APBA Gold Cup

Updated August 28, 2020 | Infoplease Staff

APBA Gold Cup Waves of controversy struck as Nate Brown won the APBA Gold Cup, piloting the U-10 Miss Detroit Yacht Club to victory July 18, 2004 on the Detroit River. Brown did not cross the finish line first and it was five-time Gold Cup champ Dave Villwock who had apparently earned his sixth title until about an hour after the race when officials announced that Villwock and Miss Budweiser had been disqualified for infractions (lane violations) that occurred before the start of the race. Video replays backed up a helicopter referee’s original call that Miss Budweiser moved into the lane of and struck U-16 Miss Elam Plus.

The American Power Boat Association Challenge Cup for unlimited hydroplane racing is the oldest active motorsports trophy in North America. The first Gold Cup was competed for on the Hudson River in New York in June and September 1904. Since then several cities have hosted the race, led by Detroit (34 times) and Seattle (14). Note that (*) indicates driver was also owner of the winning boat.

Drivers with multiple wins: Chip Hanauer (11); Bill Muncey (8); Dave Villwock and Gar Wood (5); Dean Chenoweth (4); Caleb Bragg, Tom D’Eath, Lou Fageol, Ron Musson, George Reis and J.M. Wainwright (3); Danny Foster, George Henley, Vic Kliesrath, E.J. Schroeder, Bill Schumacher, Zalmon G. Simmons Jr., Joe Taggart, Mark Tate and George Townsend (2).