo & Tom Posey, 1973
2. Paris - 1974 - where the great Cesare Scotti lost his life.
3. Cesare Scotti - Paris 1974
4. Cesare Scotti - Paris 1974

[Miss BK]

In the picture of the start of the race above, you can see Cesare Scotti #29 did not start with the others. His motor didn't start for one full minute. But at the 1-hour mark, Scotti had worked his way up to fifth place.

Translating Massimo's recollection:
"He hugs the shore, gaining a beneficial position to pass Andy Bullen and reach the northern buoy. But in the neighborhood of Swans Island, 10 feet before the Ranelagh Bridge, his hull suddenly flies up: the speed is about 110/120 mph.He crashes horribly against the parapet of the bridge. The Parisian firefighters on the scene quickly cut through the nets and bars to get to Cesare -- but it's too late. "




For those who would like to learn more about the life and times of Cesare Scotti, I wrote a tribute to his life several years back:

Written with much help from Massimo, the article - including some great pictures - can be found here:

[Ron Hill]

Margarite Woods took this picture of Cesare getting ready to drive with Mike Downard in Paris, France. Jimbo and Maragrite both agreed this pictures was taken minutes before Scotti's last ride...October 1974.

[T2x]

Very sad...a great talent indeed......

T2x

[T2x]

In the picture of the start above...Boat #92 appears to have lost its engine... ?????

T2x

[Michael J Gwaltney]

1. Miami 1969
2. 1973 Mike Downard in the rotary Wankel
3. Paris 1973-74

Val: Thanks for the pics. Most memorable event at Miami occured during testing. Ceasar had been out on the course testing and came into a small cove, did a U-Turn going about 60mph and shot back out on the course. He loved to have fun! Jack Leek about had the "big-one". Jack went to Geno Schiaffino (Scotti's interperator) and told him "Please tell Ceasar never to do that again!"

Just for the record, Mike Downard was posted on the photo of the #22 boat as driver but, Tom Posey was at the wheel in the photo and drove most of the race.

[Ron Hill]

Never saw one of these...