1964 Dixie Cup
Hydros Start '64 Circuit (excerpt)
The roaring unlimited hydros started their 1964 Circuit of races on June 21st at the Dixie Cup Regatta at Guntersville Alabama, and two weeks later moved to Detroit for the Gold Cup Race.
Veteran driver Bill Muncey, formerly of Miss Thriftway fame, took the Dixie event before a crowd of some 40,000 fans. When the fastest five boats came out for the final heat it was still anybody's guess as to the winner. Bill Muncey in Notre Dame had 800 points with Ron Musson in Miss Bardahl right behind him with 700 and Buddy Byers in Miss Madison, also with 700. Tempo and Mariner Too completed the field. All five boats jumped begun as the final heat started with both Miss Bardahl and Notre Dame caught in rooster tails from other boats. Muncey made a quick recovery but Musson stopped briefly while Notre Dame took out after a front running Miss Madison.
When the heat ended, Miss Madison was first to which gave her a total of 1100 points. Notre Dame, also with the 1100 points was awarded the Cup on the basis because of any average speed for the day of 99.122 mph against Miss Madison's 95.833. With 925 points Miss Bardahl was third, Tempo fourth with 652 and Mariner Too fifth with 639.
Other final placements found Miss Budweiser sixth with 625, Blue Chip seventh with 469, Miss Smirnoff eighth with 450, $ Bill ninth with 225 and Tahoe Miss tenth with 169. Gale V and Savair's Mist tied for eleventh while St. Regis failed to qualify.
(Reprinted from Sea and Pacific Motor Boat, September 1964, pp. 73-74)