| 7/15/2006 9:00:00 AM | Email this article • Print this article |
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| The U-3 Miss Chrysler Jeep, shown above running as the Master Tire at Madison on July 2, topped qualifying for the APBA Gold Cup in Detroit Friday. The Evansville-based boat, owned by former Madisonian Ed Cooper Jr. (below), posted a lap at 159.332 mph with Jimmy King driving. (Staff photo above by Ken Ritchie, below by David Campbell) |
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King leads Gold Cup qualifying
Courier Sports Staff
Jimmy King blazed to an average speed of 159.332 mph to lead qualifying on the first day of the 2006 Chrysler Jeep Superstores American Power Boat Association Gold Cup Friday in Detroit.
King, driving the piston-powered U-3 Miss Chrysler Jeep, led a group of nine drivers who tested on the Detroit River Friday. Two boats, the U-1 Miss Elam Plus driven by Nate Brown and the U-13 Acura of Bellevue, Wash. driven by J. Michael Kelly failed to hit the water.
King’s speed came in just a tick below 160 mph and was one of six to top the 150 mph barrier on a very competitive first day.
Jean Theoret and the U-37 Miss Beacon Plumbing was the second fastest at 156.695 mph.
“We have a good boat, and we have a chance, but it is a long way until the final on Sunday,” said King, who is seeking not only his first Gold Cup but also his first career win. “This is one of the best fleet of boats we’ve ever had for these races and there are many teams that can win it.”
After Theoret, the field tightens considerably with three boats each within 1 1/2 mph of each other. Mike Weber and the U-5 Formulaboats.com leads that group at 153.634, teammate and points leader Mike Allen and the U-7 Miss Detroit Yacht Club is next at 153.128 and Steve David and the U-6 Oh Boy! Oberto/Miss Madison posted a speed of 152.223.
The Miss Elam Plus, the defending national champion, was partially destroyed in an accident at Valleyfield and the team has been forced to run its back-up hull at Detroit. The team had yet to arrive in town by Friday afternoon.
There will be more qualifying and testing this morning with two elimination heats held later in the day. Two more sets of elimination heats plus the final winner take-all championship will be run on Sunday.
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2006 APBA GOLD CUP
Detroit River, Detroit, Mich.
Qualifying Results
Friday, July 14
1. Jimmy King, U-3 Miss Chrysler Jeep, 159.332; 2. Jean Theoret, U-37 Miss Beacon Plumbing, 156.695; 3. Mike Weber, U-5 FormulaBoats.com, 153.634; 4. Mike Allen, U-7 Miss DYC, 153.128; 5. Steve David, U-6 Oh Boy! Oberto, 152.223; 6. J.W. Myers, U-10 Miss Emcor, 150.476; 7. Ken Muscatel, U-2.25 Michigan Mortgage, 141.462; 8. Kevin Aylesworth, U-21 Lucky 21, 139.671; 9. Greg Hopp, U-100 Little Will, 134.298; Nate Brown, U-1 Miss Elam Plus, did not run; J. Michael Kelly, U-13 Acura of Bellevue, Wash., DNR.
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Reader Comments
Posted: Saturday, July 15, 2006
Article comment by:
hillbillie
Thanx Madison Ya are such a great HYDRO Town. I live in Evansville and they dont even cover this sport after the THUDER. They wonder why they are not attracting new race fans.Keep up the excellent coverage.
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