DETROIT, July 9 /PRNewswire/ -- One of the most significant boats in powerboat racing history, the Detroit based Miss U.S.1 returns to the Detroit River this week as a special treat for fans attending the 100th running of the ChryslerJeep Superstores APBA Gold Cup.
The Miss U.S. 1 became the first unlimited hydroplane to break the 200 miles per hour barrier, setting a world record at 200.419 mph on a pair of runs through a measured one-mile course on Lake Guntersville, Alabama on April 17, 1962. The record stood for over 38 years, and still stands today as the unlimited record for a piston powered boat.
Driven by Roy Duby, the Rolls Royce Merlin powered Miss U.S.1, was designed by Californian Dan Arena and built by Les Staudacher of Kawkawlin, Michigan. The boat carries the number U-2 and the signature red, white and blue paint scheme of the U.S. Equipment Company, a Detroit based machine tool business, supplying turnkey machining systems to the automotive industry since 1946.
Free of aerodynamic appendages, the boat is a traditional hydroplane design, with the driver seated behind the World War II vintage fighter plane engine.
Former Gold Cup champion Danny Foster led the restoration of the Miss U.S.1 on behalf of the Simon family and the U.S. Equipment Company. A group of volunteers including former Gold Cup champion Tom D'Eath and NASCAR team owner Jack Roush's Roush Aviation assisted Foster.
The Miss U.S.1 will be on display July 11-13, in the Bill Muncey Pit Area at the foot of Marquette Drive off East Jefferson Avenue in Detroit. The first run of the Miss U.S.1 is scheduled for Friday morning with subsequent appearances in conjunction with other Vintage hydroplanes on both Saturday and Sunday of the host Detroit River Regatta Association's Chrysler-Jeep Superstores APBA Gold Cup weekend.
"This week marks the 100th running of the American Power Boat Association Gold Cup race and we wanted to have something special for the fans," said George and Paul Simon, of the U.S. Equipment Company, sons of long-time boat owner George Simon.