Miss Supertest III
Encyclopedia
Miss Supertest III was a Canadian-designed and built hydroplane that won the 1959 Detroit Memorial Regatta and the 1959, 1960 and 1961 Harmsworth Cup
races -- the only four races it ever entered. It was the only three-time Harmsworth Cup winner and the first non-U.S. winner in 39 years.
Racing out of Sarnia, Ontario
, Miss Supertest III was owned by J. Gordon Thompson, owner of Supertest Petroleum (later acquired by BP
). The team was managed by his son, Jim Thompson
, and the boat piloted by Bob Hayward
. Miss Supertest III was inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame
.
Its predecessor, Miss Supertest II was briefly the fastest propeller-driven motorboat
in the world, setting a water speed record of 296.96 km/h (184.494 mph) on November 1, 1957, at Picton, Ontario
with Art Asbury at the wheel. It broke a record that had stood for five years, but a new record was set only a few weeks later.
The first Miss Supertest was originally known as Miss Canada IV and competed in hydroplane races from 1949 to the mid-1950s.
The Miss Supertest boats were retired following the death of Bob Hayward. He was killed while racing Miss Supertest II about a month after winning the 1961 Harmsworth Cup with Miss Supertest III.
Canada Post
issued a commemorative stamp in 2011 honouring a hydroplane racingboat Miss Supertest III, her driver Bob Hayward
and businessman Jim Thompson
, who designed and built her.
Harmsworth Cup
The Harmsworth Trophy is the popular name of the historically important British International Trophy for Motorboats.The Harmsworth was the first annual international award for motorboat racing. Officially, it is a contest not between boats or individuals but between nations...
races -- the only four races it ever entered. It was the only three-time Harmsworth Cup winner and the first non-U.S. winner in 39 years.
Racing out of Sarnia, Ontario
Sarnia, Ontario
Sarnia is a city in Southern Ontario, Canada . It is the largest city on Lake Huron and is located where the upper Great Lakes empty into the St. Clair River....
, Miss Supertest III was owned by J. Gordon Thompson, owner of Supertest Petroleum (later acquired by BP
BP
BP p.l.c. is a global oil and gas company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the third-largest energy company and fourth-largest company in the world measured by revenues and one of the six oil and gas "supermajors"...
). The team was managed by his son, Jim Thompson
Jim Thompson (powerboat racing)
James "Jim" G. Thompson is a Canadian businessman, philanthropist, and sportsman. He is best-known for designing and building the Miss Supertest hydroplanes....
, and the boat piloted by Bob Hayward
Bob Hayward
Robert D. Hayward was a Canadian powerboat racer who was a three-time winner of the Harmsworth Cup as the pilot of Miss Supertest III....
. Miss Supertest III was inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame
Canada's Sports Hall of Fame
Canada's Sports Hall of Fame is a hall of fame established in 1955 to "preserve the record of Canadian sports achievements and to promote a greater awareness of Canada's heritage of sport." It is located at Canada Olympic Park in Calgary, Alberta...
.
Its predecessor, Miss Supertest II was briefly the fastest propeller-driven motorboat
Motorboat
A motorboat is a boat which is powered by an engine. Some motorboats are fitted with inboard engines, others have an outboard motor installed on the rear, containing the internal combustion engine, the gearbox and the propeller in one portable unit.An inboard/outboard contains a hybrid of a...
in the world, setting a water speed record of 296.96 km/h (184.494 mph) on November 1, 1957, at Picton, Ontario
Picton, Ontario
Picton is an unincorporated community located in Prince Edward County in southern Central Ontario, Canada. It is the county seat and largest community. Picton is located at the south-western end of Picton Bay, a branch of the Bay of Quinte, which is along the northern shoreline of Lake Ontario...
with Art Asbury at the wheel. It broke a record that had stood for five years, but a new record was set only a few weeks later.
The first Miss Supertest was originally known as Miss Canada IV and competed in hydroplane races from 1949 to the mid-1950s.
The Miss Supertest boats were retired following the death of Bob Hayward. He was killed while racing Miss Supertest II about a month after winning the 1961 Harmsworth Cup with Miss Supertest III.
Canada Post
Canada Post
Canada Post Corporation, known more simply as Canada Post , is the Canadian crown corporation which functions as the country's primary postal operator...
issued a commemorative stamp in 2011 honouring a hydroplane racingboat Miss Supertest III, her driver Bob Hayward
Bob Hayward
Robert D. Hayward was a Canadian powerboat racer who was a three-time winner of the Harmsworth Cup as the pilot of Miss Supertest III....
and businessman Jim Thompson
Jim Thompson (powerboat racing)
James "Jim" G. Thompson is a Canadian businessman, philanthropist, and sportsman. He is best-known for designing and building the Miss Supertest hydroplanes....
, who designed and built her.