|
 |
|
|
|
In 1966 and The Hon Edward (Ted)
Greenhall (retired Racing Driver and Heir to the
Greenhall Brewery Co) and his wife Mary had
moved to the Channel Islands. Ted Greenhall had
given up motor racing before they moved to the
islands but still hankered for a speed fix but
with the islands 20 mph speed limit in force he
resorted to buying a powerboat to satisfy his
craving, in fact not just any boat but a Donzi
28' one of the latest American designs powered
by a single 470hp Chrysler and called her GEE.
Ted Greenhall may have been coerced into
entering his first race, the 1966 Cowes Torquay,
by ex motor racer Keith Schellenberg and
wallpaper heir Billy Shand-Kydd, (Shand-Kydd
raced a Donzi 28' the year before powered by 2
Daytona's) GEE finished a creditable 15th. |
|
1966 was the year
that Jim Wynn won the race in Ghost Rider, the
Donzi 28 was a Wynn Walters design and the
offshore bug had bitten Ted Greenhall to such an
extent that Wynn's victory encouraged him to
order a new more powerful boat capable of racing
but also doubling as a high speed express
between the mainland and the islands.
The new boat
designed by Wynn was to be built by Souter's in
Cowes and as a development of the Ghost Rider
design, she had the same reverse sheer at the
stern and an attractive cuddy cabin to comply
with the current C1 rules. Measuring 40' in
length, she was built in typical strong Souter
style of cold laminated mahogany. |
|
She was to be powered by 2 powerful
Cummins Diesels rated at 450hp each. Gee
did not appear for the 1967 race but in
1968 and with the engines up rated to
produce a total of 1000hp finished 4th
overall and 2nd in class beating the
favoured Gypsy Girl of Sir Max Aitken.
|
|
In 1969 Gee was entered in the Round
Britain race and was leading the race
only to retire at Dundee with fuel
problems. Her outing in the Cowes
Torquay Cowes that year was a big
success however, when she finished 9th
overall and 1st in class. |
|
Her biggest
competitors were Gypsy Girl and Spirit of
Ecstacy, they always had a battle royal
especially when the heavy weather conditions
suited their designs. |
|
“GEE” was raced
every year by Ted Greenhall in many races not
just the CTC and was one of the first boats to
carry sponsorship, albeit GRUNHALLE LAGER from
Greenhall's Brewery! GEE retired in the 1970 CTC
and finished 1st in class one in the 1971 race. |
|
She was
originally built and raced in the unlimited
diesel class, with race No185, powered by 2 x
Cummins Indiana diesels, totalling 1000BHP. As a
race boat she had a small blister type coach
roof, with a centre cockpit. Over the years she
has been turned into a sports cruiser, with
various different engines, the cabin coach roof
– a Don Shead design – and now offers better
space below decks. |
|
John
Bates of Bates Wharf Marine, who built
the Star Crafts, lovingly restored “GEE”
during the late 1980’s and into 1990’s,
when he completely overhauled her. He
enjoyed the boat for many years as his
pride and joy. |
|
In 2001
Chris Clayton became the proud owner and
custodian for this beautiful boat and
after over 40 years since she was built,
“Gee” is now back racing. |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Chris Clayton
carried out a complete internal and external
refurbishment of “GEE” in 2007. Currently with
twin Ford Sabres 300BHP, she will be refitted
for the 2008 Round Britain Offshore Power Boat
Race with twin Cummins QSB 480BHP diesel
engines, being the original engine manufacturers
during her successful racing days and she still
carries the trademark racing no 185 and union
jack flag on her pristine white livery, being
instantly recognisable as “GEE”. |