1960 Presidents Cup
1960 September 19
— The Times and Democrat, September 19, 1960
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Ike Left Holding Cup: Who Won Race?
WASHINGTON, Sept. 19. — (UPI) — President Eisenhower was all ready today to present the cup to the winner of the 29th President’s Cup Regatta, but he didn’t get to do it.
Protests by three of the unlimited hydroplane owners forced postponement of Eisenhower’s presentation which was scheduled for this morning at a White House ceremony.
The three owners—Willard Rhodes of Seattle, Miss Thriftway; Samuel DuPont of Wilmington, Del., Nitrogen; and Ole Bardahl of Seattle, Wash., Miss Bardahl —protested the President’s Cup officials’ award of the cup to Chuck Thompson’s Miss Detroit because of a disputed final heat that had race officials in a dither.
Thompson was named the winner on the basis of elapsed time in the three 15-mile heats on the Potomac River after-finishing in a point tie with favored Miss Thriftway. Each had 925 race points.
The final heat pitted Bardahl, Miss Detroit, Nitrogen and Detroit against each other. Race officials at first ruled that Nitrogen and Bardahl jumped the gun and under American Power Boat Association (APBA) rules made the two hydroplanes take another lap. This would have given Miss Detroit the cup.
But DuPont claimed that his Nitrogen did not jump the gun, and after studying a photograph of the start for more than an hour officials changed their original decision, giving Nitrogen the heat win.
— September 19, 1960
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Hydroplane Miss Detroit Takes Cup
WASHINGTON, Sept .19, (AP) — Chuck Thompson claimed his fourth President’s Cup today, but rival hydroplane drivers vigorously disputed the ruling that awarded the Detroit veteran his latest Potomac River triumph.
Their protest, officially filed last night, charged that Thompson jumped the gun in his coral, yellow and blue boat, Miss Detroit, at the start of the final heat.
Thompson had contentedly left the judges’ tower when Bill Muncey, pilot of Seattle's Miss Thriftway, drew up the complaint and signed it in company with fellow entries in Sunday's deciding race of the two-day regatta.
The governing body of unlimited hydroplanes could take weeks to judge the appeal.
A crowd of nearly 40,000 saw Thompson finish third in the final 15-mile test but many had gone home before regatta officials announced, two hours later, that Miss Detroit was allotted the trophy.
First, they had ruled that both Norm Evans in Samuel DuPont’s Nitrogen of Wilmington, Del., and Bill Brow in Ole Bardahl’s Miss Bardahl of Seattle had jumped the gun.
Nitrogen was first to complete the scheduled five laps, almost a half-mile ahead of Miss Thriftway, but she and Miss Bardahl were required to run a penalty lap for the apparent false start.
After studying a photo of the start and deliberating with, other officials. referee E. M. Peatross eventually decreed the evidence was clear only that Miss Bardahi had beaten the gun.
That restored the original order to Miss Thriftway, Miss Detroit and Miss Bardahl.
— Fairbanks Daily News Miner, September 19, 1960
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Detroit Boat Win Protest Is Expected
WASHINGTON, Sept. 19 (UPI) — Willard Rhodes of Seattle, Wash., owner of Miss Thriftway, is expected to protest the finish of the 29th President’s Cup Regatta in which Miss Detroit was placed first ahead of his craft.
Miss Detroit, owned and driven by Chuck Thompson of the motor city, and Miss Thriftway ended three laps of competition on the Potomac River yesterday in a first-place tie with 925 points each.
However, Miss Detroit was declared the winner on elapsed time. She completed the three 15-mile heats in 26:45.9 compared to Miss Thriftway's clocking of 27:05.06.
Rhodes planned to base his protest on the result of the final heat. His craft first was declared the heat winner but later was placed second behind Nitrogen, owned by Samuel Dupont of Wilmington, Del.
Officials had ruled that Nitrogen and Miss Bardahl, owned by Ole Bardahl of Queen City, Wash., jumped the gun for the final heat and made each craft take an extra lap. But the officials, after studying a photograph of the start, ruled only Miss Bardahl had jumped the gun.
— Oakland Tribune, September 19, 1960
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Du Pont Boat Heat Winner
WASHINGTON, Sept. 19 (AP) — Chuck Thompson claimed his fourth Presidents Cup today, but rival hydroplane drivers vigorously disputed the ruling that awarded the Detroit veteran his latest Potomac River triumph.
Their protest, officially filed last night, charged that Thompson jumped the gun in his Miss Detroit at the start of the final heat.
Thompson had contentedly left the judges’ tower when Bill Muncey, pilot of Seattle’s Miss Thriftway, drew up the complaint and signed it in company with fellow entries in yesterday’s deciding race of the two-day regatta. The governing body of unlimited hydroplanes could take weeks to judge the appeal.
A crowd of nearly 40,000, dampened by an intermittent drizzle, saw Thompson finish third in the final 15-mile test but many had gone home before regatta officials announced, two hours later, that Miss Detroit was allotted the trophy.
First, they had ruled that both Norm Evans in Sam Du Pont’s Nitrogen of Wilmington, Del., and Bill Brown in Ole Bardahl’s Miss Bardahl of Seattle had jumped the gun. Nitrogen was first to complete the scheduled five laps, almost a half-mile ahead of Miss Thriftway, but she and Miss Bardahl were required to run a penalty lap for the apparent false start.
After studying a photo of the start and deliberating with other officials, Referee E. M. Peatross eventually decreed the evidence was clear only that Miss Bardahl had beaten the gun. That restored the original order of finish—Nitrogen, Miss Thriftway, Miss Detroit and Miss Bardahl. Coupled with a first and second in previous heats, it also credited Thompson with the same number of points as Muncey earned with his first, third and second.
Thompson was placed first because his total elapsed time for the three 15-mile heats, 26:45.9, was 19.7 seconds shorter than Muncey's clocking.
Muncey still increased Miss Thriftway’s lead in the season’s competition for big ’hydros. With three more regattas on the program, Owner Willard Rhodes’ boat now has 2,325 points to Nitrogen’s 1,296. Only Nitrogen and her sister challenger, Nitrogen Too, are in position to overtake Miss Thriftway.
Evans drove Nitrogen to the only double of the regatta, winning each of his heats yesterday after a break in the boat’s oil line drydocked him Saturday.
— The News Journal, September 19, 1960
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Films Show We Won, Says Thrifty's Pilot
Newsreel film taken from the infield of the President’s Cup race last Sunday show plainly that it was Miss Detroit, along with Miss Bardahl which jumped the gun, Bill Muncey reported from Washington Wednesday.
“This film gives the officials positive information and I fully expect a favorable decision reversing their decision and declaring Miss Thriftway the winner,” Muncey said by telephone.
“George Trimper has the film now and the rest is up to the unlimited racing commission which, he heads.”
— September 19, 1960
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Say 'Miss Detroit' Jumped Gun, also
Rival Hydro Pilots Dispute Award of President's Cup
WASHINGTON (AP) — Chuck Thompson claimed his fourth President’s Cup today, but rival hydroplane drivers vigorously disputed the ruling that awarded the Detroit veteran his latest Potomac River triumph.
Their protest, officially filed Sunday night, charged that Thompson Jumped the gun in his coral, yellow and blue boat. Miss Detroit, at the start of the final heat.
Thompson had contentedly left the Judges’ tower when Bill Muncey, pilot of Seattle's Miss Thriftway, drew up the complaint and signed it in company with fellow entries in Sunday's deciding race of the two-day regatta. The governing body of unlimited hydroplane; could take weeks to judge the appeal.
A crowd of nearly 40,000, dampened by an intermittent drizzle, saw Thompson finish third in the final 15-mlle test but many had gone home before regatta officials announced, two hours later, that Miss Detroit was allotted the trophy.
First, they had ruled that both Norm Evans in Samuel DuPont's Nitrogen of Wilmington. Del., and Bill Brow in Ole Bardahl’s Miss Bardahl of Seattle had Jumped the gun. Nitrogen was first to complete the scheduled five laps, almost a half-mile ahead of Miss, Miss Detroit. but she and Miss Bardahl were required to run a penalty lap for the apparent false start
After studying a photo of the start and deliberating with other officials, Referee E. M. Peatross eventually decreed the evidence was clear only that Miss Bardahl had beaten the gun. That restored the original order of finish—Nitrogen, Miss Thriftway, Miss Detroit and Miss Bardahl. Coupled with a first and second in previous heats. It also credited Thompson with the same number of points as Muncey earned with his first, third and second.
Thompson, who won the Cup piloting the retired Miss Pepsi in 1950-51-52, was placed first in the regatta standings because his total elapsed time for the three 15-mile heats, 26:45.9 was 19.7 seconds shorter than Muncey's clocking.
— Evening Eagle, September 19, 1960
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Detroit Racer Named Winner Of Cup Regatta
WASHINGTON, Sept. 18 (AP). Chuck Thompson’s Miss Detroit was declared winner of the President’s Cup today after regatta officials reversed themselves in a dispute over jumping the gun in the deciding heat.
Rival drivers and owners of big hydroplanes in the final 15-mile race over the Potomac River immediately protested. Led by Bill Muncey, who piloted Miss Thriftway of Seattle to apparent but voided triumph, they contended the veteran Thompson had streaked across the starting line ahead of signal.
Regatta referee E. M. Peatross ultimately ruled that only Bill Brow, at the wheel of Seattle’s Miss Bardahl, had beaten the gun.
That decision cancelled an earlier verdict that both Miss Bardahl and Nitrogen, Samuel Du Pont's Wilmington Del., hydro had started prematurely.
Nitrogen and Miss Bardahl were forced to run an extra lap beyond the scheduled five 3- mile spins over the Potomac course. Both the misses Detroit and Miss Detroit were flagged home after five.
Nitrogen had led Miss Detroit across by almost a half-mile, with Detroit third. And although the penalty lap carried Nitrogen again, dumping her to third position ahead of Miss Bardahl, the original order of finish was eventually ratified —Nitrogen, Miss Detroit, Detroit and Bardahl.
As a result, the 48-year-old Thompson and stocky daredevil Muncey were tied in regatta points for their three heats in the two-day capital speedboating classic. Thompson was awarded the trophy because his elapsed time for the three 15- mile races, 26:45.9, was 19.7 seconds better than Muncey's clocking.
Miss Thriftway might have won except for a washout on the first turn of this afternoon's first qualifying heat. She lost more than half a lap to Miss Detroit and Miss Bardahl before getting under way again and finished third and last.
Thompson won that heat, combining it with a second place yesterday and his third in the final heat.
This was Thompson’s fourth President’s Cup triumph. He’d won three times with Miss Pepsi of Detroit in the early 1950s.
— The Morning News, September 19, 1960
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She Wins Big Boat Race
Miss Detroit for President!
— Special to the Free Press
WASHINGTON — Detroiter Chuck Thompson came out of retirement to win his fourth President’s Cup Race Sunday with Miss Detroit.
Thompson was declared the winner by race officials after he and Bill Muncey in Miss Thriftway were tied on points at the end of their three 15- mile heats.
Each driver had a first, a second and a third-place finish in his three heats. Thompson's elapsed time for the 45 miles was 19.7 seconds faster than Muncey’s.
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Thompson won the first elimination heat, outdueling Bill Brow in Miss Bardahl and Muncey for the lead in the first turn. Muncey’s Miss Thriftway was “washed down” in the fight and by the time he got it going again was a distant third.
In the final heat, Muncey and Thompson trailed Norm Evans over the finish line in a wild race. Officials ruled that Miss Bardahl and Nitrogen beat the starting gun and then changed their ruling to disqualify Miss Bardahl only.
Detroit’s other entry. Miss U.S. 1, which won the first elimination heat, was forced out of the race with mechanical difficulties.
Thompson, a 48-year-old electrical contractor, won the President’s Cup three times with Miss Pepsi.
— Detroit Free Press, September 19,1960
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Two 3rds For Peninsula
Miss Detroit Victor in President’s Cup
WASHINGTON (AP) — Chuck Thompson’s Miss Detroit was declared winner of the President’s Cup Sunday after regatta officials reversed themselves in a dispute over jumping the gun in the deciding heat.
Rival drivers and owners of big hydroplanes in the final 15-mile race over the Potomac River immediately protested.
Led by Bill Muncey, who piloted Miss Thriftway of Seattle to apparent but voided triumph, they contended the veteran Thompson had streaked across the starting line ahead of signal.
Regatta Referee E. M. Peatross ultimately ruled that only Bill Brow, at the wheel of Seattle’s Miss Bardahl, had beaten the gun.
That decision canceled an earlier verdict that both Miss Bardahl and Nitrogen, Samuel duPont’s Wilmington. Del. hydro, had started prematurely.
Nitrogen had led Miss Detroit across by almost a half-mile, with Detroit third. And although the penalty lap carried Nitrogen around the river again, dumping her to third position ahead of Miss Bardahl, the original order of finish was eventually ratified—Nitrogen, Miss Detroit, Detroit and Bardahl.
As a result, the 48-year-old Thompson and stocky daredevil Muncey were tied in regatta points for their three heats in the two-day speedboating classic. Thompson was awarded the trophy because his elapsed time for the three 15-mile races. 26:45.9, was 19.7 seconds better than Muncey's clocking.
This was Thompson’s fourth President’s Cup triumph. He won three times with Miss Pepsi of Detroit in the early 1950s.
Norm Evans monopolized the individual honors, however, by driving Nitrogen to victory in each of her heats Sunday afternoon after being sidelined Saturday with a burst oil line.
In limited competition, the Peninsula recorded third places in the 266-cubic inch race by Dean Burrage and in E Service Runabouts by Edgar Jones.
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FINAL STANDINGS
135 Cubic Inch Hydroplane —
1. Roy E. Witting, Alexandria, Eddy-Boy (625 points, elapsed time 9:53.3)
2. Henry Piechinski, Huntington, N.Y., Good Grief (625, elapsed time 10:13.4)
3. Charles Lloyd. Harrisburg, Pa., Power Mist (427)
4. Frank Vernon, Washington, D.C., Fancy Free (338)
266 Cubic Inch —
1. Skeeter Johnson, Cambridge. Md., Wa Wa Too (800)
2. Edward Aleksandrowicz, Pasadena. Md., Wee Tommy Tucker (600)
3. Dean Burrage, Newport News, Jay Dee (394)
4. Merle Blair, Alexandria, Miss Springfield (296)
48 Cubic Inch —
1. Art McDougall, Alexandria. Road Runner (625);
2. C. W (Jack) Vaughn, Norfolk. Jim Boy II (427);
3. Francis Coneeny, Carneys Point. N.J., Ulua-Kai (400):
4. Howard Wentworth, Hollywood. Fla., Touch’E (353).
136 Cubic Inch —
1. Alton Pierson, Queenstown, Md., Li’l Barb (800)
2. Linford (Stump) Palmer, Lewes, Del., Ca-Lyn-Ja (625)
3. Bill Bunn. Baltimore, Renegade III (600)
4. Billy Brown, Richmond, Wanton Duchess W95)
280 Cubic Inch —
1. Alton Pierson, Queenstown, Md., Bo Bo Too (800)
2. David Clark, Newtonville, Mass., Itt’ldo (569)
3. Phil Hardigan, Media, Pa., Restless Tomcat (525)
4. Jerry Smith (Skeeter Johnson drove final heat), Newport News, Blue Angel (427)
E Service Runabout —
1. Richard Cooper, Miami Beach, Second Mortgage (800)
2. Harry Bickford, Seabrook. Md., Skip-E (525)
3. Edgar Jones, Hampton, Miss Bee Bee (427)
4. Harold Satterfield, Arlington, E-Z Duz It (394)
— Daily Press, September 19,1960
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Chuck Thompson Wins President's Cup Race
WASHINGTON, Sept. 18. — (AP) — Chuck Thompson's Miss Detroit was declared winner of the President's Cup today after regatta officials reversed themselves in a dispute over jumping the gun in the deciding heat.
Rival drivers and owners of big hydroplanes in the final 15- mile race over the Potomac River immediately protested. Led by Bill Muncey, who piloted Miss Thriftway of Seattle to apparent but voided triumph, they contended the veteran Thompson had streaked across the starting line ahead of signal.
Regatta referee E. M. Peatross ultimately ruled that only Bill Brow, at the wheel of Seattle's Miss Bardahl, had beaten the gun.
---The Terre Haute Star, September 19, 1960
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Regatta In Uproar Over Disputed Winner
Washington (AP) — Chuck Thompson’s Miss Detroit was declared winner of the President’s Cup yesterday after regatta officials reversed themselves in a dispute over jumping the gun in the deciding heat.
Rival drivers and owners of big hydroplanes in the final 15-mile race over the Potomac River immediately protested. Led by Bill Muncey, who piloted Miss Thriftway of Seattle to apparent but voided triumph, they contended the veteran Thompson had streaked across the starting line ahead of signal.
Regatta referee E. M. Peatross ultimately ruled that only Bill Brow, at the wheel of Seattle’s Miss Bardahl, had beaten the gun.
That decision cancelled an earlier verdict that both Miss Bardahl and Nitrogen, Samuel DuPont's Wilmington, Del., hydro had started prematurely.
Nitrogen and Miss Bardahl were forced to run an extra lap beyond the scheduled five three-mile spins over the Potomac course. Both the Misses Detroit and Miss Detroit were flagged home after five.
Nitrogen had led Miss Detroit across by almost a half-mile, with Detroit third. And although the penalty lap carried Nitrogen around the river again, dumping her to third position ahead of Miss Bardahl, the original order of finish was eventually ratified — Nitrogen, Miss Detroit, Detroit and Bardahi.
As a result, Thompson and Muncey were tied in regatta points for their three heats in the two-day event. Thompson was awarded the trophy because his elapsed time for the three 15-mile races, 26:45.9, was 19.7 seconds better than Muncey’s clocking.
Miss Thriftway might have won except for a washout on the first turn of yesterday afternoon’s first qualifying heat. She lost more than half a lap to Miss Detroit and Miss Bardahl before getting under way again and finished third and last.
Thompson won that heat, combining it with a second place Saturday and his third in the final.
This was Thompson’s fourth President’s Cup triumph. He’d won three times with Miss Pepsi of Detroit in the early 1950s.
Muncey, with a first Saturday to go with his second and third in yesterday’s drizzle, increased Miss Thriftway’s lead in the 1960 competition among hydroplanes of unlimited size and power.
Norm Evans monopolized the individual honors, however, by driving Nitrogen to victory in each of her heats yesterday afternoon after being sidelined Saturday with a burst oil line.
President’s Cup contestants also will compete in the 13th annual Governor’s Cup Regatta Oct. 1 and 2 at Madison, Ind.
--- The Indianapolis Star, September 19, 1960
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President’s Cup To Detroit Boat
WASHINGTON. D. C. (AP) — Chuck Thompson's Miss Detroit was declared winner of the President's cup Sunday after regatta officials reversed themselves in a dispute over jumping the gun in the deciding heat.
Led by Bill Muncey, who piloted Miss Thriftway of Seattle to apparent but voided triumph, the drivers contended Thompson had started ahead of the signal.
It was ruled that only Bill Brow, at the wheel of Seattle's Miss Bardahl, had beaten the gun.
--- The Des Moines Register, September 19, 1960