By Fred Farley -
ABRA Unlimited Historian
In those halcyon days of the 1950s, heroes and villains were clearly defined in the battle
between Seattle and Detroit over possession of the APBA Gold Cup.
To Seattle fans, Bill Muncey was the hero and Schoenith was the villain. To Detroit fans,
the opposite was true: Schoenith was the hero and Muncey was the villain.
The media and the fans couldn't get enough of the rivalry between the two men, who
played their roles to the hilt and with great relish.
But the rivalry was strictly show business. In private, Lee and Bill were close personal
friends. In the 1970s, they were owner and driver respectively of the ATLAS VAN LINES
team and won many races together.

Joseph Lee Schoenith began his Unlimited hydroplane career in 1950. He and his father,
Joe Schoenith, MISS FROSTIE from Warren Avis, Avis Rent-A-Car and named it GALE
(U-50) to publicize W.D. Gale, Inc, the family's Detroit-based electrical contracting firm.
Family friend Jack Schafer, owner of the SUCH CRUST boats, convinced Joe and Lee that
hydro racing was an excellent vehicle for business promotion.
Jerry's older brother Lee, wins the APBA Gold Cup
Jerry in front of the 2010 replica of the 1955 Gold Cup champion