hydroplane racing

The Gold Cup is the oldest trophy in motorsports.  Jack Beebe and his brother Martin were boat builders early on for Chris Craft but also built racing engines.  Jack went on to accomplish many things in the boating and automotive worlds including being the first person to travel in a boat over 70 m.p.h. as well as build engines for Wills Ste. Claire, an automobile manufacturer in Marysville, MI.  Tom Bertolini is the great-grandson of Jack Beebe and ran the Detroit hydroplane races for several years...

A brief history of Jack Beebe...

The Detroit River has hosted many classes of boat racing over the years...

Michigan has a strong connection to boat racers and builders alike...

Tom discusses the challenges of putting on hydroplane races today in public waterways...

Marketing such an event has even greater challenges...

The races are family friendly and offer other attractions as well...

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Detroit UAW-GM Spirit of Detroit Hydrofest 2015

The UAW-GM  Spirit of Detroit Hydrofest is held on the Detroit River just in front of Belle Isle.  Check out the action from the 2015 races and car show!