D’Eath Wins Wind-Delayed Las Vegas Hydroplane Race

Tom D’Eath took advantage of calm winds and the smooth surface of Lake Mead to win the Budweiser Las Vegas Silver Cup unlimited hydroplane race Monday and set a world-record lap time for a 2-mile course.

D’Eath, of Fair Haven, Mich., powered Miss Budweiser through the 5-lap final heat at an average speed of 121.9 m.p.h. to win the race, which was postponed Sunday because of high winds. He also won one heat and finished second in another heat before winning the final, and his record lap speed was 139.13 m.p.h.

Miss Budweiser also took top boat honors in the 1988 HFC American Hydroplane Series. It was the second time the boat had won in the three-year history of the Silver Cup.

With the victory, D’Eath, 44, who replaced injured Jim Kropfeld after the opening race, took the drivers’ points title for the year.