Credit where credit is due
As some here are aware, last weekend I was given an award. I really need to spread this award around, as there were so many people involved in the WPRA / SCSC 2007 High Points Championship of the PS 52 Boat, “GRUMPY 1”…………
Me? I’m Ray Burnett,(PS89)……. Lets add Art Anderson to this short list of people directly involved, lets add Bud Gilbert, as the engine guru and tuner he truly was .(The current engine in the 52 is the last engine Bud Gilbert built)……. And last but not least, Bud Allerton…………But not yet, OK?
The PS 52 is a Kelron hull built by Dwayne Bolton, Ronnie Bolton, (aka Mad Dog)…
If memory serves me correctly, (anyone that has straighter poop than me, please jump in).
I’m not sure who actually bought it out of the mold, but the boat reflects BUD SIMI of Santa Rosa as the rigger, or as it is painted on the side, “BOAT BY BUD SIMI”…….So I guess he rigged it?…….Here Bud Simi is your share of the award…….
Kelron?……In MY mind I have little else to say……Oh yeah, I watched Bud go over in that boat leading a Puddingstone heat into turn three, blew him out of his shoes, and, the worst part to him, he lost his wedding ring……..Bruised but OK, the ring was the one thing that bugged him about that flip…We helped drain the boat, back on the trailer……..Nothing…..Nothing was hurt on the boat!!!!!…..Thanks Dwayne and Ron, and here is your share of the award….(K9 forever in our hearts)
Gilbert……Bud Gilbert…….You ever thinking about someone, “He knows more now than I could ever think about learning?”…..What a tribute to G Force, this 2007 High points winner, this injected, alcohol burning, dry sumped, last Gilbert “off the stand” has more heats on it that we could figure out Saturday night….Goes back to 06 Burley or before………Thanks, Bud. Thanks for all the good times you added to the “other” Bud. Thanks for the “Mill” you built, here is your share of this award………..
May the “G FORCE” be with you……
Art Anderson.. I think I hooked them up in Parker…….(Hey Bud, you’re our competition, but this guy could make it bunch closer) thanksgiving 06. I may be wrong, jump in here Art….April, Parker......Art took the boat home……Bud’s instructions, simple, take it apart, look it over before Burley………Motor is out, on the hook, so to speak………Art rebuilds the pedal assembly, yeah, the DOWN pedal…..The bushings/bearings, etc etc……..Then Bud goes in the hospital……..Art rewires the starter/mag kill/mag switch, remounted between the drivers legs…….Bud is no longer making boat decisions ……Art puts the motor back in the boat, un opened..Per Virginia)….Tows the boat to Burley, does his best to “lean on it” abit……Nah, don’t wanna hurt it………Boat starts and finishes 4 heats……….
BUD DIES…….
Virginia, Brad and sister, (sorry) grandkids….Jeff, circle boat kid…….and a bunch of the Allerton clan came to Long Beach…. ART ANDERSON was the crew chief at the beach in 07…I was kinda busy with the 89…………A pill here, a pill there, being ever so careful not to hurt anything, Art gave Brad and that boat the best ride they’ve had lately, and in Brads case, maybe the best ride he EVER had!!!!!!!!!!
Art, my friend, nah…My brother…(Morgan City, but that’s another story)…..Thank you so much for your knowledge, your ball busting work, and for accepting the Allertons into your heart…..I shall always be greatful to you and Sandi
And now, to you Art, your Credit, where credit is due, your share of this award…………
Bud Allerton........Thank you for your smile....., thank you for your spirit, thank you for setting the bar a little higher everytime you pushed the "G Force" pedal.................
To Art, to the Buds.............This Award is OURS
Thanks for allowing me to continue MY addiction...........Ray