Detroit

2005

Here is a quick summary of a great weekend at the 2005 Detroit Gold Cup.

There were about 40 boats in the Vintage Pits. The majority were Wooden Vintage Hydro planes who came to run. There was one Wooden Vintage Jersey Speed Skiff, but it was display only. There were 7 other Speed Skiffs, of which 3 or 4 used to be race boats.

Friday afternoon, the 7 Skiffs who came to run, had a great first heat.

Friday Evening, 4 Skiffs were invited to participate in a fund raiser at the Gross Point Yacht Club.  We were on display with hyrdos and Gold Cup Boats at the entrance to the Club house.  We were honored.

As part of the fund raiser, 4 Skiff rides were auctioned off.  The 4 high bids were  2 at $600.00, and 2 at $500.00 raising a total of $2,200.00.  If I am not mistaken, we represented the largest contribution. A special heat was run on Saturday with just these 4 Skiffs. The four were; Swamp Rat, Flying High, Hot Chocolate and Heartbeat.  (To see the video clip click here)

My passenger (high bidder )was Bob Hughes, the owner's rep. of Miss Madison/ O'Boy Oberto Unlimited, we had a ball.

In the second Speed Skiff Heat, there were 6 Skiffs.  No1SpeedSkiff was behind the wheel of Bruce Lowes - Lowe Blow. I was surprised he decided to participate in the "Charade". He apparently did a great job putting Lowe Blow through it paces. He managed to pass everyone except one.

Sunday we only had one chance to run. Robert Francis in Hot Chocolate and I agreed to run side by side. We were out front and were joined by Bill Mehan in Miss Align. We finished receiving cheers from both sides of the river.  Although we were not racing, the crowd loved the show, and we had a ball.


Paul Nowack
Heartbeat

Additional picture submitted by Bill DeGlopper

Here is a Phil Kunz shot of 2 of the 4 participants in the Detroit fund raiser. Paul mentioned his rider in the article you have posted. My winning bidder was Bill Rands, Pres of the Detroit River Regatta Assn & owner of  both the Unlimited,U-125 Miss Rebecca & also the UL-1 Happy Go Lucky, which repeated at Silver Sweepstakes Champ.  Bill gave his seat to his son-in-law Sergio.  Thanks, Bill

 Heartbeat & Flyin High in Detroit charity raffle ride. (Phil Kunz photo)