THUNDERFEST: SIGNAL FLAG ONLINE

SIGNAL FLAG ONLINE #46

CHRYSLER JEEP DETROIT APBA GOLD CUP July 12-15, 2001
Monday June 18 2001
*** ANNUAL MANDATORY VOLUNTEER MEETING - THURSDAY JUNE 28
SODT Volunteers, Clary fans and Hydro fans are invited to join us at our annual pre-race meeting. This is a mandatory meeting for volunteers, perk bags and credentials will be distributed. We will begin at 6:00pm with the unveiling of the new print by Jim Clary [full story below].
This year's meeting will not be at the Silverdome, it will be at Crystal Gardens in Southgate on June 28th. Crystal Gardens is at 16703 Fort Street, in Southgate, 48195. (734) 285-2210 -- MAP --
There is some construction on I-75 in the area. The best way to get to Crystal Gardens for those southbound on I-75 is to take the Northline exit and turn left (East) on Northline. Proceed to Fort Street and turn right (South). Pass Eureka Road and make the turnaround just before Pennsylvania (North on Fort). Crystal Gardens is set back from the road, in between a Ford dealership and a K-Mart's.
Coming from the south, exit I-75 at Sibley Road and go East to Fort Street. Turn left (North) on Fort Street, and proceed past Pennsylvania.
From I-275, the best way may be to take Eureka all the way to Fort Street and turn right (South). Make the turnaround before Pennsylvania (North on Fort).
*** SODT WOULD LIKE TO WELCOME OUR NEW EVENT SPONSORS
We're proud to announce that this year our food concessions will be provided by Andiamo and Kowalski, two Detroit based firms known for their excellence in food. Thanks to BankOne for presenting the Driver's autograph session on Saturday. It will be in Waterworks Park, about 4:30 or 5pm. Listen to the PA for updates. And a hearty welcome to 106.7 FM, "The New Alice".
*** UPDATED PARTY SCHEDULE
Our parties around town have already begun! Locations include Rosie O'Grady's, Library Sports Pub, Duggans North, Beach Grill, Lakepointe Yacht Club, Jack's Waterfront Restaurant, Hayloft West, Tremors, and Harlans. For details: http://www.thunderfest.com/raceweek/raceweek.html
The qualifying and racing schedule will be posted soon. New for 2001, the river will be open for Unlimited practice and qualifying after the Automotive Gold Cup on Friday (that's about 5pm). The scheduled course closing is 7:30pm.
*** LOCAL RESTAURANTS TO SUPPORT UNLIMITED LIGHTS BATTLE!
We're calling it "Race For Taste"... local restaurants co-sponsor Unlimited Lights for bragging rights among themselves. On the list so far are Sindbad's, the Roostertail, Tom's Oyster Bar, the Beach Grill, and the Village Idiot. A cook-off will be held on the Roostertail deck, and be shown by Speedvision during their coverage of the UL's.
*** 2001 UNLIMITED HYDROPLANE HALL OF FAME INDUCTION CEREMONY
Join us in honoring the 2001 Inductees and their contributions to hydroplane history on Thursday July 12, 2001. Hosted by "Dossin's" (the bottling company that made all the Miss Pepsi boats possible), at the Roostertail Restaurant. Several Detroiters will be inducted! Doors open at 6pm. For all the details visit:
http://www.unlimitedsdetroit.com/uhom
*** HYDROFEST 2001 - FOURTH ANNUAL BENEFIT PARTY
Hydrofest 2001 will be at the beautiful Detroit Yacht Club, and is open to the public (you need not be a DYC or SODT member). Show your support for Thunderfest and the Wertz Warriors of the Special Olympics, Michigan. Festivities include auctions and special presentations along with dinner by the DYC. Individual tickets are $150 each and we anticipate a sellout. Casual, nautical attire. 6:30PM. (800) 359-7760 for more info.
*** HYDRO-PROP "RIVER ROAR" IN BAY CITY - JUNE 22-24, 2001
Hydro-Prop's other visit to Michigan will be in less than two weeks, when the Formula 1 PROP tour visits Bay City. These high performance powerboats challenge even the most seasoned professional as they maneuver around multiple hairpin turns on a tight 1-1/4 mile course. For more info:
http://www.riverroar.com
http://www.hydroprop.com/formulaoneprop
*** "GOLD CUP 2000" - FINAL CLARY PAINTING IN A 4-YEAR SERIES *** A Century of Hydroplane Racing on the Detroit River.
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.
- Brian Reed (Volunteer WebMaster)