Hydroplane Racing in Detroit

Since the start of the 20th century, Detroit has been the hub of the motorized world. It was only natural that the powerful motors built in Detroit’s huge factories eventually found their way into high-speed boats and that organized racing soon followed. Starting in 1916, Detroit became the center of powerboat racing. Names like Gar Wood, Chris Smith, and Horace Dodge dominated the sports pages of the 1920s and 1930s. Following World War II, racing in Detroit entered its golden era. Led by local businessmen like Jack Schafer, Joe Schoenith, and George Simon, hydroplane racing captured the heart of the community in a way that has never been equaled.