The Miss DYC Committee is proud to announce that the DYC Board of Directors has appointed the U13; Spirit of Detroit as the 2008 Miss Detroit Yacht Club in this, the 100th running of the APBA Gold Cup.
The Spirit of Detroit is owned by Dave Bartush of Bloomfield Hills.
We will be welcoming back, J. Michael Kelly (of Puyallup, WA) as driver. J. Michael was driver of the U2; Miss DYC in 2005 and has remained a friend and familiar face at DYC ever since.
The U13 won the Gold Cup in 2005 in its first race under Bartush’s ownership when it was sponsored by Al Deeby Dodge driven by Terry Troxell. J. Michael Kelly drove it to 3rd place in the 2007 Gold Cup as well as 3rd place finishes in Madison and Seattle while earning 5th place in National Points for the season.
Although it looks different now, the U13 hull was presented as Miss DYC for several years when it was owned by Kim and Debbie Gregory and driven by both Mark and Mike Weber (Detroit area natives) as the U10. Here are some other facts as quoted from the www.DetroitUnlimited.com web site:
- Has recorded 23 unlimited wins.
- Currently ranks as the second highest winning hull of all time. One short of being tied for #1.
- Was the first unlimited hydroplane to officially exceed 170 MHP lap average on a 2.5 mile course. This record was set on June 3, 1993 while qualifying on the Detroit River. It is a Detroit lap record that still stands.
- Won the APBA Gold Cup 4 times:
1988 Circus Circus
1991 Winston Eagle
1994 Smokin’ Joe’s
2005 Al Deeby Dodge - The only boat to ever win the coveted Gold Cup in 3 different decades.
And adding to his racing fleet, Dave Bartush has recently purchased the former U2 boat which J. Michael Kelly drove as Miss DYC in 2005. The crew is making modifications now with hopes of having both boats in Detroit.
Here are some highlights of J. Michael Kelly’s career:
- Although only 28 years old, J. Michael is entering his 21st year of boat racing
- He will be entering his 5th year in the Unlimited’s
- J. Michael has competed in a multitude of classes ranging from outboards to the unlimited’s
- At one time or another, J. Michael has held 19 World Records (6 still current)
- 4 National Championships
- 9 highpoint Championships
- 21 APBA Divisional Titles
- 2003, 2004 and 2006 Hall of Champions Inductee
- 2003 and 2004 APBA Babcock winner for Most Outstanding Driver
- 2004 Unlimited Rookie of the Year
- Set 2.5 Modified Hydro record of over 105 mph average on 1 2/3 mile course
- Made all Final heats last year with the U13. He finished 5th in Evansville, 3rd in Madison, 3rd in Detroit, 4th in Tri Cities, 3rd in Seattle and 5th In San Diego.
Our new partnership with the Spirit of Detroit team will result in the DYC burgee being displayed in other race classes in competitions around the country. Look for us in the 5 liter class in a boat that looks just like the U13! In addition, we are part of the support to help re-establish a true, Detroit-based and operated Unlimited race team!!! Look for exciting news to come!
MEET J. MICHAEL KELLY AND DAVE BARTUSH IN PERSON AT THE MARCH 8 “BACK TO THE ISLAND PARTY” AND JOIN THE 2008 MISS DYC RACE TEAM. SPECIAL PROMOTIONAL ITEMS WILL BE GIVEN FOR THOSE WHO SIGN UP AT THE PARTY. YOUR PAST AND CONTINUED SUPPORT IS TRULY APPRECIATED!!!
Sincerely,
Mary Rachwal, Patty Schmitz, Fred Carr and Scott Allen… Miss DYC Race Coordinators.