"The Building of Miss Thriftway!"
SUMMER 2004

July 4, 2004
The Thriftway crew has been, to say the least, distracted from our project by working at the Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum readying the 1951 So-Mo-Shun V to go back to Detroit for the 100th anniversary of the Gold Cup, and the Hawaii Kai for the Tri-Cities race. Larry Fuller, Steve Payne, Steve Compton, Stuart Jones and Alan McDonough will all be going back to Detroit to crew on the "Five" because we installed the motor from the 1967 Miss Budweiser in order to get her to run. As Larry is the crew chief for the '67 Bud, he will have the honors of driving the Slo-Mo V (since it's "his" engine) as well as the Museums Director, David Williams. During the past four weeks, we have spent Tuesday and Thursday evenings (sometimes until 11:00pm) and all day Saturday (our normal "Thriftway" day), re-plumbing the oil, water and fuel systems and re-doing the electrical wiring. Larry wanted to make sure the engine wouldn't miss a beat back in Detroit! All this hard work will be tested next Tuesday, July 6th, on Lake Washington as we are going to run the Five, along with the 1982 Altas Van Lines whose engine was re-built over the winter by Jim Harvey, then the following Tuesday it's off to Detroit! The following weekend will be Tri-Cities where Rob will be running the Hawaii Kai, a two week break then Seattles Seafair Chevrolet Cup where the Kai will be run again! Like last year, this is where we get to have our fun by actually making smoke, noise and roostertails!!!! Once again, We need to acknowledge the opportunity that has been afforded us by the Museum. Without the experience we have gained by working on these awesome pieces of history, the Miss Thriftway project would still be a dream...Thank you David!


July 13, 2004 (Tuesday) Detroit River - Detroit, Michigan
Since we are back here, and I seem to have an internet connection, I will be trying to update with photos and stories the happenings from the previous day. There is a lot of activity planned so I may only get some photos up, and there is no guarantee, but I'll do my best!

July 14, 2004 (Wednesday) Detroit River - Detroit, Michigan
OK...David Williams got the boat into the pits last night along with the Century21, and we got pitted right next to the T-5 and T-6 Budweisers! We were waiting on getting a waterline so we could fire the engine but didn't get it until we were ready to leave...the Slo-Mo V was scheduled for a display today between 4:00-8:00. By the time we got it back and ate dinner the good news came our only course time is 8:00am tomorrow morning (That's 5:00am Pacific Daylight Time on which we're use to!) Larry went to the store, just dropped me off and I left the camera in the car so I'll need to post the pictures tomorrow...
Crew with the recently restored Gold Cup Medallions on the Gold Cup showing the two 1955 Miss Thriftway victories Presidents Cup (Miss Thriftway won in 1956) Slo-Mo-Shun V and Century 21 in Detroit! Our pit location next to Miss Budweiser Wednesday afternoon Display at Keim Red Carpet Realty (one of our sponsors)

July 15, 2004 (Thursday) Detroit River - Detroit, Michigan
Well, things didn't go too well today. We trailer fired the engine, coupled it up and put her in the water. Conditions were PERFECT except the primer solenoid quit working and David couldn't get her started. Larry and Chief changed it out, then off she went only to quit near turn One. When she got towed back in we discoved a carb problem so we changed to another one. Right after lunch, we trailer fired again and everything seemed good. Put her in the water and off she went! Nate Brown in the U-10 went out also for a photo shoot with the Mo, but after 4 laps, she quit...In the process of trailer firing in order to try to figure out what was going on, water started coming out of cylinder #1 (it's NOT suppose to do that!) We then concluded the head had cracked so it looks like we are going to become a display and picture taking crew for the fans.
David Williams getting ready to take the Mo out! Ike in the Century21 The first time in 51 years the Slo-Mo-Shun V is on the Detroit River!

July 16, 2004 (Friday) Detroit River - Detroit, Michigan
Good day of getting the boat and Museum some exposure. Took lots of pictures for people. Tonight was the benefit auction at the Grosse Pointe Yacht Club. Quite successful for the DRRA.
Roger Newton (current U-25 Crew Chief) with Jim Buhl Crew Chief of the Miss Smirnoff Pit Row The Crew at Gross Point Yacht Club

July 17, 2004 (Saturday) Detroit River - Detroit, Michigan
Tom D'Eath new Chief Operations Officer of Hydro-Prop Larry Fuller, Jane and Billy Schumacher along with the Museums Web Master, Dale Fugier watching heat 1A Miss Elam without her tail feathers Larry with a poster from the movie 'Madison' Fan Cam Autograph session Larrys wrist held up just fine! Ike is having a GREAT time! (That's Danny Foster to his left!) Miss Elams Flip

July 18, 2004 (Sunday) Detroit River - Detroit, Michigan
Larry and Steve Comptons helmets on the Century21 (Graphics by Brad Haskin of the U-8) Stuart Jones getting ready for his ride in the Century21 Danny Foster getting dressed up for his ride in the Century21 Danny and Ike getting settled in Off they go! All Done! Danny comment after the ride...'It's like I never left!' The final line up Oh Boy! Oberto lost her tail feathers in the final More Fan Cam!