Always admired Howard. A great man. I am envious. Would have loved to meet him. Even better would have been a fast ride, with him. My Velocity was left in the good hands of Saris Racing.
Padraig
He was a 'guy's guy'..... didn't care about his fame. He LOVED to find ways to go faster. He was always a friend to everyone. After, I moved to Southern Cal. When I drove up to him, he gave me a ride in the turbine 48' , just as an excuse to take it out. ( he had a 1,500 gallon jet-A fuel tank at his shop. ... When he retired from the boats, ( he had a bum knee, and had difficulty exiting the cockpit..... He continued to "go fast"... So he took me rides in his......
At his 97 age, I would drive him in it..... and NOT slow..... I'd find moments to hit 160mph.... as we went for pizza. He was fine, mentally, but sometimes He'd forget how to find his way back home.... ( Just a glitch )