1958 Diamond Cup
Miss Spokane Crew Jubilant Over Tests
“She’s going great. Now all we need is that new propeller we’ve ordered.”
That's how things stacked up with the Miss Spokane unlimited hydroplane which went through a full day of testing at Newman lake yesterday, crew chief George Alexieve reported.
“The new engine performed beautifully,” he said. “We were able to get nearly three hours running time on it and it never missed a beat. We're still having trouble picking up speed after coming out of the turns, however. and probably won't be able to do anything about that until our new prop arrives.”
A new, lower-pitched propeller has been on order for some time and has been promised in time for use in the Diamond Cup at Coeur d'Alene. Alexieve said that a new change in the hull has improved the turning ability of the boat considerably.
Yesterday the members of the crew got a chance to find out what it's like to drive the big boat. All took turns driving it at speeds varying from 70 to 120 miles an hour as the new engine was being broken in.
Tests will continue today, tomorrow and Friday. The boat will he brought to the city garage on Saturday for a complete recheck before being taken to Coeur d'Alene next Monday for final Diamond Cup testing.
From Coeur d’Alene yesterday came the report that Miss U.S. 1, from Detroit, currently leading in national point standings, would compete in the Diamond cup. She is the 12th boat entered. Yesterday the Adios from the Tri-City area became an official entry.
There's a probability that at least one and possibly two more Detroit boats will enter, race officials reported.
— June 18, 1958
Sports Notes
By Gil Gilmmore
When the unlimited hydro Miss Spokane did its full twist with a half flip last week [on Newman Lake], the splash even rocked the crew behind the Adios here in the Tri-Cities.
For the thing that happened to Miss Spokane is precisely what the Adios crew fears may happen to the Adios betwixt now and race time.
The Spokane boat was cruising along in high and mighty fashion when it hit the wake of a small boat. Shortly thereafter, the number of entries in the Diamond Cup race at Coeur d’Alene was reduced from 11 to ten. The pilot, Capt. Dallas Sartz, was thrown 60 feet, losing his helmet and shoes, but not seriously injured.
The craft lost its tail, tail cowling, nosepiece, instrument cowling and its seat. Spokane backers hope to get it back together in time for the Tahoe race.
— June 20, 1958
Spokane May Sell Hydro
Spokane (AP) - Because of financial problems, the Miss Spokane unlimited hydroplane may go on the auction block after next Sunday’s Diamond Cup race on Lake Cocur d’Alene, backers reported Sunday.
Directors of the Spokane Unlimited Hydroplane Assn, and the Miss Spokane crew decided at a meeting here that the hydro definitely will compete at Coeur d’Alene.
Don Kluges, association president, said, however, if some $13,000 in debts are not retired and additional money raised to enter her in the Gold Cup race at Seattle the Miss Spokane will be sold to the highest bidder.
Kluges said the association owes $11,000 and orders for parts and equipment needed to race at Coeur d’Alene amount to an additional $3,000.
“This is our final appeal.’ he aaid “We cannot kid ourselves any longer on finances. Our bills and debts must be paid; if that requires selling the boat, we’ll sell it”.
Miss Spokane was bought as a community-sponsored craft with “owners” buying in for a dollar or more. About $10,000 was raised in a fund drive in the Inland Empire.
— June 23, 1958
Money Is Scarce but Hydro Ready
While workers investigated all means of raising money to keep the boat off the auction block, the crew of the Miss Spokane unlimited hydroplane put finishing touches on her yesterday in preparation for Sunday’s Diamond Cup regatta on Lake Coeur d’Alene.
The engine was “fired up” at Felts Field [Spokane] yesterday and while the crew reported a little carburetor trouble everything appeared ready for the week-end race.
Crew Chief George Alexieve had a big surprise for the crew members when they noted that the engine had been named a “Colfinmorvard Special.” The name was printed on both valvecover heads.
It’s not an engine from the Scandinavian air force, however. It’s named after the boat’s engine men — John Colman, Jack Finlayson, John Morse and Don Evard, all master sergeants with the 116th Air National Guard squadron.
The engine is the same one that powered the boat to a third place finish in the Apple Cup at Chelan in May.
Alexieve said it was unlikely the craft would be taken to Coeur d’Alene until early tomorrow.
President Don Klages said the drive to raise $13,000 for the boat was gaining momentum. Air national guard volunteers will man a service station at Sprague and Sherman tomorrow for round-the-clock service this week end. All profits will go to the Miss Spokane fund.
Officials of the Diamond Cup committee in Coeur d’Alene today reported that everything was going smoothly and would be ship-shape for the field of 70 limited hydroplanes which will race Saturday afternoon and the unlimiteds on Sunday.
Officials still were uncertain as to the size of the unlimited field. A dozen boats are certain to he on hand but that number may be increased to 14. Vice Commodore Duane Hagadone said the Miss B and I of Tacoma was a possibility and so was the Gale VI from Detroit.
On the grounds are the Miss Bardahl, Maverick, Coral Reef, Miss Burien and Miss U.S. 1. Slated to arrive today are Miss Seattle, Miss Thriftway, Thriftway Too, Miss Pay'n Save, Question Mark, and Adios, the 24-cylinder Allison powered craft representing the Richland-Pasco-Kennewick area.
— June 26, 1958
Diamond Cup Entry?
Coeur d’Alene Diamond Cup officials were still in the dark today as to whether the Gale VI, the huge two-engined Detroit unlimited hydroplane was going to compete at the Lake City this week end.
Word out of Detroit was that the boat left the Motor City on Monday, its destination unannounced. One Detroit boat, Miss U.S. 1 arrived for the unlimited event yesterday.
— June 26, 1958
Hydro Comments
A lot of people apparently feel that an all-out effort should be made to correct the Miss Spokane hydroplane financial woes and keep the Spokane boat racing under its lilac colors,
Joe Primeau called yesterday to say that “we shouldn’t let go of the hydroplane now that we’re all in it. I believe we should all make a good try to keep the boat.”
Former Mayor Art Meehan was another who called. He said: “By all means let’s keep Miss Spokane to represent our city in one of the fastest growing spectator sports.”
Meehan said the boat gave Spokane a well-rounded sports program that few cities could point to.
Auto dealer Bruce Buchanan said he found that hydro fever was contagious when he went out to see the boat at Felts Field [Spokane] and was impressed with the enthusiasm of of the boat’s crew.
“If nothing else we owe it to those men to see that the boat remains here,” he said.
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Non-Hydro Fan
Richard DeDonato called to say that he wasn’t a hydroplane enthusiast but that he was enthusiastic about anything that promoted the name of Spokane.
“Anything that represents the community should be supported, period,” he said.
He said he was going to ask his employees to contribute to the boat’s $13,000 fund drive and that his company would match whatever his employees donated.
“I feel all companies should attempt the same thing,” he said.
Denny Spollecy, manager of the Elks lodge, had high praise for the work of the crew. “They’ve gone so far to get the job done that the least the people can do is give them a chance to get the boat to the Gold Cup,” no said.
Insurance man Gene Ballantyne called to urge support of the hydro project and offered his aid in the fund drive.
Nave Lein called to report he was donating the money he had won on a quiz program and to report that his daughter, Mrs. Ann Myers, had organized a group of her friends to conduct a week-end car washing project to raise funds for the boat.
— June 27, 1958