1958 International Cup
Taking Shape
The nationally known Elizabeth City Regatta for unlimiteds on May 31 is also taking shape.
Race commissioners report six entries are definite thus far and at least two are tentative.
Those sure of running are The U.S. 1 and The U.S. IV, owned by George Simon, of Detroit. Fred Alter and Don Wilson will do the piloting. Gale V and Gale VI, also owned by the Detroiter, Joseph Shoenith, will be entered. The drivers will be Lee Schoenith in VI and either Bill Cantrell or Ray Daly in the V.
Two of the top unlimiteds in the country will also be around. Wildroot Charlie, owned by the Buffalo Launch Club and driven by Bob Schroeder, and the Miss Supertest, owned by the Canadian Col. James Thompson and piloted by Art Asbury, will also race.
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All boats must qualify in the Elizabeth City race. Trials will be held on Saturday, May 31, on a 15-mile course with the 30-mile finals coming on Sunday, June 1, at 4:30 p.m.
To qualify, a boat must run one lap in an average speed of 90 m.p.h. or better.
That speed may sound fast to those unacquainted with unlimited racing but, considering that Miss Supertest held the world's speed record for three weeks last year, it seems slow. She was clocked in the race last year at 194 m.p.h. The present record, held by Seattle’s Hawaii Kai III, is 197.
— May 15, 1958
International Cup Regatta Dates Listed
Elizabeth City, N.C. (Special to Daily Press) — The fifth annual International Cup Regatta, sponsored here each year by the Pasquotank River Yacht Club; will be divided into two classifications and will be run on two separate dates this year. Chairman Dr. William A. Peters has announced.
The Spring, or unlimited, regatta will be held Friday, May 30, through Sunday, June 1. The Fall regatta is scheduled for October 4 and 5 and will feature the national championships in the 280-cubic-inch hydros. The Fall regatta will include 16 other classes of limited inboards and stock outboards.
At present, six of the unlimited hydro owners have notified officials of their intention of racing here over the Memorial Day holidays. Competitors are expected to race at better than 90 m.p.h.
Referee will be Bob Schelling, who was voted the first honorary life membership in the Canadian Boating Federation and who organized the American Power Boat Association’s Region 13 in Canada.
One of the unlimiteds entered this year is Miss Supertest. owned by Col. James Gordon Thompson of Ontario.
— May 19, 1958
Boat Race Program Off Press
Elizabeth City Ready For Spring Regatta Starting May 30
Elizabeth City, N.C. — The new official regatta program is off the press and ready for the spring regatta which will take place May 30-June 1.
The 30-page booklet carries the schedule for the fall regatta as well as the unlimited hydroplane races to take place weekend after next. The fall races will include the limited inboards and stock outboards while the spring races will feature only the larger outboards.
The first heat will take place Saturday at 3 p m. with the second beginning at 4 p m. These are 15-mile races.
On Sunday racing will be resumed at 2 p m. and continue until the last heat beginning at 4:30 p.m., is concluded.
An award and booster dinner will be held at Virginia Dare Hotel Sunday night at 7 p.m. Speaker for this event will be Bob Schelling, honorary vice president of the American Power Boat Association.
The six boats expected to participate in the International Cup Regatta here are expected to arrive during the first part of next week, it was announced Tuesday.
Police Chief Clarence Owens and Sgt. Logan Lane of the Highway Patrol, have promised full cooperation in assisting the boat owners as they approach the city, and in handling the crowds on Saturday and Sunday during the races.
It was also announced that the local Yacht Club will assist the Manteo Yacht Club in staging a regatta at Manteo this weekend.
— May 21, 1958
Boating's Elite Carolina-Bound
By Bill Harrison
Elizabeth City, N.C. — The fifth annual International Cup Regatta for unlimiteds, sponsored each year by the Pasquotank River Yacht Club in Elizabeth City, will be held this weekend.
To date, six hydro owners are signed for the spring event.
Racing will begin on Friday noon with the qualifying runs. Each boat must make a lap (three-mile) run in the average speed of at least 90 m.p.h.
Dr. Bill Peters, racing chairman, announced that Detroiters George Simon and Joe Schoenith will enter their boats in the race. Simon will enter his U.S. 1, and U.S. IV and Schoenith will race his Gale V and Gale VI.
Fred Alter and Don Wilson will pilot the U.S. 1 and IV and Lee Schoenith and Bill Cantrell will drive the Gales. Schoenith will handle the VI and Cantrell, the V.
Others heard from thus far are Wildroot Charlie, owned by the Buffalo (N.Y.) Launch Club and the Miss Supertest, owned by Canadian Col. James Thompson.
Miss Supertest is the holder of the world speed record for power, boats, averaging 184.54 m.p.h. over a measured course last November in Canada.
The unlimiteds take to racing on Saturday with the first heat slated for noon. The finals begin on Sunday afternoon at 12.
— May 27, 1958