END OF AN ERA

30th April 2009

It is with mixed emotions that I report on the end of a racing era. Team owner Ken Arnott has announced that 'Insanity - S02' will be officially retired from competing at major meetings.

The decision comes as the 24 year old Bert Everingham is at the peak of its performance, well exceeding the speeds it used to reach in days gone by.

Since teaming up with John & Neil Laundy, a dry sump was installed to prevent loss of oil pressure in the corners. What the guys didn't expect was an extra 700rpm from the 427ci powerhouse which peaked at 7400rpm even after changing from 50% to taller 55% gears.

Although it's possible to keep running at these speeds, Ken has chosen to put all matters of safety before glory.

"I haven't been sleeping well lately" Ken admits. "All I've been thinking is hell it never used to be that quick. She's lookin good but I have to consider the well being of Neil and his family."

"I mean the decision's been on the cards for a while. I'll never sell the thing- nah it's too old. What we're doing is instructing John to re-install the wet sump and take some power out of the engine and I'll be driving her at club days for a while longer" Ken says.

At the two previous race meetings Insanity has entered, she was running faster than ever, competing well with 21ft - 510ci combinations Tuff'e'Nuff, The Real Thing, No Remorse, Rythum and even Agent Orange, well in excess of 115mph and looked to be doing everything right.

However age it seems does get the better of both man and machine in the end, and all other B.A.D boats of Insanity's era were retired long ago.

Original owner Frank Lenzi was present at the 2009 Dorwin and was said to be impressed with the speed and consistency of "the Old Girl". Fourth place in the final was a very respectful last showing for a boat that has won the Dorwin Gold Cup 2 years in a row (1996/1997 driven by Neil Laundy), plus back to back Australasian titles for unlimited in 1988 & 1989 at the hands of Jeff Overall.

Outgoing driver Neil Laundy said "We've always gotten along well, me and that boat, ever since the first time I drove it. We've achieved a lot together and to see it fade away into the history books is certainly a sad moment, but we can part company knowing that we got the best out of each other."

"There are plenty of fond memories for a lot of people surrounding it (Insanity) - memories I'm sure will last forever."

Neil has competed in more races with Insanity than any other driver despite never actually owning the boat. He and son John have also rebuilt the engine more times than any other to have worked on it.

"It's certainly an old combination" John says. "The engine still has the original crank shaft, rods and pistons that were put in with the engine Frank Lenzi had built back in 1985 when I was just 2 years old. It's a great achievement for all concerned to say the least."