The Look
Paul Bugl 1930 - 1978
Paul Bugl was a master artisan, musician and an engine designer-builder who produced engines that were F2C champions. He produced them out of his home workshop or in a small shop at Hirtenberger Patronen Fabrik and beat MVVS, MOKI, Super Tigre, Eta, Oliver, and the rest.
I first saw Paul in the practice circle at Budaörs 1n 1964. At that time had seen his name in print but could not recognize him. When I approached the practice circle I heard someone whistling "Sweet Georgia Brown". This is a jazz tune from the '20's, now the theme song of the Harlem Globe Trotters basketball team.
I looked: Here was a shirtless guy wearing khaki pants and thong sandals, carrying a fuel squash bottle. He whistled and kept time until his racer ran out of fuel and came in for a pit. He caught it, a squeeze of the squash bottle, whack, whack and away. Back to Sweet Georgia Brown.
I got in the circle when both of the other planes were down and we all 3 got up. It was then I found out the pilots were speaking German. "oops" was the only English I heard.
Later, after the awards banquet, my Hungarian companion and T/R team member Mohai Istvan and I met Paul at what must have been the only B-girl bar in Budapest. (We had no common spoken language so I just followed Istvan around. I probably would have gone to the opera.).
We sat with Bugl. Paul spoke to me in limited English and and Istvan ("Steve") to Paul in limited German. Paul spotted the East German team at another table. They had not done well and, in addition, were despised by the Russians yet not permitted to be friendly with the West Germans. A really glum looking group in identical, olive drab, polyester suits.
Speed Contestant, RAF Swinderby 1966
Paul pointed this out, he got Istvan and I up, went over to them, introduced us in German, and we all sat down. Soon he had us all laughing, drinking our sör (beer) and trying to rate the girls there. (accomplished by taking al the money out of Paul's wallet and, as a group, dividing it into two piles. One for the girl, the rest we would keep 'till he got back.)
In 1966 Bugl took second in the World champs by 1 second, Stockton and Jehlik then switched to his engine, were world champions in 68 with it, and the Bugl became one of the best marquees in T/R.
Our photo shows Paul at Liège-Bierset with his beautifully made pistol grip monoline handle for speed. This time dressed like a European man of means. Bugl engines came in a wooden box that was also a piece of craftsmanship.
Paul died early in life. I regret that, but remember his skill, boundless energy, and strong personality --- and that he went out of his way to be kind.
Bugl's glow speed engine at the 1966 World Championships
