The Gold Cup is among the most prestigious of motorsport trophies, in part because it is the oldest continually-awarded trophy in all of motorsports. The first Gold Cup race was held in 1904. In comparison, the first Indianapolis 500 was held in 1911.

Hydroplane racing became a tradition in Detroit when designer Christopher Columbus Smith (of Chris Craft fame) built a Detroit-based boat that would crack the 60 miles-per-hour speed barrier, capturing the Gold Cup in 1915.

As the speeds grew so did the crowds, and hydroplane racing became a major Detroit event. Through the decades Detroit builders, drivers, fans and sponsors have proven themselves to be among the best.

This photo is of "Miss Detroit" as raced in 1958. Other boats have carried the same name (including the 1915 winner), this one was owned and driven by Chuck Thompson. More Details

For more history about the Gold Cup and Detroit powerboat racing, see:

• Top 10 Greatest Gold Cups - By UHRA Historian Fred Farley. #1 is MISS DETROIT'S win in 1915.
• Past Gold Cup Winners - A list of the owners and drivers since 1904.
• Gold Cup Repeaters - A history of repeat Gold Cup winners.
• Gold Cup Racing Format - Over the years.
• Water Speed Records - A compilation of world records.
• Early Day Gold Cup Memories - Miss Detroit wins the 1915 Gold Cup.
• Gold Cup Glitter - Racing in Detroit from 1920 to World War II.
• Some Early Three Pointers - Early three-point hull designs.
• Some More Early Three Pointers - The 1939 Gold Cup in Detroit.
• And A Little Detroit River Thunder - Racing in Detroit after World War II.
• Guy Lombardo Wins - The exciting 1946 Gold Cup in Detroit.
• Detroit Dossin Brothers - 1947 Gold Cup Champions with Miss Peps V.
• President's Cup - Detroit racers make an impressive showing in '52.
• Detroit Steals Seattle's Pride - reprinted from Sports Illustrated - 1955.
• Hawaii Kai III - Seattle steals their pride back at the 1958 Gold Cup.
• A Sad Moment in Thunder History - The dangers of racing (1961).
• Motor City Memories - The Miss U.S. and GALE teams of the 50's to 70's.
• Roy Duby Remembered - March 1999