OLYMPIAD GP-100

The OLYMPIAD GP-100 is a GP (Grand Prix) wooden cabover - or forward cockpit - hydroplane built in the fall of 1975 by Jon Staudacher in Kawkawlin, Michigan, owned and driven by Jack Shaw from Northbay, Ontario. Jack Shaw owned the 100 and the later the Staudacher built OLYMPIAD GP-400. The GP-100 front cowling had 3 vertical air vent holes on each side, the GP-400 only had 2 vertical vent holes. Paint scheme, red topside with a natural bottom/sides and white graphics were similar. The 100 had the maple leaf and the five olympic rings inside gold & white vertical ovals where the 400 only had the maple leaf on the front cowling nose in white.

Its substructure, stringers, frames, battens, chines, transom and sponsons were made of Sitka Spruce and covered with marine plywood using steel screw fasteners and bonded together using epoxy adhesives. Restoration considerations involved the boat's age, original design and manufacturing techniques, racing experience which included several owners, flip-overs, accident repairs, fire damage and general wear and tear. Further, comments from former drivers; Bill Ireland "she had a habit of hooking in the corners if you drove her too hard" were interesting and thought provoking.



GP-100 Olympiad's red paint scheme and white graphics included the maple leaf Canadian flag emblem and the five Olympic rings inside gold and white vertical ovals which were fashioned after the 1976 Olympic games which were held in Montreal, Quebec.

Inboard National Champion 1977
Marty Niles
Castaic Lake, Southern California
(Marty Niles perished in an airplane accident taking flying lessons in the Florida Keys)

Racing History:

- Olympiad GP-100 owned and driven by Jack Shaw & Marty Niles 1975 - 1980

- Olympiad J-110 owned and driven by Jack Shaw & Marty Niles

- Midnight Special GP-12 owned and driven by Bill Ireland 1981

-  Bad Boy's Racing J-14

 

Owner/Restorer/Pilot
Harry E. Holst
57 Sauble Falls Road
Sauble Beach, Ontario
hholst@golden.net
519-422-1759

- Looking for additional History and Photography -

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August 4, 1973