The thunder may be missing from the river this year.

Detroit, where unlimited hydroplanes have been racing since 1916, is the sole home of the American Power Boat Association Gold Cup, the most prestigious trophy in hydroplane racing and the longest active trophy in all of motor sports.

But unless a title sponsor is found by the end of May, the scheduled 102nd running of the Gold Cup race in July may be canceled.

"To not have the Gold Cup in Detroit would be like not having the Daytona 500 in Daytona, or the Borg Warner Trophy [[for the Indianapolis 500) in Indianapolis," said event director Mark Weber.

The hunt for sponsorship is a recurrent one, toughened by the stagnant economy.

The Gold Cup is a part of Detroit's history as the Motor City. And history is one of the reasons why the APBA made Detroit the Gold Cup's permanent home in 1989.

The other reason is because the Detroit River course is famous in the sport as a driver's course. The Rooster Tail Turn, in front of the Detroit Yacht Club, is one of the tightest in power boat racing, often providing tight racing that highlights skill as much as speed.
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