1961 APBA Gold Cup
Seattle Seeks Gold Cup
Seattle is offering cash prizes as an inducement to bring the Gold Cup race to Seattle during the 1961 Seafair. The big American Power Boat trophy for unlimited hydroplanes is without a sponsor since the fiasco on Lake Mead in November produced no winner.
Greater Seattle Inc., which works with the Seattle YC in putting on the annual hydroplane spectacle, has sent a letter of intent to George Trimper, Buffalo, NY, chairman of the Unlimited Racing Commission of the APBA, asking for an Aug. 6 date in Seattle for this race and offering appropriate cash prizes.
If Seattle gets the Gold Cup and puts up attractive prizes, it will result in the most spectacular competition for this cup since the first challenge. Every sound hydroplane hull in the West will probably be out and running if an event of this kind is obtained for Seattle.
Ole Bardahl's Miss Bardahl, which limped along most of the 1960 season, reports that she is in perfect balance, and ready to go.
Seattle now has a most formidable and powerful fleet, including Miss Thriftway, Miss Seattle Too, Miss Burien, Miss Bardahl, and the rebuilt Wahoo. These are certainly the fastest boats ever gather in one city, and make Seattle a powerful contender for the Gold Cup.
Another Northwest boat that plans an extensive campaign in 1961 is Miss Spokane, which the Spokane, Wash. backers plane to send on and eastern tour for the first time. Her home waters are Lake Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.
(Reprinted from Sea and Pacific Motor Boat, February, 1961, p. 91)