Hydro planes races were the 1st major league sport in Seattle and the state. Many thanks to Stan Sayres who's Slo mo shun IV broungth the Gold Cup to Seattle. John Logan
I got to ride in "Miss Wahoo" (replica) a few weeks ago. It is a little newer boat than what is shown but of '50's design with an Allison. All I can tell you is it's VERY loud and the wind is blowing in your face at well over 100mph and the boat rides fairly smooth on light chop until you get in the corner where it pins you to the side harder than the best cornering sports car I've ever driven and I've driven a 2008 Corvette and it was better then that! I have a Trans Am with 500hp/562ftlbs and the power to weight ratio of Miss Wahoo is much better than my Trans Am. It was one spectacular ride and we didn't even go as fast as the boat could go. We went about 115mph on the straight (she can do 150mph) and about 105mph (she can go more than that) in the corners and I want one! :D Very cool footage, thanks for posting! :)
Thanks a bazillion for uploading this clip! This was back in the days when hydroplane racing was a real endurance test- for the drivers as well as the boats. Ten(!) laps around the course for each heat...WOW! I sure do miss the roar of the piston boats- REAL engines with REAL drivers braving the REAL elements of racing on the water at breakneck speed. Thanks again!
Lou fageol? who won the first race owned Bill Cantrell's Indy 500 car, Bill finished second to Lou in the heat in the video. I almost met Bill, he had a driveline shop in Madison Ind, I got to know his partner but never met Bill, just heard stories about him. He raced unlimiteded, raced the Indy 500, raced stockcars on Riverside I saw, and was a pro wresler and game warden, jeez Bill got around and lived to a ripe old age. poor guy missed out on meeting me.
Grew up in Seattle in the 50's and 60's what a great time and a great place to be a kid...unlike today
Hydro planes races were the 1st major league sport in Seattle and the state. Many thanks
to Stan Sayres who's Slo mo shun IV broungth the Gold Cup to Seattle. John Logan
I got to ride in "Miss Wahoo" (replica) a few weeks ago. It is a little newer boat than what is shown but of '50's design with an Allison. All I can tell you is it's VERY loud and the wind is blowing in your face at well over 100mph and the boat rides fairly smooth on light chop until you get in the corner where it pins you to the side harder than the best cornering sports car I've ever driven and I've driven a 2008 Corvette and it was better then that! I have a Trans Am with 500hp/562ftlbs and the power to weight ratio of Miss Wahoo is much better than my Trans Am. It was one spectacular ride and we didn't even go as fast as the boat could go. We went about 115mph on the straight (she can do 150mph) and about 105mph (she can go more than that) in the corners and I want one! :D Very cool footage, thanks for posting! :)
Thanks a bazillion for uploading this clip!
This was back in the days when hydroplane racing was a real endurance test- for the drivers as well as the boats. Ten(!) laps around the course for each heat...WOW!
I sure do miss the roar of the piston boats- REAL engines with REAL drivers braving the REAL elements of racing on the water at breakneck speed.
Thanks again!
Love the sound of the piston engines
Interesting to see where the sport was back then and how far it has come to today.
Great video!! Thanks for sharing!
Great to see really old boats.. this was the year before I was born
Lou fageol? who won the first race owned Bill Cantrell's Indy 500 car, Bill finished second to Lou in the heat in the video. I almost met Bill, he had a driveline shop in Madison Ind, I got to know his partner but never met Bill, just heard stories about him. He raced unlimiteded, raced the Indy 500, raced stockcars on Riverside I saw, and was a pro wresler and game warden, jeez Bill got around and lived to a ripe old age. poor guy missed out on meeting me.
150mph, amazing machines
The opening music! LOL
No mention of the fact that Quicksilver took a dive to the bottom of the lake killing both driver and riding mechanic.
When the stopped the drinking, the Seafair celebrations were doomed.
I was born in 1951 and I remember the Seafair pirates in Seattle grabbing women.
the 3 mile course with 1 mile straights is the way to go.....this short track crap they have now is not really UNLIMITED. class....