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Spirit of Detroit Thunderfest, Inc. has commissioned Michigan marine artist and author Jim Clary to produce a series of four original paintings and collector print editions to celebrate and perpetuate the history of hydroplane racing on the Detroit River. Gold Cup 2000, the final work in the series, depicts Miss Budweiser, Miss DYC, Vacationville.com, Appian Jeronimo, and Miss Chrysler Jeep all rounding the Roostertail turn with the Detroit Yacht Club in the background. As has become his trademark in the series, Clary has hidden portraits of the drivers and "hydroplane king" Bernie Little somewhere within the work. Marking the 85th anniversary of powerboat racing on the Detroit River, The Chrysler Jeep Gold Cup 2000, while hampered with a bit of foul weather, was nonetheless exciting as ever. U-1 Miss Budweiser topped nine other contenders with a final qualifying speed of 162.850 mph. U-10 Miss DYC 156.724, U-9 Carpenter Communications 154.558, U-16 Miss E-Lam Plus 153.643, U-2 Miss Chrysler Jeep 152.014, U-6 Miss Madison 149.900, U-5 Appian Jeronimo 146.835, U-8 Llumar Window Film 145.668, Miss Freei 138.501 and U-3 Vacationville.com 132.413 mph. Race fans were expecting a speedfest because Miss Freei, just days before on June 15, 2000, had finally broken the long standing world hydroplane speed record of 200.419 mph attained by Roy Duby in Miss US 1 on April 17, 1962. Russ Wicks driving Miss Freei broke the record with a speed of 205.494 mph. Here, everyone thought, might be just the race for another record, or at least a stiff challenge for the formidable Budweiser team. Although rain and rough water delays dictated a much slower race than expected, a near catastrophe sent unbelieving fans home with a memory they would not soon forget. During the final heat, right on the tail and ready to lap Miss E-Lam Plus was Mark Weber in Miss DYC in the inside and George Stratton in Appian Jeronimo in the outside lane. Right in front of them, however, was Miss E-Lam Plus, dead in the water on the front straight away just a few feet away from the seawall! If Stratton had slowed he surely would have hit Miss E-Lam. Instead, he laid on the pedal and dashed between Miss E-Lam and the seawall with only inches to spare on either side. Named rookie of the year, George Stratton had cheated fate, but would die in San Diego when Appian Jeronimo flipped in that last race of the 2000 season. Dave Villwock in Miss Budweiser captured his tenth straight win but with an average speed of only 139.416 mph. He held on to a 250-yard lead in the five lap 12.5-mile final, but he ran 44 mph slower than his fastest qualifying speed. It would be Bernie Little's 13th Gold Cup win and his 126th unlimited win.
All contents Copyright © 2001 Spirit of Detroit THUNDERFEST, except where noted.
Web page created by Brian Reed.
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