Californian Speed Beat Wins World Championship

Grey River Argus, 3 August 1949, Page 3

Californian Speed Beat Wins World Championship

NEW YORK, August 1. The “Sklp-a-long” a 30-foot Californian speed boat, has won the l historic British Harmsworth Trophy Owned and driven by Mr R. Stanley Dollar, the Sk'p-a-long today won a 16 mile run-off race at Detroit against the “Such Crust.” The Such Crust spluttered and stopped in the second lap when its oil line snapped. To-day’s run-off was to determine which of the winners of two heats on Saturday should hold ihe trophy. The Such Crust, owned and driven by Mr Jack Shaper, won the first heat, on Saturday, hitting a lap speed of 98.164 m.p.h. Skipalong clocked 94.285 m.p.h. over the course, and clinched the trophy for the United fates. Don set his record of 93.07 miles an hour in “Miss England” in 1931. The Skipalong’s most dangerous challengers to-day were “Miss Canada” and Such' Crust. They both Lad engine trouble. Such Crust led the field until the fifth lap, only to break down half a mile from the flnish’ng line and wattch the Skipalong roar home. The Skpalong’s victory to-day means that, if a foreign challenge is made in 1950, the contest will then have to be held on Sidpalong’s home course. Lake Tahoe, in California.