Villwock Wins The Gold Cup Race On The Detroit River

DETROIT (WWJ) - Dave Villwock is the winner of this year's Gold Cup Race on the Detroit River.

The win gives Villwock a record 63 Unlimited Hydroplane victories, making him the winningest driver with the victory Sunday, which is one more than the late Bill Muncey.

Villwock topped the field by more than one-half lap during the five laps around the 2 ½-mile course. It was his ninth Gold Cup win, including fourth straight.

Villwock has won 50 percent of his races (63-of-126).

His first Gold Cup was in 1996 on the Detroit River and he's won nine of the 16 Gold Cups since then. He's second to Chip Hanauer (11) in Gold Cup wins.

Villwock says he'll take some time to reflect on his status atop  the sport—at least record wise, as he heads to the Pacific Northwest in his luxury RV. He was asked what Muncey would think about the sport today, and said, "He would really appreciate the sport and where it's come and how competitive it is."

Muncey, who died in 1981, had 62 career race victories.

Top 5 Final Results for the Air National Guard Hydroplane Series in Detroit:

Position, driver, boat, speed:

1. Dave Villwock, Spirit of Qatar, 138.807 mph

2. Scott Liddycoat, Valken Sports, 131.360 mph

3. Jeff Bernard, Graham Trucking, 129.239 mph

4. J Michael Kelly, Degree Men, NA

5. Cal Phipps, Miss Red Dot, NA

Preliminary Heat Results for Sunday at Air National Guard Series in Detroit:

Heat 3A: 1. Cal Phipps, 143.264 mph, 2. J. Michael Kelly, 3. Scott Liddycoat.

Heat 3B: 1. Dave Villwock, 144.041 mph, 2. Jeff Bernard, 3. Greg Hopp.

Heat 4A: 1. Scott Liddycoat, 140.342 mph, 2. J. Michael Kelly, 3. Cal Phipps.

Heat 4B: 1. Dave Villwock, 138.937 mph, 2. Jeff Bernard, 3. Greg Hopp.