1956 Maple Leaf Trophy

Lake St. Clair, Windsor, Ontario, June 23, 1956

14 Boats May Race

Course Map
Pictured here is a chart of the course, placed in the narrows between Peche Island and the Canadian mainland. Note the position of Windsor Yacht Club, which is the start and finish line.
Frank Saile, Wild Bill Canrell
RACE RIVALS—Owner-driver Frank “Bud" Saile of Detroit, will defend the Maple Leaf Trophy Saturday and here are the tough veterans he must beat to retain the trophy. At left is Bill Braden of Hamilton, driver of the only Canadian entry. Miss Supertest II. At right, a constant winner. "Wild Bill" Cantrell, who drives Joe Schoenith's new Gale V
Roy Duby, Danny Foster, Lee Schoenith
LEAD FOOTERS—Three of the heavy throttle men are pictured here. At left is Roy Duby, who drives Gale IV. Centre is Danny Foster, who will turn up in Guy Lombardo's Tempo VII, campaigned this year by a Pittsburgh doctor. Danny is the shrewd type. At right is Lee Schocnith. who wheels Gale VI. He has many classic victories behind him.

The final entry list for the Saturday running of the Maple Leaf Unlimited, Canada’s top powerboating event, should total 14—although some of the boats may be “weeded out” in morning qualifying runs.

Rear Commodore Frank LaForet, race chairman, said today he expects all 14 will at least attempt to qualify—and this will upset last year’s record, where eight boats started and finished.

The event is Canada’s oldest and best water speed event, bringing to the Canadian side of the Detroit River high powered boats carrying anything from 1,700 to 3,000 horse-power, running at speeds well above 130, m.p.h.

Preparations for the big race, expected to draw thousands of spectators, are all complete, Commodore LaForet said.

First phase of the program will be the time trials Saturday morning, beginning at 8 a m. and ending at 10:30 a m. All boats must run one lap at 75 or better to enter the afternoon race.

First heat of the unlimited class goes at noon.

The race course, between Windsor Yacht Club and Peche Island, will be sealed off by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police at 8 a m., and will open to general river traffic from 11 to 11:30 a m. The course will again be closed and remain so until the final 5 p.m. heat of racing is over.

Here is the final entry list, as released by the race chairman:

Miss Wayne, owned and driven by Frank “Bud” Saile of Detroit, who defends the trophy. Three-pointer. Twin Allison engines, side-by-side, two propellers.

Miss Supertest, owned by Gordon and Jim Thompson of London. Ont., driven by Bill Braden of Hamilton. Three pointer, Rolls-Royce Griffin engine.

Short Circuit (1), owned and driven by Charles F. “Chuck” Thompson. Detroit. Three-pointer, Allison-powered.

Gale IV, owned by Joe Schoenith of Detroit and Tecumseh, driven by Roy Duby. Three pointer. Allison-powered.

Gale V (2), Joe Schoenith, driven by “Wild Bill” Cantrell. Three pointer, new this year. Allison powered.

Gale VI (1), Joe Schoenith, driven by his son Lee. Three pointer, twin Allison engines mounted tandem, single gear box, single prop.

Tempo VII, owned by Guy Lombardo, Freeport, N.Y., campaigned by Dr B. G. Bartley, Pittsburgh. Pa , driven by Danny Foster. Three pointer, Allison powered.

Miss U.S. [1 (1)], owned by George Simon, Detroit, driven by Jack Bartlow. Three pointer. Single Allison. New this year.

Such Crust III (2), campaigned by Jack Schafer, driven by Freddy Alter. Three pointer. Twin Allisons, mounted tandem, single gear box, one prop.

My Sweetie (2), owned by Horace Dodge, Detroit, driven by Howard Paye. Five step V-bottom hydroplane. Allison powered.

Dora My Sweetie, Horace Dodge, driven by Don Wilson. Five-step hydro, Allison powered.

[Miss] Richochet, owner-driver Chuck Doran of Detroit. Five-step hydro, Allison powered. Bob McElroy may spell off the owner at the wheel.

Wha Hoppen Too. owner-driver Marv Henrich of Detroit, Three pointer, single Allison.

What a Pickle (1), owner-driver Gordon Deneau. This boat, campaigned last year under the name Miss Cadillac, won the Maple Leaf for Saile. It’s a three pointer, Allison powered.

The regatta program ends officially with a presentation dinner,, to take place at 6 p.m. in Thomas’ Inn, near the yacht club.

Officials of the club, who hoped two West Coast boats might enter, are now losing hope. None of the West Coasters has arrived in Detroit.

--- June 22, 1956