1958 International Cup Regatta & 25th Annual Regatta of the
Pasquotank River Yacht Club
Elizabeth City, North Carolina


Miss US

1958 International Cup Regatta & 25th Annual Regatta of the
Pasquotank River Yacht Club
Elizabeth City, North Carolina October 5, 1958
 
 

The 280 Cubic Inch Hydroplane National Championships

This year, the Pastquotank River Yacht Club is pleased to present the 280 cu. in. hydroplane Championships as a feature of the 25th annual regatta to be held by the club on the waters of the Pasquotank River in Elizabeth City, NC. This event, sanctioned by the American Power Boat Association, is the first power boat National Championship to be held in North Carolina.

In years past, numerous world records have been established by power boat enthusiasts in Elizabeth City. Thirteen National and Siz International moth class sailing championships have been held on the Pasquotank River.

The National Championship for the 280 cu. in. hydroplanes was held last year in Cambridge, MD and won by Al Gosa of Philadelphia in the Al-E-Cat. Eighteen boats competed in this class at Cambridge and it is anticipated that a larger number will be present in Elizabeth City. Unforunately, Gosa will not be present to defend his championship, since he is no longer competing in this class.

The mile straightaway record for the 280 cu. in. is 104.219 mph. This record was established by Alton Pierson of Queenstown, MD in the Bo-Bo-Too at the Eastern States Regatta, Norristown, PA on July 26-27, 1958. Pierson also holds the record of 78.057 mph for 5 miles in competition.

A stock class, the majority of the 280 hydros are powered by Chevrolet engines, although any stock automobile listed in the National Automobile Dealer's Red Book of not more than 280 cu. in. piston displacement may be used. No engines built outside of the USA are eligible. The only modifications allowed are those necessary for marine conversion. The minimum hull length is 16 feet and almost all the boats are similar in design to the 266 cu. in. hydroplanes. Fuel is restricted to gasoline of the type sold as regular or premium fuel for automotive or marine use.

Favorites to win the event include Pierson in the Bo-Bo-Too. Tom Carter, Drexel Hill, PA in the Tom Cat and Clyde Tiller, Jr., Woodbury, NJ in the Thunder Pumper, winner of the 280 cu. in. class at the ICR in 1957. A dark horse, not to be counted out will be W.E. (shorty) Hoggard, Jr. of Portsmouth, VA in Shorty's Lauterbach Special.

 
 


Bo-Bo-Too
Alton Pierson


I included the advertisement of Gordon Sheet Metal because Charlie Gordon has helped boat racing in Elizabeth City for over 50 years. He provides the cranes for our race free of charge. Thank him if you get the chance. He has been a huge help for our races. He also saved the International Cup and donated it to the Museum that is adjacent to the pits.
 
 


Miss Bell VI
Wes Lusby


Peaches
Ronnie Hearn


Shorty's Lauterbach Special
W.E. (Shorty) Hoggard, Jr.
 


Sweetie Sue
Bill Niemeyer
 


Thunder Pumper


Tomcat
Tom Carter


 
There were six world records set that day
Alton Pierson won the 280 Nationals - with Danny Foster, second - and Clyde Tiller, third.
Records runs were:
  • Danny Foster in the 280 5 mile Competition at 78.465 beating Alton's old record
  • Alton Pierson regaining the record in the next heat at 80.573
  • Bill Engle in the Rebel Rouser E-Service Mile run at 65.105 breaking Harry Bickford's record
  • Harry regaining his record only a few minutes later at 69.279 in the Skip-E
  • Rodney Brogden in Kitty-B upping the 225 Mile record to 111.801
  • Harry Bickford 5-mile E-Service record of 60.976
  • Jim Venner in the Mile run for F-Service at 65.099 in the Just-E-Nuff (old Too Much)
  • J. N. Johnson of Charlotte in D Stock hydro at 75.710 breaking his old record of 72.59
Eight record breaking performances and six offical records after the spray settled. 
(Bob Jones supplied these facts) 

 

Thanks to Tommy Peters for supplying & scanning this Race Program.