------- Forwarded Message Follows -------
Date: Tue, 30 Apr 96 06:41:57 UT
From: "Rob Carver" <Vanwall@msn.com>
Subject: Dolphin FJR
Bud Hull, the man behind the Dolphin racing cars, passed away Monday, April
22nd. Bud was one of the early West Coast constructors of Formula Juniors,
designing & manufacturing the Dolphin in San Diego; testing them on deserted
local roads, with a wink from the local constabulary. A mid-engined
Stanguellini-killer, it became quite competetive with Cooper, Loti, & others,
although Lothar Moschenbacher always seemed to have the latest engine in his
Lotus - tough to beat under any circumstances. The great Ken Miles often drove
the factory Dolphins, & won a number of races. Bud & some privateers raced all
over the West & Mexico, and the cars gradually became more complex & quite
well-finished. Designed with help from John Crosthwaite, a former Lotus
engineer, Dolphins used parts sourced from all over Southern Cal, and Bud even
had custom designed Dolphin light-alloy wheels cast locally. Dolphin
eventually produced a very quick sports racer, Ken Miles driving these as
well, but by this time in the early '60s, Bud was running up against big money
constructors, and as sponsorship was in its infancy, he folded up his tent.
Dolphins still make a statement in Vintage races, & Bud was glad to see 'em
still running hard. He recently completed the restoration of one of the last
Dolphin Juniors, doing most of the work himself! He was one of the early
surfers out West, as well as a pilot, and fishing boat captain. Bud Hull was
an important part of the racing scene in Southern california in the late '50s
& early '60s, and as a constructor of a car that even Count Lurani, the man
behind Formula Junior, acknowledged as one of the few US racers that was
competetive with the Europeans.
BCNU
-Rob in San Diego
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