Evening star., 1938-05-15
F0NDA'S SUCCESS
IS SPUR TO SPORT
Boat Folk Focus Today on
13O.MiIe Contest From
Albany to Gotham.
Ry MALCOLM LAMBORNE. Jr.

BY MALCOLM LAMBORNE. Jr.
With the boating telescope focused
on the llth annual marathon on the
Hudson River today. officially open
ing the speedboat season in the North
q group of local drivers are laying
plans for expansion of racing among
Washington devotees.
The boys who know what the trend
will be, particularly in the amateur
ranks, are casting their lot both in
the outboard and 135-cubic-inch
classes. Lay the cause for the out
board swing to that outstanding si-
mon-pure of last year, Doug c. Fonda
Of Orange, N. j., who, it will be re-
membered. cleaned up in events Of
the Presidents Cup Regatta last Sep
tember.
And why the 1856? artly because
It's a neat and comparatively mex
pensive Job and mostly because the
225-cubic-inch hydroplanes have been
taken over during the last season by
professional drivers. A number Of
1855 have been built this year through
the country and it all promises we'll
for the class.
Jack Hyde has been seen tuning
up new boat off Corinthian Yacht
Club. The job is something of Sc
cret still, but it can be said the boat
has background that augurs we'll for
It's performance this year. The 75-hp.
Universal engine used in his Wrinkle
III will supply power for the new
boat.
Fuller Buys Wrinkle liz.
Lanky Emery Fuller, who served as
mechanic for another local speedster
last year, has purchased the Wrinkle
III Behind closed doors, Fuller has
been building his own power plant for
the craft. Should the job prove a
success, then Fuller will have a sure
winner in the Wrinkle.
Report is that John Sassnett, Wash
ington outboard driver, has decided
on class F motor for his craft this
year. The largest division for the
little cookie shells, it is tough class.
A group of local enthusiasts are
planning to create an outboard head
quarters here. with Offices at 1927
Pennsylvania avenue NV, according
to Hyde. Not bad idea when you
consider that the closest outboard
center is at Richmond.
On viewing the class on the ma
tional front, recent developments in
engineering which have given the
sport big lift promise to humble the
majority of records for the outboards.
Three new racing engines, faster
than any of the current stock models,
will be available for some ZOO reg
istered racing pilots. Experts say
these engines will jump the existing
speed marks from to miles an hour.
The A. B and c classes, incidentally,
are the ones to benefit.
II predictions for the flying shingles
pan out, the class record of 5841
m.p.h. will be topped by mark in
excess of so miles and a new class B
speed Of So miles should be made.
They even are forecasting the high
mark for outboards. 1910 m.ph., will
be moved up to 80 miles.
Woman in Marathon.
This outboard classic of today, the
l3o-mile grind from Albany to New
York City. will attract not only the
top drivers of the East. but speedsters
from the Midwest and California. In
cluded in a field Of approximately 100
entries are four previous winners,
Marshall Eldredge. Chart johnson,
Fred Jacoby and Clayton Bishop. If
one Of them repeats it will be the
first time since the crazy event started
in 1928.
Doug Fonda and Ken Mckenzie
OF New Haven, Conn, another ma
tional titleholder have signed up, and
young Gar Wood, jr., is expected.
Among the starters will be a Sara
toga Springs. N. Y. woman, Mrs.
Katherine Grippen. who will be max
ing her third attempt to beat the jinx
for woman drivers that hovers over
the Hudson. The fourth and most
persistent of her sex to attem 1t the
run, she will be driving class A boat.
In 1896 she barely got across the
starting line and last year fell out
at the halfway point. Among Mrs.
~fiiPPSiic opPollClllS AL lIlt n ulNl-
sion will be her husband, George, who
is making his fourth try at completing
the course.
Judging from past performances,
not more than one out Of every three
will be able to last the 1870 miles
from Albany to New York. How
ever, with reports that the Hudson
this time is ideal for the event, things
might be different Up until yester-
day entries were lined up this way:
18 for class A. % for the BIS. % in
G class, II in F class, II for out
board runabouts and for the inboard
division.
The richest prize list in the history
Of the race is awaiting the lucky driv-
ers. Cash awards now total S2,095.
First prize is $500, something to risk
your neck for these days.
Among numerous prizes will be
medal for each entrant to complete
the course. as a memorial to the late
Charles c. Alexander. jr.. who was
secretary for the Middle Atlantic Out
board Association for many years.
TIGERS pI,AY TAVERNc