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CHRYSLER JEEP SUPERSTORES APBA GOLD CUP
Race: July 15th - 18th, 2004
Visit us at the 46th annual MBIA Detroit Boat Show!
Confirmed Autograph Schedule:
Mark Tate: Feb 11th 6-9pm
Fred Alter: Feb 13th 6-9pm
Danny Foster: Feb 14th & 15th 1pm-4pm
Driver Bios
Mark Tate -
Mark Tate is a two-time APBA Gold Cup Winner. Mark won both his Gold Cup's
here in his hometown on the Detroit River in 1991 as "Winston Eagle" and
in 1994 with the "Smokin' Joes". Mark is a Five (5) time National HIgh
Points Unlimited Hydroplane Champion and he still holds the record for the
fastest lap on the Detroit River - 170mph on a 2.5 mile course. These
days, Mark is kept busy with his corporation headquartered in Canton, MI
- Sun Coatings, an industrial teflon coating supplier for automotive, food
packaging and molding manufacturing. Spare time still belongs to boating
with his two sons now actively racing in limited classes and making them
the 4th generation in hydroplane racing.
Fred Alter -
Fred Alter has been active in Hydroplane Racing since the 1940's. He has
the distinction of having driven more hulls (boats) in competition that
any other driver on record. Known to many as "Fearless Freddie", he earned
that nickname through many exploits. Back in 1973, he drove the experimental
Miss Lapeer - the first boat to use a Turbine engine. Although it took over
a decade, most of the boats today use the turbine engine for their powerplant.
Recently, many of the vintage hydroplanes were involved in filming the story
of the 1971 Gold Cup held in Madison, Indiana. Fred not only drove a vintage
craft for filming, but he earned a place in the Hollywood Stunt Men's Union
for his driving exploits during filming. Fred remains active in his 'day job'
as a bottling plant engineering consultant while indulging in his love for
vintage watercraft. Just one of Fred's current projects is a vintage
all-aluminum Unlimited Hydroplane which is planned to be in the water in
July to help celebrate the Centennial APBA Gold Cup.
Danny Foster -
Danny & his childhood buddy Dan Arena, drove Dan's mother's 1935 Ford coupe
towing their boat on a wooden trailer across the US from California to compete
in his first Gold Cup in 1938. WWII intervened and Danny flew over 6000 hours
as a fighter pilot. After the war, Danny returned to racing and garnered
two (2) APBA Gold Cup Championships with back-to-back wins in 1947 and 1948.
One of Danny's current projects is heading up the restoration of the George
Simon's Miss U.S., which still holds the world record for the fastest
propeller-driven mile on water, set back in 1962 in Guntersville, Alabama.
With a lot of tender loving care, this grand old lady will be back on the
water for the Centennial Gold Cup celebration this July on the Detroit River.
General Info -
The APBA (American Power Boat Association) Gold Cup is officially called the
APBA Challenge Cup. Designed by Tiffany's at the turn of the Century, it is
the oldest motorsports racing trophy in competition today. The first time it
was awarded in competition was 1904; so this year's race, which will be held
July 15-18th, will be the Centennial Gold Cup. The race is presented by the
Detroit River Regatta Association (DRRA) which was formed in 2003 to rescue
the Gold Cup event for Detroit. This All-Volunteer organization achieved a six
week miracle last summer with August's successful race. Currently, the trophy
is in the hands of Tiffany's Jeweler's for a complete restoration funded by
the DRRA and the Historic & Vintage Division of the APBA.
The DRRA is located at 17640 East 9 Mile Rd, Eastpointe, MI 48126.
Contact Joe Schulte at 586.774.0980
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