CHRYSLER JEEP DETROIT APBA GOLD CUP July 6-9, 2000 Wednesday June 28 2000 *** CHRYSLER JEEP APBA GOLD CUP LESS THAN TWO WEEKS AWAY With 11 unlimited hydroplane teams preparing for the Chrysler Jeep APBA Gold Cup July 6-9) in less than two weeks on the Detroit River, the question remains 'What team can beat the Miss Budweiser?' Once again, Dave Villwock piloted the Miss Budweiser to a clean sweep of all the heats in Evansville on Sunday, June 25 to capture the Budweiser Thunder on the Ohio. Villwock took all three preliminary heats and then beat out Gregg Hopp in the U-100 Miss Znetix. "My hope is to run the best race I can and then hope for Dave (Villwock) to make a mistake," said Canton's Mark Tate who is returning to the Detroit River to race the Miss Chrysler Jeep. "I don't know if there is one team that can out and out beat this team but there are a lot of boats that are running really strong." Tate took third place in Evansville after taking the second spot in the season opener on Lake Havasu. Mark Weber of St. Clair Shores took fourth in Evansville in the York International while Jimmy King of Richmond was fifth in the Llumar Window Film. The piston-powered U-3 Master Tire finished respectably in sixth. Along with the 11 unlimited teams the racing in Detroit will feature the return of the Grand Prix hydroplanes after a one-year hiatus along with racing from the Unlimited Light's, five-liter class, Jersey Speed Skiffs, Outboard Performance Inflatables and a number of Vintage racing boats. Before the fleet comes to Detroit, they will make a stop next weekend in Madison, Indiana. Tickets are available by calling the Spirit of Detroit T'fest office at 313-331-7770 or at TicketMaster outlets. There is free viewing for the general public on the Belle Isle bathing beach. Qualifying starts on Thursday, July 6 and continues on Friday, July 7 with racing on Saturday, July 8 and Sunday, July 9. *** LATE-BREAKING NEWS FROM THE EVANSVILLE RACE The U-100 Miss Znetix was disqualified for the final heat due to a "flagrant fuel violation". The third through sixth finishers move up one place from the positions stated in the story above. The Leland team is reportedly on their way back to their shop, opting to skip the Madison race (presumably to show their objection to the ruling). We hear that they ARE planning to attend the 2000 Gold Cup. *** THE GRAND-PRIX HYDROPLANES RETURN! We will have 4 to 6 GP boats here for an exhibition. It's not sure at this time who will be invited but at least 2 teams from the Detroit area are expected. The GPs are a very exciting class and it's great to have them back. *** R/C HYDROS ON DISPLAY IN WATERWORKS PARK - JULY 7 A number of radio-control hydroplane (model) racers will be exhibiting their boats in Waterworks Park on July 7th. They will likely be near the Unlimited's Detroit merchandise trailer, near the trophy presentation stand. Be sure to check out these wonderfully crafted scale models of past & present Hydroplanes. *** THIRD JIM CLARY PRINT UNVEILED For a look at "Roostertail Frenzy - The 1976 Gold Cup", visit http://www.thunderfest.com/mmart/mmart.html It's great! - Brian Reed (Volunteer WebMaster)

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