Hurl all the abuse you want.

Tell me it “ain’t like it used to be” when Bill Muncey ruled the river in the ’60s and ’70s, and the crowds choked Jefferson Avenue and the river banks.

I’ll say it is even better now — the competition and rivalry, that is.

The modern APBA Gold Cup is harder fought than at any time.

All 10 or so boats that will contest the oldest active trophy in motor sports July 11-13 will have a shot at winning.

The racing is closer, faster and more spectacular.

Look, the Indy 500 is thrilling, the NASCAR races at Michigan International Speedway loud and colorful and the Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix hard fought.

The Gold Cup is all those things and more.

It is entwined in Detroit’s history. The first race on the river was conducted in 1916 and won by Bernard Smith in “Miss Minneapolis.”

Since, we have seen the best and bravest drivers win the Gold Cup here — Gar Wood, George Reis, Danny Foster, Muncey, Dean Chenoweth, Tom D’Eath, Chip Hanauer, Mark Tate, Terry Troxell and Dave Villwock.

In the ’70s, hundreds of thousands lined both sides of Detroit River to watch the Gold Cup.

The crowds have fallen off, but the racing has gotten better and the field deeper.

Villwock and perennial Gold Cup runner-up Steve David have retired, but H1 Unlimited drivers such as Jimmy Shane, J. Michael Kelly, Mike Webster, Jeff Bernard, Jimmy King, Cal Phipps and 2013 Gold Cup winner Kip Brown have stepped up.

The 2014 Gold Cup should be hotly contested.

The big Thunder Boats will fly past the Detroit Yacht Club at more than 200 m.p.h. and set up for the Roostertail Turn.

The pits will be open to fans, the drivers there to sign autographs and chat, and, I mean, they’ll talk to you.

There will be live entertainment from local bands in the nearby park as well and plenty of food and beverages to sample.

And, yes, vintage race boats and a car show to boot.

You want to have fun and watch great racing? Then do yourself a favor if you haven’t attended a Gold Cup race weekend in a long while, or never.