Jamie began racing at the age of 12, and while racing has always been a passionate endeavor of his, Jamie prides himself on demonstrating a strong emphasis on teamwork, sportsmanship, and family values. In Outboard Hydroplane racing, Jamie has set 12 world speed records (currently still holds 6), won 15 national high point championships, won 3 national championship races and inducted into the APBA Hall of Champions twice.
Moving into Inboard Hydroplane racing, Jamie was the 2013 5-liter National Champion, won the 2016 San Diego Bayfair Grand Prix race, was the 2017 & 2018 Grand Prix Eastern Division Champion and the 2018 Grand Prix North American Champion.
He got his first ride in an Unlimited Hydroplane in Seattle in 2010 driving Billy Schumacher’s U-37 “Miss Peters & May”, with Scott Raney as Crew Chief.
In 2013, he qualified as an Unlimited driver aboard the U-21 Go Fast Turn Left Racing entry and in 2014 posted his first heat victory in Madison, IN.
Nilsen is also a member of the Central Washington University Hall of Fame and holds the highest career batting average in school history (.399). He batted .365 as a freshman, .372 as a sophomore, .391 as a junior, and a school-record.468 as a senior. Over his career, Nilsen posted 61 doubles, 13 triples, 29 home runs and 183 RBI. A two-time GNAC Player of the Year and four-time All-GNAC first-team selection, Nilsen was also named a first-team NCAA Division II All-American in 2008 and earned honorable mention All-American honors in 2006. He signed professionally and played one year in the Kansas City Royals’ minor league system.
Outboard Hydroplane Accomplishments:
- Set 12 world speed records (currently hold 6)
- 15-time national high point champion
- 3-time national championship winner
- 2x APBA hall of champions inductee (2001,2002)
Inboard Hydroplane Accomplishments:
- 2013 5 liter national champion (co-driver)
- 2014 Set current 1.25 Grand Prix world record
- 2014 Qualified as unlimited hydroplane driver
- 2014 Unlimited hydroplane heat win
- 2016 San Diego Bayfair Grand Prix race win
- 2017 & 2018 Grand Prix Eastern Division Champion
- 2018 Grand Prix North American Champion
