Reprinted from The New York Times, July 6, 1971
WASHINGTON, June 5 — A Potomac River swollen with debris from recent heavy rains has added to the problems suffered by the sensitive sport of unlimited hydroplane racing on the eve of tomorrow's final heat of the President's Cup regatta.
Since a 30-foot, 7,000-pound shell-flat hydroplane powered by aeroplane engines putting out nearly 4,000 horsepower could disintegrate if it hit log at 200 miles an hour, it is easy to understand the quick ruling of officials here that called off the qualifying trials and allowed the fleet that competed in Miami two weeks ago to compete here automatically.
Miss Madison, the senior entry in the six-boat fleet with 13 years of service, posted the fastest average speed despite today's humidity and still water with a time of 100.991 miles an hour. The pilot, Jim McCormick, managed only 2½ second margin, however, as Pride of Pay 'n Pak nearly closed the gap in the final mile.
Miss Budweiser, the two-time national champion and this year's point leader, driven by Dean Chenoweth, captured the first heat, averaging 99.557 miles per hour. Atlas Van Lines II, the new hydro with colorful Bill Muncey at the helm, was a distant second.
Hallmark Homes was in third place and Notre Dame with a “did not finish” to her name are the other boats in the fleet. Both, however, could take the cup with consistent performances tomorrow.
“I see a different winner in each race this season. For the first time in a long time,” he said. “I don't think one boat is going to walk away with the marbles so easily. Every boat here has the ability to win.”
For one thing there are three brand new boats in the fleet and their potential is unknown. They include Miss Timex, Atlas Van Lines II and Country Boy. Then there is Pride of Pay 'n Pak, which is in her second year of campaigning but has a revised design and new Rolls Royce engines.
“Hallmark Homes is the former national champion boat. Miss Bardahl,” Newton continued, “so she is a definite contender, as well as last year's Gold Cup runner-up, Notre Dame. That leaves the 13-year-old Miss Madison, and she only finished second in Miami last month.
“So you can see, everybody's got a great chance to take most of the $20,000 purse and the President's Cup,” Newton added.
For the 50-year-old Newton, the President's Cup will be his 86th unlimited race his sixth season as the only unlimited hydro referee in the sport that he has been a part of since 1951. A sales engineer for Huck Manufacturing Company in Detroit, Newton spends June through September, however camped out along lake and river shores across the United States, sleeping much of the time in aeroplane seats, stretched out when there's no crowd and bunched up in ball when it is S.R.O.
Why does Newton, the father of six children, travel thou sands of miles, bake under blistering sun, make thorny decisions and put up with all of the tensions and frustrations associated with being a sports arbiter?
“I wouldn't trade places with any one,” he said. “This sport keeps me sharp, alert and fresh for my own business. It's the perfect escape. To say I love it, isn't strong enough,” said the former Michigan State football blocking back and infielder.
Fleet Should Double
The unlimiteds move to Owensboro, Ky., next week, to Detroit on June 27 before the American Power Boat Association Gold Cup race is held July 4 at Madison, Ind. From there, the thunderboats head west for five more race on the coast and in Texas.
“The fleet should double in number by the time we hit the Columbia River in Washington State,” remarked Phil Cole, the executive secretary of the Unlimited Racing Commission.
“But it's too bad the eastern half of our 10-regatta schedule has to be so meager. There are many boats ready and willing to compete, but not able to be cause of rising costs,” he explained.
“Money is the name of the game for unlimiteds but it is ironic that in a sport that attracts hundreds of thousands of spectators at a single race, we have trouble convincing sponsors in other cities to par take of the thrilling spectacle that unlimited racing has be come.
“They just don't seem to want to shell out the $40,000 necessary to put on an unlimited hydroplane regatta, even when we tell them it's a sure money maker.
“It's getting to be a rough business, all right,” sighed Cole as he watched what looked like a couple of railroad ties floating down the two-and-a half-mile Potomac course.