Hanauer Leads Gold Cup Qualifying

DETROIT —  The unlimited hydroplane fleet opens its season today on the Detroit River with its most prestigious event, the American Power Boat Assn. Gold Cup.

Chip Hanauer, nine-time Gold Cup champion, was top qualifier in Friday’s time trials, driving Miss Budweiser on a lap around the egg-shaped 2.5-mile course at 162.614 m.p.h. The speed was well below last year’s record 170.087 by Mark Tate in the Winston Eagle, mainly because of a new fuel restricter valve that limits the flow of fuel to the turbine engines.

Two three-lap heats today and two five-lap heats Sunday will set the field for the six-boat Gold Cup championship race later Sunday. Ten boats are expected to compete.