Wyandotte Offshore Races

[Stevie-Ray]

Does anybody remember the races that were in Wyandotte, MI in the 80s? I want to say 1981 and 82, but I'm not 100% sure. The first was called the Michelob Light Classic and the second was, IINM, the Stroh Light Invitational. Of the Superboats, Popeyes took the win, though it was on 3 engines and the one that was out controlled his power steering, so Copeland had a hell of a time in the turns. Sal Magluta with Seahawk took second. I also remember a boat called Maxon taking the win for it's class. Most of this info was from the paper that printed the results and from memory. Problem is, I can't seem to find any information about either race, though I believe the above comments reflect the Stroh Light Invitational. I took my Dad to the race; he was a long time fan of boat racing of any kind, I was sans camera, and he took the grainy photos below with a Nikon EM with no telephoto, of course. The first is Magluta in the (38ft Cougar?-paper identified it as 40ft) Seahawk, the second is Copeland in the 50 ft Cougar, Popeyes. The rest of the pics I have are too small to be identified, actually Popeyes is the only boat big enough to readily identify at the distance involved with standard lens. Any info you gents might have would be much appreciated.

 

[OneBadInjun]

Does anybody remember the races that were in Wyandotte, MI in the 80s? I want to say 1981 and 82, but I'm not 100% sure. The first was called the Michelob Light Classic and the second was, IINM, the Stroh Light Invitational. Of the Superboats, Popeyes took the win, though it was on 3 engines and the one that was out controlled his power steering, so Copeland had a hell of a time in the turns. Sal Magluta with Seahawk took second. I also remember a boat called Maxon taking the win for it's class. Most of this info was from the paper that printed the results and from memory. Problem is, I can't seem to find any information about either race, though I believe the above comments reflect the Stroh Light Invitational. I took my Dad to the race; he was a long time fan of boat racing of any kind, I was sans camera, and he took the grainy photos below with a Nikon EM with no telephoto, of course. The first is Magluta in the (38ft Cougar?-paper identified it as 40ft) Seahawk, the second is Copeland in the 50 ft Cougar, Popeyes. The rest of the pics I have are too small to be identified, actually Popeyes is the only boat big enough to readily identify at the distance involved with standard lens. Any info you gents might have would be much appreciated.

At PortSide Inn? The pits were so muddy, the city came in and threw tons of straw over the mud, which only made it worse. The place was a mess. But what fun we all had, with all the competition there. Those were great times.

 

[Ratickle]

There has too be some stories and pics out there on the races there......


Anybody????

 

[OneBadInjun]

The Kilo runs were a great part of that event. Triple Merc outboard Maelstrom cat versus Butch Ryan's Express cat with twin/turbo destroked bigblocks. They went back and forth trying to better each others times. All the big dollar guys were there, in those days. Very competitive ego's, and boats. It was a blast. :driving:

 

[Ratickle]

The Kilos were APBA sanctioned I assume back then. I'll see what I can dig up through them.

 

[Ratickle]

Well, does this sound accurate?

Winners of the four classes of powerboat races in the Stroh Light Challenge in Detroit June 22, 1982

Offshore I: Al Copeland in Popeye, average speed 87.665 miles per hour.
Offshore II: Willy Diaz in El Boss, 83.147 m.p.h.
Offshore III: John Scopetta in Four Runner, 71.757 m.p.h.
Offshore IV: Pete Aitkin in Black Buck, 76.152 m.p.h.

 

[Ratickle]

Couple links from our friends....


http://www.powerboatarchive.co.uk/Magazines/1980s/1980 DETROIT.pdf


http://www.powerboatarchive.co.uk/Magazines/1980s/1982 Offshore pics (U.S.).pdf

 

[Ratickle]

1982 Program Cover.......

 

[Ratickle]

When you start digging into this old race history, it's surprising how many races there were in the Detroit area over a three year period of 1980, 1981, 1982. Like the above Downriver Challenge Cup in August of 82.

 

[Ratickle]

Digging and searching found that T2x's son Darren, at Big Seas Productions, may have the videos of exactly what you are looking for. These are one's on their list of video's at their site in the link below.

1980 Detroit Detroit, MI

1981 Stroh’s Detroit, MI

1982 Stroh’s Detroit, MI

1983 Spirit of Detroit Detroit, Ml

http://big-seas.com/footage.htm

 

[Stevie-Ray]

Very cool, Paul! I'll be perusing this new info with renewed interest. Thanx!

 

[Stevie-Ray]

1982 Program Cover.......


View attachment 76551

Yeah, that's definitely from Wyandotte, as it was in August. The pics that I posted were from that race.

 

[OneBadInjun]

Stevie-Ray, where did/do you live downriver? That particular race was a very good "spectator" race for the locals.

 

[Stevie-Ray]

We lived in Lincoln Park at the time. Bishop Park in Wyandotte, was a great place to go for no reason at all-it was a MUST for a superb event like this. I remember the vendors making a small fortune, man, EVERYBODY was happy. I'll bet I still have the t-shirt from this event, though I'm quite sure it doesn't fit anymore.:cuss:

 

[Ratickle]

Too big?

 

[Stevie-Ray]

Too big?

Yeah, too big for the shirt.

 

[Ratickle]

Have you been able to dig up any more info?