The Wilmington morning star., 1946-09-06

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to the event indicate that between
$50 and 100 amateur and profess
sional cupboard racers will take
part in the day-loag event, accord
ing to w. M. Red" Echols,
Jaycee racing committee chair
man. That Virginia cupboard
racers intend 10 try for a major.
ity Of the prizes became evident
earlier this week when officials
of the Virginia Power Boat AS
ISOLATION notified Echols that ap-
proximately go runabout and
hydroplane boats from the Old
Dominion state would be on hand
for the starters gun.
The hydroplane races are sane
toned by the National Cupboard
Drivers Association, and any re-
cords established over the Banks
Channel course will be recognized
as official. Hydroplane races will
be held in Glasses A, B, c, and F,
while runabout classes include A,
c, and Unlimited.
The s. 1000 in cash prizes, plus
$500 in appearance money to be
divided among all racers appear
ing ready for their particular
event, allot $50 to each heat win
ner in the hydroplane events with
$50 Cor second place, $40 for third,
and $40 for fourth place. The
prize money places the Wrishts-
vile event among the biggest in
the nation from a standpoint Of
monetary attraction to cupboard
drivers, according to Echols.
Added color to the days pro-
gram may be provided by the
person Of Guy Lombardo, famous
band leader and recent winner Of
the National Gold Cup Challenge
speedboat races in Detroit. Lom-
bardo, recognized as n OF the
leading speedboat pilots in the
world as well as the leader OF the
dance band, was extended an in
vitation last night by the Jaycees
to serve as honorary referee for
the racing program. The band
leaders personal representative
indicated that Lombardo might be
able to arrange his schedule to be
present in a judging capacity in
asmuch as the Lombardo dance
band is playing Tuesday night I'M
der Jaycee sponsorship in Lum-
ina pavilion at Wrightsville Beach.
The racing course, as laid out
early this week by surveyors,
places the start and finish lines
directly opposite the Carolina
Yacht Club pier at Wrightsville
Sound. The cours itself will be
one mile around the turning buoys,
with straightaways of approx
mately one-half mile each.
To insure maximum safety pre-.
cautions, a Coast Guard boat is
being detailed to the Sound to
patrol the course against trespass-
ers durinng the racing program.
Wilmington will be represented
by at least eight speed merchants,
racing both runabouts and hydro
planes. Among local entries re-
ceived by the Jaycee committee
are those Of Fred Willetts, Jr.,
Hugh Bell, Clayton Cofer, Buck
Cheatham, B e r n a r d Abrams,
Sandy Robertson, Earnest Shinn,
and Charles Blake. Blake will
race his speedy class c hydro
plane, bucking some Of the coun-
try's top professional drivers in
that class. Coming from New
Bern for the event and racing
class A and c runabouts are E.
Lane, J. Baxter, Guy Hamilton, R.
H. Robinson, Jr., j. J. Arthur, R.
H. Morrison, Jr., and w. H. May.
Other. top-notch Tar Heel drivers
who are entering one or more
events are S. Prosser, Charlotte;
Henry West, Chapel Hill; Ray
mond Elks, Washington, N. c.;
Johnny Cooper, Richmond, Va:
Earl Tucker, Richmond, Va; Vic
tor Ruark, Bellhaven, N. c.; Otis
Johnson, Bellhaven, N. c.; c. w.
Dawson, Kinston; Bobby Deal,
Hickory; Tommy Hunter, Raleigh.
Atlanta, Greenville, S. c., Null
Inns, S. c., Norfolk and Richmond,
Va, and Jacksonville, Fla, are
likewise sending large numbers
Of drivers and boats to the classic.
Return of big Time"
Tomorrow's cupboard t
marks the return to Wilmington
area waters Of big-time~ boat
aces. During the 192o's, and
again in the late 1905, Whining
ton and Wrightsville were popular
centers for cupboard racers and a
majority of the nations top-flight
drivers competed here in one or
another events. The revival OF
big-time cupboard racing in the
Wrightsville Sound comes after
five war years during which time
sharp curbs were placed on rae
ing because of military require
ments.
Success of the event tomorrow,
according to Echols, will insure
that future racing dates OF equal
magnitude, or larger, can be ar
ranged for this
Experienced drivers tell me
that the Wrightsville Sound course
is n of the finest in the country