1934 Canadian National Exposition

Ten 225's Race At Toronto Fair

In a thrilling series of three races practically all of the 225 inch hydroplanes in commission in the United States and Canada competed for the supremacy of the class at the Canadian National Exposition in Toronto Canada. The World's championship was awarded to a Canadian boat, Little Miss Canada III, built in Canada from Hacker designs and driven by Harold Wilson, assisted by Miss Lorna Reid as mechanic. Wilson is a student at the University of Toronto and it is reported that racing these fast hydroplanes was a brand new experience for him. The authorities at the exposition had gone to great lengths to insure a representative fleet of these new racers, and so successful were they that six American and four Canadian boats appeared. Three heats on each of three different days were arranged. These were to take place each evening and were to be 15 miles in length.

On the first day, which was Tuesday, September 4, the lake was so rough that it was impossible to do any racing. The entire program was advanced one day and the first race was held on Wednesday. The lake, while quieter, was in no shape for fast driving and the length of the heat was reduced to ten miles. Little Miss Canada driven by Harold Wilson managed to keep going and by clever driving and daring was able to pass and keep ahead of the other contestants. Emancipator III, driven by S. Mortimer Auerbach, who had come up from Stone Harbor in an overnight drive, threatened Little Miss Canada, and these two easily out-distanced the others and fought it out for first place. Emancipator was able to close up some distance on the straightaways but Little Miss Canada consistently got around the turns faster. The remainder of the fleet lead by Riptide, owned by Al Schwarzler, and Wilmer III, Dr. C. H. Bagley, finished far behind. Mrs. Florence Burnham, driving Chotsie VI, was fifth. Pop Eye, a Canadian entry driven by Herb Ditchburn dropped out after three laps. Engine trouble accounted for the failure of three more. Miss Westchester, driven by E. W. Hammond, did not start, and Atom, Harry Foster stopped in the first lap. Rex Boys, Charles P. Reckner, failed to finish. Time for the first heat of ten miles was 15:06 for Little Miss Canada just under 40 miles and 15:09 for Emancipator III.

On the second evening, the weather was a trifle better but still far from ideal for fast racing. Mrs. Florence Burnham put Chotsie VI in the lead with Emancipator, Little Miss Canada and Miss Westchester all closely bunched. Emancipator managed to get out in front and maintained a lead for four laps when she suddenly stopped. Chotsie and Little Miss Canada continued their duel with Chotsie finally going into the winning position, giving her first place in the second heat. Little Miss Canada finished in second place with Riptide again in third place. Emancipator got going again in time to finish fourth. Chotsie required 22:29 for the fifteen miles, a speed of just about 40 miles per hour. At the ten mile point she was clocked at 14:42 or 40.8 miles.

The third and last heat on Friday was to some extent a repetition of the earlier ones. Rough water and engine troubles accounted for many failures to finish and it is apparent that there is still room for improvement as far as reliability of power plant is concerned. Emancipator III was plainly the fastest of the boats which kept going. Miss Westchester, while also reputed to be very fast still has to keep going long enough to finish a single heat. At the start of the last heat Riptide jumped into a leading position with Emancipator going strong after her. Chotsie VI, going fast. was right alongside of Emancipator. Little Miss Canada, going at her fastest pace, succeeded in passing eight of the fleet and was giving Emancipator battle for second place. These two were soon in the lead and Wilmer III reached third place quite a bit behind the leaders. These continued their neck and neck race, each gaining or losing at the turns as conditions permitted, and finally Emancipator crossed the line first, with Little Miss Canada second.

On total points earned Little Miss Canada wins the trophy and championship title with 1,000 points. Emancipator III second with 925. Chotsie VI third with 696, Wilmer III fourth with 304. Riptide fifth, with 320. and Miss Muskoka sixth with 10. In the third and last heat. Emancipator's time was 22:02, a shade better than forty miles. Weather conditions on all three days were hardly suited for fast driving in this type of boat and many of the failures of boat and power plant the contest can he ascribed to the terrific pounding.

(Reprinted from ?, October 1934)