1958 International Boundary
Eight Boats In St. Clair Race
Entry List Includes 3 Former Champions
By Ed Senyczko, (Times Herald Assistant Sports Editor)
St. Clair, July 11 — Midwest unlimited class speedboat owners have agreed to enter their monstrous hydroplanes in the fourth annual International Trophy Race here on St. Clair River Sunday.
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The American Power Boat Association informed St. Clair Centennial and Water Carnival officials that eight of the low-flying saucers with horsepower hearts will roar around the three-mile river course.
Don Cheadle, Centennial committee member, said, “we have learned that eight boats will run Sunday and we are really excited about this year's race.”
The tentative entry list includes three former International race champions and a world’s speed record holder. From APBA headquarters in Detroit it was revealed that Such Crust III, 1955 trophy winner, will be racing as will 1956 champion, Gale VI and 1957 winner, Short Circuit.
Such Crust, owned by Jack Schafer, will be driven by Frank “Bud” Saile; Joe Schoenith’s Gale VI will be driven by his son, Lee. and former St. Clair resident. Chuck Thompson, owner of Short Circuit, will drive his defending champion.
Sarnia's Miss Supertest, owned by Colonel Gordon and Jim Thompson, London, Ont, will be driven by Bob Hayward.
The Canadian boat set a new world speed mark last year at Picton, Ont, streaking 184.54 miles-an-hour, eclipsing the previous mark of 178.997 set in 1950 by Stan Sayres' Slo-Mo-Shun IV.
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George Simon's Miss U S. 1, with Fred Alter in the cockpit, is another entry as are Bill Hickson’s Bill-Der, Buffalo's Wildroot Charlie and Crusty.
Such Crust, Bill-Der and Crusty will have to race 90 miles-an hour over a three-mile lap before they will be eligible for the International.
Qualifying trials will start at 9:30 a m. Sunday. The course around the St Clair Middle Ground in St. Clair River will be closed to navigation during the trials and during all race heats.
Race chairman Clayton Smith said, “If seven or more boats are eligible for the International the first two heats will be held in two 15-mile sections and the six finalists will race a third heat of 30 miles.”
Starting time for the race will be noon if there are seven or more entries. If the field is six or fewer the race will begin at 1 p.m.
The U.S Coast Guard and its Auxiliary will patrol the race course along with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
Spectator craft will not be allowed to anchor inside the course or move on the river before the heats.
Anchorage buoys will be provided spectator craft along the American and Canadian shore lines as well as 2,000 feet south of the south turn.
— July 11, 1958