Regatta Review #227

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Jimmy Shane and U-6 Oberto Win Detroit Gold Cup

Detroit, Michigan (July 13, 2014) -- Jimmy Shane, driver of the U-6 Oberto hydroplane, just added his name to the oldest trophy in all of motorsports when he clinched the APBA Detroit Gold Cup today.

"We won the Gold Cup! I can't wait to continue this ride with Oberto, leaving Detroit as Gold Cup champion and leader in national high points. This is just the best way to start the season, and we are ready to take on the rest of the circuit."

Shane went undefeated during the qualifying heats and won by a steady lead after Graham Trucking's J. Michael Kelly, who took an early lead, was penalized one lap after an infraction.

The U-6 Oberto is owned by the city of Madison, Indiana. The last time the Madison, Indiana, boat won the Gold Cup was in 1971. Their previous driver, Steve David, was a 12-time runner up for the Gold Cup, which makes Shane's win especially thrilling for them.

"I have known Jimmy since he was a little kid, and I knew right away that he was going to be a great racer," said Mark Weber, Event Director for the Detroit River Regatta Association (DRRA), which produces the Gold Cup races. "He is talented and I highly doubt this will be the last time he is on top of our winner's stand."

Brian Perkins and the U-21 Miss Al Deeby Dodge took second and Cal Phipps and the U-7 Graham Trucking placed third.

More Stories in the Media

Jimmy Shane wins Detroit APBA Gold Cup for first time
Detroit Free Press article by Mike Brudenell:
http://www.freep.com/article/20140713/SPORTS16/307130146/detroit-gold-cu...

Jimmy Shane, 28, is youngest Gold Cup winner since Chip Hanauer
Detroit News article by David Goricki:
http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140713/SPORTS03/307130031/Jimmy-Sha...

With video: Driver OK after blowover crash at Detroit Gold Cup:
http://www.freep.com/interactive/article/20140712/SPORTS16/307120068/det...

A story about a couple local racers that ran in the 5 Liter class
Free Press article by Zach Libby:
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2014307120037

Onetime hydroplane racer Bob Dabrowski a real survivor:
http://www.freep.com/article/20140713/SPORTS18/307130121/Bob-Dabrowski-g...

New August Date and Boat Class for the 2015 Detroit Gold Cup Races

Detroit, Michigan (July 12, 2014) - The Detroit River Regatta Association (DRRA) announces a new date--August 21-23, 2015--for the annual APBA Gold Cup races, which feature unlimited hydroplanes racing at speeds nearing 200 miles per hour.  The switch was made strategically to avoid the Fourth of July holiday, which typically drives people out of town.

"We have been hoping for the opportunity to move the event because so many people travel around the July Fourth holiday," said Tom Bertolini, President of the DRRA, which produces the races each year. "When the third weekend in August opened up, we jumped at the chance.  Now even more people will have the opportunity to participate in this Detroit tradition."

Additionally, the DRRA and the American Canadian Hydroplane Association (ACHA) jointly announce the return of the Grand Prix class to Detroit in 2015.  Different than the Unlimiteds that compete annually for the Gold Cup trophy, the Grand Prix hydroplanes use blown engines and generate more noise, topping out around 150 miles per hour. They will compete on the Detroit River for the Silver Cup.

"Our Grand Prix teams are very pleased with ACHA's decision to return to Detroit with all its racing history, prestige and media coverage," said Michel Poirier, General Director of the Valleyfield Regatta, held annually in Quebec.  "The addition of Detroit to the ACHA-GP series is the result of some serious efforts made by both organizations with one goal: to continue to promote and improve the sport."

Next summer marks the 99th anniversary of the first Gold Cup race on the Detroit River and it promises to be bigger and better than ever.  Over the course of the past few years, the DRRA has been researching additional classes of boats to bring to the event to make it a true festival of speed; while the Grand Prix class is the latest addition, it most likely will not be the last.

"With the 100th anniversary approaching and our ten-year deal with the APBA to keep the Gold Cup in Detroit coupled with our prime spot in August and adding the GPs, I can't imagine a better setup for an already-historic event," said Mark Weber, Event Director for the DRRA.

 

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