1955 International Cup

Pasquotank River, Elizabeth City, NC, October 1-2, 1955

Select related article . . . Fast Hydroplanes In Week-End Races Racing's World Series Set For Elizabeth City Nine Peninsula Power Drivers Among Entries Bickford Sets World Record In Boat Trials Tempo VII Sets Record Lombardo Boat Sets Record Breathless 3d In Speed Run Hits 104.775 MPH Lombardo Boat Nabs International Regatta Tempo VII Wins Carolina Regatta Lombardo Boat Triumphs Breathless 5th In Cup Regatta Statistics

Lombardo Boat Sets Record

ELIZABETH CITY, N.C., Oct. 1 (AP) — "Tempo VII,” Guy Lombardo’s unlimited hydroplane, established a new course record here today in the first heat of the second annual International Cup Regatta, run in choppy water on the Pasquotank River.

Danny Foster of Detroit, Mich., piloted the mahogany blue and yellow “Tempo" over the 15-mile course at a speed of 103.806 miles per hour. Foster covered the first three-mile lap in better than 105 miles per hour but had to drop to an average of 102 miles per hour for the final two heats due to choppy water.

“Miss United States,” owned by George Simon of Detroit, and driven by Jack Bartlow, placed second, with a speed of 98.901 miles per hour.

“Breathless,” owned and driven by Jay Murphy of Piedmont, Calif., was third at 85.362 miles per hour, while "Wha Hoppen Too,” owned and driven by Marvin Henrich of Detroit, was fourth with a speed of 78.531.

Three other of the big unlimiteds were scheduled to participate in another heat but they had to postpone their race when darkness caught up with the first day’s program.

Left to race tomorrow morning were "Gale V," defending champion, owned by Joseph Schoenith of Detroit, and driven by his son, Lee; "Gale IV,” also owned by Schoenith, and driven by Bill Cantrell, which placed second last year; and "Miss Wayne,” a California boat [CORRECTION: Detroit] which arrived last night as a surprise entry.

The unlimiteds will complete their fight for the international cup late Sunday afternoon.

A new world record for “D” service runabouts was established by Harry Bickford of Hampton, Va., in his boat “Skip.” Bickford was clocked at 57.6 miles per hour for the one mile run, breaking his own record set at Bush River, Md., last year of 57.064.

Bickford also holds the five-mile competition record of 50.719 miles per hour set at Buffalo, N.Y., and is the highest point scorer in his class for the last four years. He also has held the national championship for the last three years.

— The News and Observer, October 2, 1955