1958 Diamond Cup
Maverick Wins Diamond Cup [1958]
Bill Waggoner’s Maverick was the first to write her name on Coeur d’Alene’s glittering new Diamond Cup trophy for unlimited hydroplanes. This race is now one of the big twelve of racing hydro events. Driver Bill Stead also was first to win the Apple Cup last year at Chelan, Wash.
Thousands of spectators flocked over from Spokane to the big, beautiful Idaho lake to see the field of 12 unlimiteds race in this area for the first time. The Spokane community also sponsored its own boat, Miss Spokane, which had the hard luck to flip only a few days before and which was repaired in great haste. She placed third in the final results.
The Maverick had been running well all week and in the final heat she romped away from her closest competition, Thriftway Too. The critical point in the Diamond Cup was the first turn in the final heat.
The starters, Miss Seattle, Miss Thriftway, Miss U.S. 1, Miss Spokane, Maverick and Thriftway Too, made a beautiful start and all roared into the first turn together. Thriftway Too ran through Miss Seattle’s roostertail and at this point is believed to have struck Miss Thriftway. When the confusion was over, Bill Stead put Maverick through an opening and scampered away.
Miss Seattle blew out four spark plugs in the fourth lap and withdrew. The wounded Miss Thriftway, her tail fluttering, withdrew on the fifth lap. George Simon’s Miss U.S. 1 was able to finish, earned fourth honors.
Another hot boat, Miss Bardahl, threw a prop, was damaged in heat 2B, went out of the race. Bill Brow, driver of Miss Burien, started out very well but did not start the final heat after he earned a berth there. Adios, the Tri-City boat (Kennewick-Pasco-Richland, Wash.), made a Sunday morning qualifying deadline with nine seconds to spare after an all-night engine change. Lyle Parks’ Miss Round Table never qualified.
| Boat | Speed | Elapsed Time |
|---|---|---|
| Maverick | 101.752 | 17.41.4 |
| Thriftway, Too | 100.278 | 17:57:00 |
| Miss Spokane | 92.911 | 19:22.4 |
| Miss U.S. 1 | 79.775 | 22:33.8 |
| Miss Thriftway | Dropped out 5th lap | |
| Miss Seattle | Dead on 4th lap | |
| Miss Burien | DNS |
(Reprinted from Sea and Pacific Motor Boat, August 1958, p. 52-N)