Remembering hydroplane racing's "Black Sunday"

[Fenris]

Seattle P-I

By MICHAEL MCLAUGHLIN

Black Sunday.

Memories of hydroplane racing's darkest day still resonate 40 years later.

It was June 19, 1966, when three of the sport's most popular drivers died during the running of the President's Cup on the Potomac River in Washington, D.C.

The winner traditionally received the championship trophy from the nation's president, but on this weekend, there was no post-race ceremony with Lyndon Johnson.

The cold hand of death took Ron Musson in a one-boat crash and then found Rex Manchester and Don Wilson at the same instant just hours later. Musson and Manchester were from Seattle, as popular here as the leading race car drivers in Indianapolis.

Initial reports blamed race officials for letting the boats compete under poor river conditions. There was too much floating debris in the river, they said, and a lack of safety patrol boats or a rescue helicopter. There are those who question to this day why the race was allowed to continue after Musson perished in the Miss Bardahl.

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Fascinating and sad story. Worth a read.