Photo by Chris Denslow – H1

Following a frustrating weekend in Madison, Indiana, where high water in the Ohio River covered the pit area and forced cancellation of the Lucas Oil Madison Regatta, H1 Unlimited drivers and crews look forward to better conditions on the always challenging Detroit River – scene of next weekend’s Detroit Yacht Club APBA Gold Cup.

Fans of the community owned 1 Oh Boy! Oberto see the 2013 Gold Cup as an opportunity for their popular driver, Steve David, to capture the one title that has eluded him through one of the most successful driving careers in the history of the sport.

David’s 14 victories as the Oberto pilot have moved him near the top of the list of all time victories, but none have come in the Gold Cup.

The absence of longtime rival Dave Villwock, who is no longer with the 96 Spirit of Qatar team, would appear to make David the Gold Cup favorite.  But the Florida realtor knows that strong challenges will come from the fast 10 boat Gold Cup field.

David appears to have a new nemesis in young Jimmy Shane, driver of the 5 Graham Trucking.  After a victory in the 2013 season opener in Doha, Qatar and a strong second place finish to David in Sacramento, Shane leads David by 23 points in the 2013 season high point standings.

Team Oberto’s game plan was to do well on their home course in Madison and head to Detroit with the lead in the high point standings, but the home course did not cooperate.  With the point chase a virtual tie, the driver with the best weekend in Detroit should have the lead as the fleet moves on to the West Coast swing following the Gold Cup.

Jimmy Shane is not the only challenger David will have stay ahead of to win the most prestigious trophy in boat racing.  Jon Zimmerman is in third place in points driving the 9 Team Red Dot and has driven the rapidly improving boat to podium finishes in recent races.

David commented, “More than anything, its all about having the right combination for the Detroit River race course.  We have been developing a setup which our crew chief, Mike Hanson, feels will give us a good chance to win the Gold Cup for our fans in Indiana.”

4^th place Kip Brown in the 95 Spirit of Qatar and 5^th place J. Michael Kelly in the 37 Miss Beacon Plumbing have shown they can be front runners as well.

David added, “Jimmy Shane obviously presents a  real challenge and so do several other teams and drivers.  Jon Zimmerman and Kip Brown are very good and it should be noted that Dave Villwock will be there. Dave is working with J. Michael Kelly and the Beacon Plumbing team with the setup on that boat.  JMK is a great driver and if the boat gets any faster he will be a force to be dealt with.”

The 2013 Gold Cup had been reduced to a two day event due to budget constraints but went back to three days including “Free Friday” when Michigan native Kid Rock added sponsorship from his Made In Detroit and American Badass Beer companies.

The cold pits open at 9 a.m. on Friday, July 12, while time trials, testing and qualifying begin at noon.  Racing begins with Heat 1A at 1:10 Saturday and the 2013 Gold Cup Champion will be crowned following the winner-take-all Championship Final Heat scheduled for 4pm Sunday.