Decades ago, Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians orchestra intoxicated packed houses at Dunn’s Pavilion in Bala with ‘the sweetest sounds this side of Heaven”. Today another type of instrument has arrived in Muskoka – Lombardo’s Unlimited class racing boat Tempo VII. Famous for an entirely different kind of “music”, she is ready to thrill visitors when she makes her debut at the Canadian Raceboat Hall of Fame being built just outside of Bracebridge, Ontario.
Murray Walker of the Hall of Fame project says “Two years ago the mere notion of showcasing Canada’s undefeated Miss Supertest III together with the last boat to challenge her seemed a bridge too far; today, that dream is fast becoming a reality. When our facility is completed in the spring of 2024, Miss Supertest and Tempo will become permanent stable mates.”
The CRHF project is being supported by a nation-wide desire to celebrate Canada’s powerboat racing achievements. From the earliest days of “seaflea” competitions through outboard hydroplanes to tunnel and Unlimited class powerhouses, Canadian boats have been world champions. Today, boat racing is experiencing a resurgence across the country; most significantly, young men and women are putting aside their smart phones and taking up racing. Besides featuring a wide array of great racing boats, CRHF will work with the Muskoka Seaflea organization to operate a family-friendly seaflea-building shop as part of the facility. CRHF is indebted to other bodies such as the City of London (former caretakers of Tempo VII), the Thompson family (who safeguarded Miss Supertest III for over 50 years), and various Canadian race organizations and legends.
Additional information and photographs about the Canadian Raceboat Hall of Fame and Event Centre, the race boats and engines to be featured there, its seaflea-building initiative and other projects can be accessed by contacting CRHF representatives by email at jdsyqa@outlook.com. CHRF also posts frequent updates to our Facebook page @greatraceboats.
