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DON SHEAD PLANATEC
Once upon a time….. there was
a Class 1 powerboat owned by a
gentleman by the name of Bobby
Buchanan-Michelson, the craft was
called HOT OMELETTE A 34FT Avenger
with 1100hp Mercruisers. Its season
got off to a reasonably good start
with Mr B-M making quite an
impression, But there was trouble in
store for Hot Omelette in its bright
yellow and red racing livery, one of
the stern drives ripped out during a
race and she sank! When recovered
her condition was very poor and the
resilient Mr B-M returned with a new
Shead Designed Planatec hull, called
ABO (Another Bloody Omelette ). ABO
was entered in the ’74 Cowes Torquay
powered by 2 Mercruisers rated at
1300hp and the same Red and Yellow
livery , she unfortunately retired
after 10 miles with engine problems.
In ‘75 ABO returned as RADIO RENTALS
with Tim Powell driving and Mr B-M
as crew, she finished the race in 5th
position.
"ABO" 1974 Photo courtesy Graham
Stevens.
In 1976
there was no sign of Mr B-M or ABO/Radio
Rentals but she reappeared again in
1977 with John Cunningham and was
now called MACHO unfortunately she
retired at Torquay with a blown head
gasket.
"Macho" 1977 Photo courtesy Graham
Stevens.
In 1978
ABO / RADIO / MACHO reappeared as
BALLERINA again with Mr CUNNINGHAM
this time retiring at Anvil Point.
1979 A/R/M/B FAILED TO APPEAR! but
was back again in 1980 with a new
owner a MR WALKER but did not
compete in the Cowes Race nor again
in '81, '82 or '83.
"Ballerina" 1980 Photo courtesy
Graham Stevens.
In 1984
she was back again as DOUBLE TWO
SHIRTS with new owner Tim hill and
powered now by 2 Sabre Diesels at
1000hp, Old ABO now took on a
different view on racing, in that
years Cowes Classic she finished 4th
overall , it seems she liked her new
Sabres!
"Double 2 Shirts" 1984 Photo
courtesy Graham Stevens.
1985
and the Cowes Torquay included a 1
hr stop for refuelling at Torquay ,
Double Two was up the front again
battling for honours with Ray
McEnhill’s OUTSIDER and it was all
worth she finished second in the
race and first in OP2. In 1986 ABO
still with Tim Hill returns with a
new sponsor FOLLETT CARS and becomes
a popular entry with the spectators
and yet again after years in the
doldrums she beats some big names to
come home 5th and again
win OP2!
Maybe
it was all getting too much for the
old girl for 1987 was another
retirement, still she showed her
metal and was she was good she was
very good! Which is why with yet
another change of ownership to Roger
Fletcher and a new name REJUGA, she
competed in the 88 CTC against some
of the big names in the sport and
still made it home 11th
overall and 5 OP2. Not bad for a 13
year old boat!
"Follett Cars" 1986 Photo courtesy
Graham Stevens.
She was up to her old tricks again
in 1989 repeating a previous years
placing 5th overall and 1st
OP2 and beating in the process a
very nice CUV called FOLLETT CARS ! |
