by Tara Jeffrey for the Sarnia Observer
The legendary Canadian hydroplane Miss Supertest III raced the blue waters of the St. Clair River
(2013) O
ne of the main attractions set to arrive on Front Street for the upcoming International Powerboat Festival is a legendary Canadian hydroplane with a storied career that began in Sarnia.
“It’s absolutely beautiful,” event chair Scott MacLean said of the Miss Supertest III, a famous hydroplane of the ’50s and ’60s that dominated the international racing scene. The vessel, once known as the fastest hydroplane powerboat in the world, will be on display outside of Sarnia City Hall on Aug. 10 and 11, as part of the third annual event.
“It will be well-known amongst the crowd, especially anyone who was a racing fan back then,” said MacLean.
Miss Supertest — birthed, outfitted and polished at Mac Craft Industries at the Sarnia Harbour — won three straight Harmsworth Cups against U.S. Racers in 1959, 1960 and 1961, which was no small feat.
Back then, boats had to be constructed entirely in the country they raced for, giving the U.S. and its huge manufacturing base an advantage. American sportsmen had held the trophy for almost 40 years.
When it wasn’t racing, the Supertest — built with a massive Rolls Royce engine after the Second World War — was practising in the St. Clair River. There were three Miss Supertest boats — owned by J. Gordon Thompso
n, owner of Supertest Petroleum (later acquired by BP) — that raced between 1951 and 1961. Thompson’s son Jim, a part-time resident of Corunna, managed the team, with driver Bob Hayward at the helm.
Back then, residents lined the waterfront to witness the thrilling vessel roar down the St. Clair River. But the champion boats were retired in 1961 after Hayward died behind the wheel of the Miss Supertest II at the Silver Cup on the Detroit River. That boat was eventually dismantled and the parts later lost in a fire, while the Miss Supertest III spent years at both the Science Centre in Toronto and the Canadian Motorsports Hall of Fame.
In 2011 Canada Post issued a stamp to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the historic victory by Miss Supertest III.