1956 International Cup
Good Races Ahead
By Fred Haney.
Elizabeth City — With prospects of at least nine, perhaps a dozen, of the nation’s most powerful hydroplanes lined up for what promises to be the South’s greatest speedboat event, enthusiasm over the International Cup Regatta is growing rapidly throughout this section.
Dr. Bill Peters, commodore of the Pasquotank River Yacht Club which is sponsoring the regatta, the third annual such event, is beaming with optimism these days despite the fact that he and his aides are loaded down with last minute details. The regatta, the winner of which will receive a handsome $7,000 sterling silver trophy, will be staged Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 29-30.
A representative of the Pasquotank River Yacht Club attended the Gold Cup race held recently in Detroit and made a survey of the unlimited owners. He returned with word that Joseph Schoenith of Detroit, plans to enter both Gale V and Gale VI; Bud Saile will be on hand with Miss Wayne. Others promising to race over the local course include Marvin Henrich’s What A Pickle; William Rhodes’ Miss Thriftway from Seattle, Wash; and Miss Supertest II, owned by J. Gordon Thompson of London, Ontario.
Horace Dodge's Dora My Sweetie of Detroit is on the racing circuit and is expected to be here as are Jay Murphy’s Muvalong of Lake Tahoe, Calif., and Bill Waggoner’s famed Shanty I of Seattle, Wash. Tentative commitments to run here were also secured from the owners of Miss Pepsi, Such Crust III and Miss U.S. 1.
Seven unlimiteds competed for the International Cup last year with Guy Lombardo's Tempo VII setting a new 15-mile world’s record to win at 104.775 miles per hour. Given a break in the weather that record may be smashed in view of the great amount of competition assured with so many outstanding boats.
In addition to the two 15-mile unlimited heats on Saturday, Sept. 29 and three heats on Sunday, Sept. 30, eight outboard and eight limited inboard classes also will be run in the two full days of water activity. As if that wasn't enough, a big International Cup beauty contest, colorful parade and the annual ball featuring Ted Weams and his orchestra, not to mention numerous other entertainment features. With such an attractive program lined up It is no wonder that Commodore Peters is all smiles these days.
— September 16, 1956