CHRYSLER JEEP DETROIT APBA GOLD CUP July 12-15, 2001 Tuesday May 15 2001 *** SODT HAS MOVED TO NEW OFFICES The Whittier Hotel was recently closed and we were forced to move the SODT offices. Our phone numbers remain the same, and our new location is: The Book Tower - 1249 Washington Blvd - Suite 1700 - Detroit MI 48226 *** HAPPY 300TH BIRTHDAY DETROIT! This year is Detroit's Tri-Centennial! In 1701 Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac and his company arrived to establish a permanent fort and settlement here. Many celebrations are planned, including free concerts by Michigan native Stevie Wonder, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra (with an 800-member Gospel choir) as well as jazz musicians. Other features will be the "Sail Detroit" Tall Ship Celebration and a re-enactment of Cadillac's 1701 landing. *** GEORGE STRATTON BENEFIT AUCTION The Benefit Auction on March 24th was an outstanding success. The committee set out with a dollar figure goal that it would attempt to raise for the educational fund for Christopher and Natalia, George's children. The amount generated was almost double the intended goal. A "boatload" of thanks to everyone that participated! *** HOTEL DISCOUNTS FOR THUNDERFEST FANS A number of hotels are offering discounts for Thunderfest fans. For a complete list with details, see the hotel link at the bottom of our Spectator Info web page: http://www.thunderfest.com/spectate/spectate.html Many have cut-off dates, and don't forget to ask for the T'fest discount. *** THE 5 LITRE CLASS WILL NOT BE IN DETROIT THIS YEAR The 5 Litre hydroplanes will not be with us this year because the Gold Cup race is the same weekend as their annual Nationals, to be held in Renton, Washington this year. We're hoping to have the 5 Litres back in 2002, and in the meantime you can see them at the Madison Regatta as well as back in Michigan for "Quake On The Lake", two weeks after the Gold Cup. *** TEAM NEWS: Excerpts from the MISS MADISON Press Release Steve David begins "Exclamation Point Tour" (Madison, Indiana) Miss Madison, the world's only community-owned unlimited hydroplane, will be sponsored by Oberto Sausage Company for the upcoming 2001 boat racing season. The U-6 will compete as Oh Boy! Oberto. Bob Hughes, spokesman for the Miss Madison Racing Team, and Larry Oberto announced the sponsorship today. In a related development, the Miss Madison organization has selected an American Powerboat Racing Association Hall of Champions driver to pilot the U-6 this summer. Steve David will replace Nate Brown at the controls and becomes the 19th driver since Miss Madison began racing in 1961. Brown resigned after the 2000 season to join the Elam-Plus Racing Team. Oberto is entering its 27th year of involvement with unlimited hydroplanes. The Kent, Washington firm has been in business since 1918 and produces naturally smoked and seasoned beef jerky, pepperoni, salami and sausage. Hulls bearing the Oberto name won races at Miami, Tri-Cities and San Diego in 1988. After twenty-three years, more than 250 victories, and nine world records in competition averages and straightaway speed in the smaller limited boats, Steve David broke into the unlimited hydroplane ranks in 1988 and was honored as Rookie of the Year. Ironically, David's first unlimited ride was in a hull owned by a conglomerate that included former Miss Madison driver Jim McCormick. David spent the 2000 season driving Offshore powerboats, piloting the CITGO Supergard to victory in the Great Lakes Silver Cup Challenge at St. Clair, Michigan and establishing a new Offshore Kilo record in the Special Vee class. [For the full story, visit http://www.hydro-prop.com] - Brian Reed (Volunteer WebMaster)

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