On August 26, 2017 at the Metro Detroit Chevy Dealers Hydrofest in Detroit, Andrew Tate, 28, from Wayne, Michigan, created history as the youngest driver, piloting the oldest hull to victory in the resurrected pursuit of the President’s Cup race. Tate’s Delta RealTrac-sponsored Unlimited hydroplane timed a perfect start on the Detroit River and led wire-to-wire for the win over second place finisher J. Michael Kelly in his Graham Trucking-sponsored craft.
The President’s Cup race took place during the same weekend as the 101st APBA Gold Cup race on August 27, 2017. Jimmy Shane, 31, from Renton, Washington, is making a habit of winning Gold Cups. In his young career, Jimmy achieved his third cup driving his HomeStreet Bank-sponsored unlimited hydroplane. Shane led from start to finish to claim victory on the Detroit River over second place finisher Andrew Tate.
—Paul Kemiel