Gentlemen,
First, I really think you guys should understand who Damage is. He is David Trask, a former F1 boat driver. To keep this in perspective you need to understand he is a driver/athlete of such extreme skills that trying to keep up with him on a track would be akin to playing one-on-one basketball with Michael Jordan and expecting to make a shot. I believe any suggestion he abuses his equipment is unfounded. In motorcar racing spectators are likely to help you if you crash. In ocean racing “spectators” are likely to eat whatever is left of you after you tumble across the waves. Broken parts can be especially lethal on the water. Consider a prop shaft breaking, causing the nose to dive and dig in--sending you into cartwheels.
I have spent many hours on the phone with David. In addition to being a very successful businessman, it is very apparent to me he is also an extremely skilled and knowledgeable mechanic. He is a self-made man who isn't afraid of grease under his fingernails—even though he can afford about any mechanic around. He works very, very hard to understand things.
Unfortunately, conclusions have been surmised regarding David which I do not believe are true. David has been, and remains, an exceptional customer of ours. He has always paid on time and done everything he said he was going to do. He never complained about price. He simply wanted things done right. I certainly don't blame him.
It appears some have thought that because he has commented about two different vendors that there must be a problem with Damage. I sincerely do not believe that to be the case.
Unfortunately, I believe Damage got caught up in a difficult situation with Absolute Pace. I think Kirkham had a difficult time with Absolute Pace as well. (Absolute Pace no longer sells our products in Australia and we are no longer affiliated with them in way.)
Keith Craft is more complicated, as Keith is a personal friend and customer of mine. I have known Keith and his wife Shelly for years and I consider them wonderful people. From Keith's posts I think he is tired. It happens. I feel for him and his beautiful wife. I wish him the greatest success.
Damage told me his motor that failed within a few miles. All the emails Damage listed are indeed emails that were sent to Keith. I was copied on all of them. Damage says the valves are marked 360 degrees around. I take him at his word; he knows what he is talking about. I think marks can only happen while the engine is running (valves spin when running). The moment a timing chain breaks, the valves stop moving and spinning (and marking).
The photos show cracks in the ports from the porting that Keith probably did. I imagine the walls got thin and Keith welded them up. Unfortunately, Damage says the port walls are too thin to be useable.
Keith and Damage have become good friends of mine (like virtually all our customers). Yesterday I told Damage to send the heads to Kirkham. We will make Damage a new set of heads from billet (if we can figure out how to do it). I imagine we can. We can make just about anything. We have a new Integrex 5 axis machine (9 total axis when you count up the parallel axis) which would be perfect for these heads. I can't wait to see Damage going down the road with a smile.
David
