Powerboat driver

Charles F. Thompson is one of boat racing’s all-time greats, capturing 15 major races and two National High Point crowns during an Unlimited career that spanned three decades. After graduating from the Outboard classes in 1949, Thompson won renown as the pilot of MISS PEPSI, winning the President's Cup Race in Washington three straight years (1950-2). Another win in 1960 meant he received trophies from Presidents Truman, Eisenhower and Kennedy. Thompson won five Unlimited races in 1951 and three in 1952, acquiring the National High Point title both years. In 1957 and 1959, Thompson won races in his own boats, SHORT CIRCUIT and MISS DETROIT, and took four more majors in 1963-65. The only grand prize to elude him was the APBA Gold Cup. He came close in 1952 and ’64 and was awarded the 1956 Gold Cup before a protest overturned the results. He was killed during the 1966 Gold Cup on the Detroit River. Thompson was inducted into the Unlimited Hydroplane Hall of Fame and a 1963 recipient of the APBA Honor Squadron award.