Full Throttle

As NASCAR fans we are well aware of Jack Roush’s efforts as owner of five Sprint Cup teams and “sheep-herder” of two others.

Those in attendance at MIS or watched on the idiot box are also aware of his passion for his beloved WW2 vintage P-51 Mustang warplane as he demonstrated his piloting prowess during a flyover as part of the opening ceremonies at MIS.

But did you know the engine in that P-51 has led Roush is a direction most unexpected. Pictured at left is that direction. The image is a liquid cooled 27 liter 60° V12 piston aircraft engine built during World War II by Rolls-Royce and used in the P-52 Mustang and also the WW2 vintage British Spitfire.

The Roush connection is obvious, but just as obvious the engine isn’t mounted in an airplane.

It sits in the restored engine bay of the 50’s era Unlimited Hydroplane Miss U.S. 1. The restoration was performed by former Gold Cup champion Danny Foster former Gold Cup champion Tom D’Eath and Jack Roush’s Roush Aviation one of Jack in the Hat’s many sources of income. (here is a gallery of the boat in all it’s restored glory)

The Detroit based Miss U.S.1 returns to the Detroit River this week for the 100th running of the APBA Gold Cup one of the most prestigious motorsports events in the country.

All you “it-has-to-have-wheels” racing fans will poo-poo that thought but think about it, only the Indy 500 has a tradition dating back100 years, the Gold Cup is truly power boating’s Holy Grail not unlike the Daytona 500 and Indy

In addition, the Miss U.S. 1 is one of the most significant boats in powerboat racing history. Driven by Roy Duby the boat became the first unlimited hydroplane to break the 200 miles per hour barrier, setting a world record at 200.419 mph on a pair of runs through a measured one-mile course on Lake Guntersville, Alabama on April 17, 1962. The record stood for over 38 years, and still stands today as the unlimited record for a piston powered boat.

For full disclosure, more than the Roush connection drew me to this story. From my earliest days, you know when Methuselah was a pup, I attended the Gold Cup in Detroit or the Spirit of Detroit event when the Gold Cup ran in Seattle or Madison (dependent on what city was highest bidder) every year from the mid-fifties until leaving for the Navy in ‘81.

So yes, I have a long history with the sport. A history that dictates I offer thanks to Jack Roush for playing a part in bringing back one of the classic boats of the fifties.

Technorati Tags: Gold Cup, APBA, Miss U.S. 1, Jack Roush, Jack Roush Aviation