Madison Regatta
Encyclopedia
The Lucas Oil Indiana Governor's Cup or Madison Regatta, is a hydroplane boat race and is the first official race of the Air National Guard H1 Unlimited Series season. Its title sponsor for 2010 is Lucas Oil
. The race is typically held around Fourth of July weekend on the Ohio River
in Madison, Indiana
, USA. Madison has hosted the Madison Regatta annually since 1951, although the race was also contested in the 1930s. The race inspired a Hollywood motion picture in 1999 titled Madison
which starred actor Jim Caviezel.
as early as 1911. But the first major race didn't occur until 1929. That was when the now-defunct Mississippi Valley Power Boat Association conducted a race for the 725 Cubic Inch Class, which evolved into the Unlimited Class after World War II
. The MVPBA conducted the Webb Trophy at Madison in 1930. The Webb Trophy was the MVPBA equivalent of the APBA
Gold Cup--their top award.
The 725s raced at Madison throughout the 1930s until the disastrous Ohio River
flood of 1937 and World War II
brought down the curtain for a while.
The current series of regattas in Madison began in 1949. This was a "wildcat" race, administered by the Ohio Valley Motor Boat Racing Association of Cincinnati. The largest class present was the 225 Cubic Inch Class.
The first Unlimited race took place in 1950. The Unlimited races at Madison in 1950-51-52-53 were one-heat multi-class free-for-all affairs. They didn't count for National High Points.
The first High Points Unlimited race at Madison occurred in 1954. This came about largely through the efforts of Madison Courier columnist Phil Cole. (A High Points Unlimited race must be scheduled for a minimum of two heats with at least four boats making a legal start.)
Madison has an uninterrupted string of High Points Unlimited races every year since 1954.
The Madison committee is the longest continuously active Unlimited
committee in the country. Madison Regatta, Inc. (formerly the Madison
Boat Club) has hosted the Unlimiteds every year since 1950. Seattle didn't start until 1951. Detroit has been on the circuit since 1946, but with four different committees.
A total of 54 major Unlimited races (excluding the free-for-all races) have been run at Madison since 1954.
Lucas Oil
Lucas Oil Products is a manufacturer and distributor of automotive oil, additives, and lubricants. It was founded by trucker Forrest Lucas and his wife Charlotte in 1989....
. The race is typically held around Fourth of July weekend on the Ohio River
Ohio River
The Ohio River is the largest tributary, by volume, of the Mississippi River. At the confluence, the Ohio is even bigger than the Mississippi and, thus, is hydrologically the main stream of the whole river system, including the Allegheny River further upstream...
in Madison, Indiana
Madison, Indiana
As of the census of 2000, there were 12,004 people, 5,092 households, and 3,085 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,402.9 people per square mile . There were 5,597 housing units at an average density of 654.1 per square mile...
, USA. Madison has hosted the Madison Regatta annually since 1951, although the race was also contested in the 1930s. The race inspired a Hollywood motion picture in 1999 titled Madison
Madison (film)
Madison is a semi-fictional 2001 film about APBA hydroplane racing in the 1970s. It stars James Caviezel as a driver who comes out of retirement to lead the Madison, Indiana community-owned racing team.-Background:...
which starred actor Jim Caviezel.
History
Informal racing took place in Madison, IndianaMadison, Indiana
As of the census of 2000, there were 12,004 people, 5,092 households, and 3,085 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,402.9 people per square mile . There were 5,597 housing units at an average density of 654.1 per square mile...
as early as 1911. But the first major race didn't occur until 1929. That was when the now-defunct Mississippi Valley Power Boat Association conducted a race for the 725 Cubic Inch Class, which evolved into the Unlimited Class after World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. The MVPBA conducted the Webb Trophy at Madison in 1930. The Webb Trophy was the MVPBA equivalent of the APBA
American Power Boat Association
The American Power Boat Association is a New York non-profit, membership owned corporation that was created in 1903 by an act of the New York legislature as a racing association for powerboats. It is the United States sanctioning authority for the Union Internationale Motonautique , the world...
Gold Cup--their top award.
The 725s raced at Madison throughout the 1930s until the disastrous Ohio River
Ohio River
The Ohio River is the largest tributary, by volume, of the Mississippi River. At the confluence, the Ohio is even bigger than the Mississippi and, thus, is hydrologically the main stream of the whole river system, including the Allegheny River further upstream...
flood of 1937 and World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
brought down the curtain for a while.
The current series of regattas in Madison began in 1949. This was a "wildcat" race, administered by the Ohio Valley Motor Boat Racing Association of Cincinnati. The largest class present was the 225 Cubic Inch Class.
The first Unlimited race took place in 1950. The Unlimited races at Madison in 1950-51-52-53 were one-heat multi-class free-for-all affairs. They didn't count for National High Points.
The first High Points Unlimited race at Madison occurred in 1954. This came about largely through the efforts of Madison Courier columnist Phil Cole. (A High Points Unlimited race must be scheduled for a minimum of two heats with at least four boats making a legal start.)
Madison has an uninterrupted string of High Points Unlimited races every year since 1954.
The Madison committee is the longest continuously active Unlimited
committee in the country. Madison Regatta, Inc. (formerly the Madison
Boat Club) has hosted the Unlimiteds every year since 1950. Seattle didn't start until 1951. Detroit has been on the circuit since 1946, but with four different committees.
A total of 54 major Unlimited races (excluding the free-for-all races) have been run at Madison since 1954.
List of Madison Regatta winners
| Year | Driver | Boat |
|---|---|---|
| 1951 | Marion Cooper | Hornet |
| 1952 | Burnett Bartley | Wildcatter |
| 1953 | Burnett Bartley | Wildcatter |
| 1954 | Bill Cantrell | Gale IV |
| 1955 | Danny Foster | Tempo VII |
| 1956 | Fred Alter | Miss US I |
| 1957 | Jack Regas | Hawaii Kai III |
| 1958 | Don Wilson | Miss US I |
| 1959 | Ron Musson | Hawaii Kai III |
| 1960 | Bill Muncey | Miss Thriftway |
| 1961 | Bill Muncey | Miss Century 21 |
| 1962 | Bill Muncey | Miss Century 21 |
| 1963 | Bill Brow | Miss Exide |
| 1964 | Chuck Thompson | Tahoe Miss |
| 1965 | Chuck Thompson | Tahoe Miss |
| 1966 | Mira Slovak | Tahoe Miss |
| 1967 | Billy Schumacher | Miss Bardahl |
| 1968 | Billy Schumacher | Miss Bardahl |
| 1969 | Dean Chenoweth | Myr's Special |
| 1970 | Dean Chenoweth | Miss Budweiser |
| 1971 | Jim McCormick | Miss Madison Miss Madison Miss Madison is an H1 Unlimited hydroplane. It is the only community-owned unlimited hydroplane in the world. It is based out of Madison, Indiana, a small town of 12,000 residents on the Ohio River which annually hosts the Madison Regatta... |
| 1972 | Bill Muncey Bill Muncey William Edward "Bill" Muncey was an American hydroplane racing legend from La Mesa, California. He won 62 races, the most races in the history of the sport... |
Atlas Van Lines Atlas Van Lines Atlas Van Lines is a moving company formed in 1948 by a group of local transfer and storage firms. As an agent-owned company it is similar in form to a cooperative. It has about 500 agents worldwide , of which 75 own shares in Atlas World Group, which controls Atlas Van Lines and other related... |
| 1973 | Mickey Remund | Pay 'n Pak Pay 'n Pak Pay 'n Pak is a defunct home improvement chain that was based out of Kent, Washington. Pay 'n Pak began in 1962 and was founded by Stan Thurman, an electric and plumbing supply retailer from Longview, Washington. In 1969 Pay 'n Pak merged with Eagle Electric & Plumbing, a company run by Thurman... |
| 1974 | George Henley | Pay 'n Pak |
| 1975 | George Henley | Pay n'Pak |
| 1976 | Bill Muncey Bill Muncey William Edward "Bill" Muncey was an American hydroplane racing legend from La Mesa, California. He won 62 races, the most races in the history of the sport... |
Atlas Van Lines Atlas Van Lines Atlas Van Lines is a moving company formed in 1948 by a group of local transfer and storage firms. As an agent-owned company it is similar in form to a cooperative. It has about 500 agents worldwide , of which 75 own shares in Atlas World Group, which controls Atlas Van Lines and other related... |
| 1977 | Eric Godfrey | Miss Budweiser Miss Budweiser The Miss Budweiser were 22 Hydroplanes sponsored by Budweiser beer. They were owned by Bernie Little and , his youngest son, Joe... |
| 1978 | Bill Muncey | Atlas Van Lines Atlas Van Lines Atlas Van Lines is a moving company formed in 1948 by a group of local transfer and storage firms. As an agent-owned company it is similar in form to a cooperative. It has about 500 agents worldwide , of which 75 own shares in Atlas World Group, which controls Atlas Van Lines and other related... |
| 1979 | Bill Muncey Bill Muncey William Edward "Bill" Muncey was an American hydroplane racing legend from La Mesa, California. He won 62 races, the most races in the history of the sport... |
Atlas Van Lines Atlas Van Lines Atlas Van Lines is a moving company formed in 1948 by a group of local transfer and storage firms. As an agent-owned company it is similar in form to a cooperative. It has about 500 agents worldwide , of which 75 own shares in Atlas World Group, which controls Atlas Van Lines and other related... |
| 1980 | Dean Chenoweth | Miss Budweiser Miss Budweiser The Miss Budweiser were 22 Hydroplanes sponsored by Budweiser beer. They were owned by Bernie Little and , his youngest son, Joe... |
| 1981 | Dean Chenoweth | Miss Budweiser |
| 1982 | Tom D'Eath | The Squire Shop |
| 1983 | Jim Kropfeld | Miss Budweiser |
| 1984 | Chip Hanauer Chip Hanauer Lee Edward "Chip" Hanauer is the third most successful Unlimited Hydroplane racer in history. He has won the APBA Gold Cup a record 12 times and was the driver of one of the most famous boats in APBA history, the Miss Budweiser, in the early to mid 1990's. He was inducted into the International... |
Atlas Van Lines Atlas Van Lines Atlas Van Lines is a moving company formed in 1948 by a group of local transfer and storage firms. As an agent-owned company it is similar in form to a cooperative. It has about 500 agents worldwide , of which 75 own shares in Atlas World Group, which controls Atlas Van Lines and other related... |
| 1985 | Steve Reynolds | Miss 7-Eleven |
| 1986 | Chip Hanauer Chip Hanauer Lee Edward "Chip" Hanauer is the third most successful Unlimited Hydroplane racer in history. He has won the APBA Gold Cup a record 12 times and was the driver of one of the most famous boats in APBA history, the Miss Budweiser, in the early to mid 1990's. He was inducted into the International... |
Miller American |
| 1987 | Jim Kropfield | Miss Budweiser Miss Budweiser The Miss Budweiser were 22 Hydroplanes sponsored by Budweiser beer. They were owned by Bernie Little and , his youngest son, Joe... |
| 1988 | Scott Pierce | Mr. Pringle's |
| 1989 | Jim Kropfield | Miss Budweiser |
| 1990 | Chip Hanauer | Miss Circus Circus |
| 1991 | Mark Evans | American Spirit |
| 1992 | Chip Hanauer Chip Hanauer Lee Edward "Chip" Hanauer is the third most successful Unlimited Hydroplane racer in history. He has won the APBA Gold Cup a record 12 times and was the driver of one of the most famous boats in APBA history, the Miss Budweiser, in the early to mid 1990's. He was inducted into the International... |
Miss Budweiser Miss Budweiser The Miss Budweiser were 22 Hydroplanes sponsored by Budweiser beer. They were owned by Bernie Little and , his youngest son, Joe... |
| 1993 | Chip Hanauer Chip Hanauer Lee Edward "Chip" Hanauer is the third most successful Unlimited Hydroplane racer in history. He has won the APBA Gold Cup a record 12 times and was the driver of one of the most famous boats in APBA history, the Miss Budweiser, in the early to mid 1990's. He was inducted into the International... |
Miss Budweiser Miss Budweiser The Miss Budweiser were 22 Hydroplanes sponsored by Budweiser beer. They were owned by Bernie Little and , his youngest son, Joe... |
| 1994 | Chip Hanauer Chip Hanauer Lee Edward "Chip" Hanauer is the third most successful Unlimited Hydroplane racer in history. He has won the APBA Gold Cup a record 12 times and was the driver of one of the most famous boats in APBA history, the Miss Budweiser, in the early to mid 1990's. He was inducted into the International... |
Miss Budweiser Miss Budweiser The Miss Budweiser were 22 Hydroplanes sponsored by Budweiser beer. They were owned by Bernie Little and , his youngest son, Joe... |
| 1995 | Mark Tate | Smokin' Joe's |
| 1996 | Mark Tate | Smokin' Joe's |
| 1997 | Dave Villwock | Miss Budweiser |
| 1998 | Dave Villwock | Miss Budweiser Miss Budweiser The Miss Budweiser were 22 Hydroplanes sponsored by Budweiser beer. They were owned by Bernie Little and , his youngest son, Joe... |
| 1999 | Chip Hanauer | Miss Pico |
| 2000 | Dave Villwock | Miss Budweiser |
| 2001 | Steve David | Oh Boy! Oberto |
| 2002 | Nate Brown | Miss Elam Plus |
| 2003 | Dave Villwock | Miss Budweiser |
| 2004 | Dave Villwock | Miss Budweiser Miss Budweiser The Miss Budweiser were 22 Hydroplanes sponsored by Budweiser beer. They were owned by Bernie Little and , his youngest son, Joe... |
| 2005 | J.W. Myers | Miss Elam Plus |
| 2006 | Dave Villwock | Miss Elam Plus |
| 2007 | Dave Villwock | Miss Elam Plus |
| 2008 | Jeff Bernard | Formulaboats.com |
| 2009 | Dave Villwock | Miss Elam Plus |
| 2010 | Steve David | Oh Boy! Oberto/Miss Madison Miss Madison Miss Madison is an H1 Unlimited hydroplane. It is the only community-owned unlimited hydroplane in the world. It is based out of Madison, Indiana, a small town of 12,000 residents on the Ohio River which annually hosts the Madison Regatta... |
| 2011 | Steve David | Oh Boy! Oberto/Miss Madison |