1954 Detroit Memorial
“Gale V” Wins Detroit Memorial
Winning two of the three heats, Lee Schoenith drove his father’s Gale V to victory over'a half dozen other unlimited hydroplanes to capture the Detroit Memorial Race at the Motor City on July 3.
Those which qualified for the race, in addition to the winner, were Gale IV, Joe Schoenith’s other craft, piloted bv Bill Cantrell; Miss Great Lakes, which Danny Foster drove for Albin Fallon; Miss Wayne, owned and driven by Frank Saile; My Sweetie, owned by Horace Dodge and driven by Ed McCabe; Short Circuit, which Chuck Thompson both owned and drove and Wha Happen?, the Marv Henrich and Chuck Doran entry, driven by the former.
Schoenith led throughout the first 15-mile heat to win at a new event record speed of 91.843 m.p.h. Short Circuit finished a close second, but the Thompson craft broke her prop shaft as she crossed the line, putting her out for the balance of the day. Gale IV, Wayne, Great Lakes, Sweetie and Wha Happen? followed in that order.
Before the start of the second heat a faulty carburetor in Great Lakes had been replaced and the Fallon entry took charge from the start. Cantrell in Gale IV chased Foster’s mount for four laps when team tactics dictated that he back off—which he did most thoroughly to allow Gale V to capture second place points.
Thus, at the start of the final event, three boats were in line for a possible win: Gale V with 700 points. Great Lakes with 527 and Gale IV with 450.
At the start of the third 15-miles, Foster put Great Lakes over the line 15 yards in the lead. For the first two laps the Fallon craft continued to gain until she was 3/4 mile ahead of Gale V. But during the third circuit Great Lakes commenced slowing and Lee Schoenith started to close the gap. On the final lap the eventual winner took over the lead which she held to the finish.
The final point score showed: Gale V, 1100; Great Lakes, 827; Gale IV 675; My Sweetie,, 429; Short Circuit, 300; Wayne, 296 and Wha Hoppen, 293. Fastest lap was Gale V’s second round in the first heat, 93.345 m.p.h. Winners in the various limited classes were: 7 litre, B. G. Bartley, Jr’s Wildcatter; 266, Sam Guarino’s Water Baby, 225; Chuck Hunter’s Miss Columbia, 135; Lloyd Maddock's Holiday, 13; Wallace Rowland’s Cavalier; 4 Charles Breen’s Miss Led III.
--- Yachting, W. Melvin Crook