Tom D'Eath

Tom D'Eath began his career in boat racing at the age of 14 in 1958. His first race was an outboard marathon around Belle Isle in his hometown of Detroit. He went on to be a successful limited inboard racer in the 1960's, winning three National Championships in the 150 cubic inch Hydroplane class. He raced off-shore racing boats during the late 1960's and early 1970's, setting records and winning races. He then began racing Unlimited Hydroplanes in 1973. He went on to win 16 Unlimited Hydroplane races between 1975 and 1990. His wins include the APBA Gold Cup three times (1976, 1989, 1990) and the Prince Edward Canadian Gold Cup three times (1974, 1976, 1980). He retired from competition in 1991. Power Boat Magazine dubbed Tom D'Eath as "Mr. Hydroplane."Tom was the winner of the 1975 Gar Wood Trophy and the 1976 American Power Boat Association (APBA) Gold Cup in Detroit with George Simon's "Miss U.S".

He was the winner of the 1982 Indiana Governor's Cup and Tri-Cities Columbia Cup with Bob Steil's "The Squire Shop".

Tom won twelve unlimited hydroplane races between 1988 and 1990 with Bernie Little's "Miss Budweiser". He won the Unlimited title in 1988. He won the 1989 and 1990 APBA Gold Cup races (at San Diego and Detroit) with the "Miss Budweiser". He raised the world lap speed record to 160 mph in 1990 at Evansville, Indiana