1951 Marine Derby
Dodge Boat Delphine X In Regatta
Twin-Engine Craft To Race Here Sunday
By Larry Boeck
Major Horace Dodge, millionaire speedboat enthusiast, has entered his twin-engined Delphine X in Sunday’s regatta on the Ohio River here.
Powered by Allison airplane engines, the Delphine X will be out to win a second Marine Derby Perpetual Trophy for the Detroit sportsman.
His speedy My Sweetie, with Louisville’s “Wild Bill” Cantrell at the wheel, captured the 10-mile spin in 1949.
“The Delphine is a good boat,” said Dodge, visiting here, yesterday. “No, of course, she’s not a My Sweetie, but she has power and has done well in various races ’round and about the past few years.”
My Darling To Go
Neither Dodge—married to a Louisville girl—nor Cantrell will be here for the fifth annual Falls Cities Motor Boat Racing Association regatta. They’ll be in Seattle, where My Sweetie and another of Dodge’s boats will be racing. But Delphine X will have a veteran driver from Detroit, said Dodge.
The hydroplane is of the unlimited class variety—meaning that there are no restrictions on the cost of its power plant, the size of the ship or its piston displacement.
Uniquely, Delphine X will duel for honors with—among other entries—a sister ship of My Sweetie. Coming back for a crack at a second trophy is My Darling, the sister ship to My Sweetie.
My Darling, owned and piloted by Andy Marcy of Springfield, Ill., captured the Marine Trophy last year in a stirring battle with Sid Street’s Z-Z-Zip, a smaller ship which usually competes in the 225 Division I class.
Street, daring Kansas City pilot who is a big favorite with speedboat racing fans here, was beaten by a scant boat’s length.
Cooper Has Hornet
Louisville’s Marion J. Cooper will be trying for the big prize again with his Hornet. And another Kentucky entry will be back—the ships of Ashland’s Oliver Elam. He is bringing in the Mercury and Ollie’s Folly.
While the 10-mile race usually is the day’s feature, it will have to split attention Sunday with the 225 Division I class race. This event will be for the national championship in that class, and approximately 15 of the country’s finest craft will be after the crown.
It’s certain to change hands, too. For Paul Sawyer of South Harwick, Mass., last year’s title holder, will not defend. He’s touring Europe.
--- July 31, 1951