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Miss Supertest II during her world’s record speed trial on November 1, 1957. (Gazette file photo)
It hardly seems possible when you gaze out at Hayward Long Reach that the eyes of the Canadian sporting world were transfixed here just over six decades ago.
Miss Supertest II Driver Art Asbury is congratulated by boat owner Jim Thompson after setting the world’s water speed record on Long Reach on November 1, 1957. (Gazette file photo)
But Prince Edward County was the focal point of the national media and Canadians from coast-to-coast on Nov. 1, 1961 as driver Art Asbury and Miss Supertest II to roared down the Reach, hitting a speed mark of 184.4 miles per hour and creating a new world’s record for water speed.
The mark would be eclipsed later that year but the speed still stands as a Canadian Water Speed Record some 61 years later.
On Monday, Prince Edward County Mayor Robert Quaiff made the proclamation Thurs, Nov. 1, 2018 would stand in the municipality as Miss Supertest day in honour of the anniversary of the day a world’s record was set here.
The following is Quaiff’s proclamation issued Monday:
WHEREAS, on November 1, 1957 the Canadian Unlimited Class Hydroplane “Miss Supertest II” achieved the official world water speed record of 184.4 mph along the Canadian Boating Federation officially sanctioned 7 mile-long course along (Hayward) Long Reach in Prince Edward County; and
WHEREAS this speed record is recognized by the Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM), the world governing body for all powerboating activities; and
WHEREAS this historical event was recognized locally and internationally by way of newspaper headlines, radio and TV reports; and
WHEREAS this speed record still stands – 61 years later – as the Official Canadian Water Speed Record;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT I, Robert L. Quaiff, Mayor of The Corporation of the County of Prince Edward, do hereby proclaim Thursday, November 1, 2018 as “Miss Supertest” Day in the County of Prince Edward.
Mayor Robert L. Quaiff DATED at Picton this 29th day of October, 2018
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