Following the 2005 ABRA season, owner and driver Ken Muscatel announced that he was retiring from the racing circuit. However, the “World’s Fastest Forensic Psychologist” couldn’t stay away for long, returning for 2006 after reaching an agreement with Jim Harvey to lease the U-2 for the year. Taking home seventh place that year, Muscatel purchased the hull after the 2006 circuit.
In 2009, the hull underwent extensive updating in the shop of new partner Ron Jones, Jr.
Driver Profile
DR KEN MUSCATEL: The only full-time driver/owner on the Unlimited circuit, Dr. Ken Muscatel has
been racing for 20 seasons. Known as the “World’s Fastest Forensic
Psychologist,” Muscatel was honored as "Rookie of the Year" in
1991.
Over the years, Ken has served as the APBA Unlimited
Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner as well as the President of the Hydroplane
and Raceboat Museum in Kent, Washington.
In his capacity as a
hydroplane owner, Muscatel holds the world’s one-mile straightaway speed record
set in 2000 as his boat--the MISS FREEI--ran 205 MPH with driver Russ Wicks.
Ken's best year as a driver is 1998 when his boat finished sixth
in a field of sixteen teams in the National High Point Standings and finished
second in the Indiana Governor’s Cup at Madison with MISS NORTHWEST
UNLIMITED.
Muscatel brought out a newly re-configured boat in mid-season
2009 and placed fifth at "Thunder On The Ohio" in Evansville, Indiana, under the
banner of MISTER HOME LOAN.
The good doctor played a major role in making
the 2009 UIM World Championship Race in Doha, Qatar, a reality. Ken worked
closely with H1 Unlimited Chairman Sam Cole in bringing Unlimited racing to the
Middle East for the very first time.
As a forensic psychologist, Dr.
Muscatel has evaluated and testified in literally hundreds of criminal cases.
After a tough week at the office in his all-too-real-life occupation, Ken enjoys
the escape of hydroplane competition and considers it to be the perfect outlet
for his emotions.
