Career
The International Motorsports Hall of Fame and hydroplane historian Dan Cowie described Muncey as "without question, the greatest hydroplane racer in history." Muncey was nicknamed "Mr. Unlimited".
Muncey began his boat racing career in 1949 by sinking in front of a hometown crowd on the Detroit River. Muncie"s first attempt to drive in an American Power Boat Association (APBA) Gold Cup event began by blowing up the engine.
Muncey went to Gar Wood’s riverfront mansion, and asked Wood for help.
Muncey got an engine from Wood, but the bottom of the boat fell out during the next race. He followed up with four wins in 1980.
Muncey was leading the final heat of the World Championship race at Acapulco on October 18, 1981 when he died in a blowover crash while travelling 175 miles per hour (280 kilometers per hour). He was buried at Glen Abbey Memorial Park in Bonita, California
In more than three decades of hydroplane racing, Muncey had claimed eight Gold Cups (1956, 1957, 1961, 1962, 1972, 1977, 1978, 1979), seven United States. National Championships (1960, 1961, 1962, 1972, 1976, 1978, 1979), and four World Championships.
He was named the driver of the year seven times.
In Fran Muncey"s final year, the boat was renamed the Miller High Life, owing to Miller Brewing"s rebranding of motorsport operations. Chip Hanauer drove the Muncey operation throughout her control before the team was bought out by Circus Circus at the end of the 1988 season. Thunderboating with Bill Muncey, Tony Hogg.
1979.
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Bill Muncey: Boat Racing Legend, Stephen A. Garey (Unlimiteds Detroit 1982 Library of Congress Number. 91-672
Personal life
Twice married: 17-years to Mary "Kit" Muncey (m 1952- div 1969) 3-children, died February 14, 2006
Married to Fran Norman, in 1969, until his death in 1981. One child.