Pak Wins Emerald Cup

August 15, 1971 — Billy Schumacher piloted Pride of Pay 'N Pak around Dexter Lake's 2½-mile unlimited course to sweep all three heats and win the Oregon Emerald Cup, 1,200 points toward the national unlimited title and the lion's share of a $15,000 purse. It was Oregon's first unlimited event and was sponsored by the Eugene Jaycees.

Jim Lucero, Pride of Pay 'N Pak crew chief, congratulated Billy Schumacher, driver, after Schumacher piloted the Seattle hydroplane to victory in the Emerald Cup Regatta yesterday on Dexter Reservoir, near Eugene. Dave Heerensperger, owner (wearing Pride of Pay 'N Pak shirt), watched at the bottom.

Pride of Pay 'N Pak moved into third place nationally behind Miss Budweiser (Dean Chenoweth) and Miss Madison (Jim McCormick), but he had a long way to go. As the season waned, Miss Bud had 6,996 points; Miss Madison, 6,313; Pride of Pay 'N Pak, 6,017, and Atlas Van Lines, Bill Muncey, 5,595.

Schumacher toured the Dexter course at 109 m.p.h. in the final heat but was under his qualifying mark of 112 m.p.h. set the day before. He announced then that he intended to win the Dexter races, where his only real competition was McCormick, who drove the community-owned 13-year-old Miss Madison for three second places and 900 points. Schumacher ruled in heats 1A and 2A and Chenoweth and Muncey took heats 1B and 2B, respectively. Bill Muncey was fined $200 for violation of an APBA rule concerning unsportsmanlike conduct after an argument with referee Bill Newton.