1938 Duke of York Trophy

Auerbach To Try For Duke Of York Trophy

The United States of America is placing great hopes on S. Mortimer Auerbach, internationally famous speedboat racer, to bring to the Western Hemisphere the Duke of York trophy in the three-day regatta to be held at Torquay, England, on June 30, July 1 and 2.

"Who is Auerbach?" did you inquire.

Well, here's a short sketch of the latest motorboat wizard —

Born in New York City, September 12, 1900.

Educated in New York City and Hollywood, California, schools. Heir to the Mandel Brothers, Chicago, Ill., department store millions, he looked forward to a career of automobile racing only to have his dream vetoed by his parents.

Six years ago he embarked on a boat racing career, meeting with immediate success as an owner and driver of 135, 91 and 225 cubic inch hydroplanes-going on to eclipse 11 world's records, which were officially recognized by the American Power Boat Association.

Auerbach adopted the name Emancipator, which is now world famous, for his string of race boats numbering seven.

His records follow:

Emancipator III — Class 125 cubic inch hydroplane, competitive record for five miles, speed 45.226 mph., Havre de Grace, Md., July 20, 1934.

Emancipator III — Class 125 cubic inch hydroplane, one statute mile, speed 50.571 mph., Havre de Grace, Md., July 21, 1934.

Emancipator II — Class 225 cubic inch hydroplane, competitive record for five miles, speed 44.138 mph., Washington, D. C., September 22, 1934.

Emancipator IV — Class 225 cubic inch hydroplane, competitive record for five miles, speed 56.426 mph., Red Bank, N. J., August 18, 1935.

Emancipator IV — Class 225 cubic inch hydroplane, one statute mile record, speed 63.548 mph. (Canadian National Exposition), Toronto, Canada, September 7, 1935.

Emancipator III — Class 135 cubic inch hydroplane, one statute mile record, speed 53,611 mph., Washington, D. C., September 28, 1935.

Emancipator Special — Class 91 cubic inch hydroplane, competitive five-mile record, speed 39.079 mph., Palm Beach, Fla., Feb. 21, 1936.

Emancipator IV — Class 225 cubic inch hydroplane, one statute mile, speed 64.749 mph., Miami Beach, Fla., March 23, 1936.

Emancipator VI — Class 135 cubic inch hydroplane, competitive five-mile record, 50.028 mph., Miami, Fla., March 20, 1937.

Emancipator VI — Class 135 cubic inch hydroplane, one statute mile record, speed 60.404 mph., Miami Beach, Fla., March 2, 1937.

Emancipator VI — Class 135 cubic inch hydroplane, competitive five-mile record, speed 51.458 mph., Red Bank, N. J., August 15, 1937.

(He was the riding mechanic for t. Commander John M. Rutherfurd when the latter, in his Gold Cup boat, Juno, traveled 89.700 mph. to set up a new world's mile record for Gold Cup boats, March 26, 1938.)

Besides these records. Auerbach also won the 135 National Championships in 1933, 1934, 1935 and 1937, and many sectional and state titles.

Honorary vice-commodore of the American Power Boat Association, Auerbach has participated in nearly 200 races, figuring in many perilous crackups, being thrown from his craft five times to become a full-fledged member of the Hell Divers. Three times he wound up on a hospital cot after being injured during the heat of competition.

In the past five years, the unassuming and diminutive boat racer has devoted most of his time on experiments to get results, first in the 135 class, 91 class, then in the 225 division, and finally in the four-liter international class in which he aspires to ascend to great heights in competition and on the mile straightaway.

Besides being a great racer in his own right, Auerbach is also the sponsor of America's foremost boat race-the 22.6 mile grind around Absecon Island, Atlantic City, every Memorial Day, for the Judge Emil Auerbach Trophy, world's largest sports cup, in memory of his father.

"Boat racing is my bobby and it is only for pleasure that I race," states Auerbach, who is always willing and in fact anxious to talk and ride boats. Auerbach departed for England with Emancipator VII, his latest creation, on the S.S. Queen Mary, June 22, accompanied by Anthony Pezzillo, his co-pilot and associate.

The other American entry in the Duke of York Race is Lady Gen V owned by David Gerli of New York. Lady Gen V will be driven in this race by Melvin Crook of Montclair, N. J., owner of the one time record holder Betty V. Mr. Crook left for England on the S. S. Aquitania on June 15.

Both Emancipator VII and Lady Gen V are Apel-designed hulls powered by Gray 4-liter motors.

(Reprinted from Motor Boating, July 1938, p.117)