It's the summer of 1971, and the small river town of Madison, Ind., is facing economic calamity as factories shut down and Madisonites follow jobs to Indianapolis, Cincinnati and Chicago. But Jim McCormick is held fast to the picturesque locale by one thing: speedboat racing.
Madison is one of the original stops on the hydroplane racing boat circuit, but now it competes alongside more glamorous cities such as Miami, Chicago and San Diego. And the town-owned boat, the Miss Madison, starts out with several handicaps. She races against teams with powerhouse sponsors such as Budweiser and Atlas Van Lines. Her 25-year-old engine turns her into an also-ran in the dangerous, fast-paced sport. Jim, the boat's chief mechanic, is competing with a ghost from his past; a race accident years earlier left him with a limp and killed his friend.
So when the luck of the draw awards the Gold Cup championship race to Madison, Jim and the town see an opportunity to turn around their fortunes. Can they raise the $50,000 needed to get the race to Madison? Can the team get the boat into prime condition so that she can compete in the big race? Can Jim gather up his courage to drive the Miss Madison? Madison's fate seems to depend on it.
Virtues and Values
Jim has constructed a strong marriage with Bonnie, and he and son Mike also share a loving bond. The strength of their relationship allows Jim and Bonnie to work through hard times (some of which are generated by Jim's almost obsessive dedication to the town and the boat).
The entire Miss Madison team acts like a big, extended family. And they are all patient and helpful toward Buddy, a mentally retarded man with a pure, uncomplicated love of the sport who wants to help out with the boat. Jim's devotion and dedication to the town is inspiring. His belief in the team, the town and the ability to win the boat race lifts the spirit of all he comes into contact.
