SEATTLE, WA

Mike has been involved in boat racing since 1968, initially helping his father who raced in the 145ci. class. He qualified as an inboard driver in 1975 and is a past competition world record holder in the 145ci. class. He started working on Unlimited hydroplanes prior to the 1980 season with Miss Circus Circus and has worked with teams since then. Mike has joined Strong Racing, with “back of boat” duties including prop and rudder inspection and adjustment.

He has won nine National Championships with three different teams, and won eight Gold Cups with four different teams.

Mike is married to his wife Cindy and they have a daughter Courtney

AUBURN, WA

Jeff has been crewing for son J. Michael since the 2004 season. Jeff was a  second-generation racer with a long history in boat racing, beginning in 1981 and ending when J. Michael began in Unlimiteds.

He raced C Hydro, C Runabout and C Mod and held multiple records, most of which are now held by his son.

WESTLAND, MI

Tim was born into racing with his father who has been involved since the 1960’s. In 2015 Tim became owner of the Y-41 Shenanigans 1 liter hydroplane that J. Michael Kelly drives. He began in Unlimited racing in 2022  as radio man and crewman of the U-91.

He is married to wife Shannon, and has a son Alex and daughter Dylan.

PUYALLUP, WA

“Monkey” first got involved in inboard racing in 2008 with 2.5 and 5 liter hydros.  He was a crew member for Jones Racing in Unlimiteds 2011-2014 and joined Strong Racing in 2021. He is skid fin specialist on the U-8 Beacon Electric, and is often called on to paint when the boats need some cosmetic attention.

Jason owns the 2.5 liter hydro “Monkey Business”.

DETROIT, MI

Tommy has been crewing in Unlimited hydroplanes for decades and may hold the record for having been on the most teams of anyone in the sport.

He joined the team in 2021 and is responsible for all topside systems.

AUBURN, WA

Jason got involved in Unlimited racing in 2013 when he met his wife and joined the Jones Racing team. He worked on the U-9 for 6 years before the team retired in 2018. He then took 4 years off from racing before being asked by his  father-in-law Jeff Campbell to join Strong Racing. 

He and wife Kelsey have three children.

ENUMCLAW, WA

Desi first got involved in boat racing in 2014, working on Jones Racing’s U-9, and stayed with the boat when Strong Racing acquired it in 2020. She is in charge of fueling and general support.

Desi is married to U-9 teammate Brian and they have two daughters, Caroline and Julia.

SOUTH LYON, MI

Jim has been involved in the Limited Inboard category since 1989, where he has built and owned several One Litre Modified boats that have won 11 National Championships, set 19 World Records and won multiple Divisional and National titles.  

This will be Jim’s first year working in the Unlimited class, supporting the Strong Racing team with electrical systems and data analysis.

Jim is married to wife Jewel.

ISSAQUAH, WA

Travis started racing hydroplanes in 2017 in outboard classes ASH hydro and AXH hydro, following in the footsteps of his dad who raced in various classes in 1960.  He first became involved with the Unlimited class in 2019 as a crew member on the U-98 Graham Trucking American Dream.

He is proud father of daughter Desiraie

LAKE TAPPS, WA

Sam first got involved in boat racing when she met Jeff Campbell at age 18. She tried out a 1 liter in the late 80’s on Lake Tapps, and rode in the Miss Bardahl in 2019. Her first experience with Unlimiteds was during the early Budweiser days, and first worked on Unlimiteds when she joined Strong Racing in 2021.

Sam has a daughter, Vanessa who lives in Montgomery, TX. When not working on the U-9, she enjoys golf, landscaping, and refurbishing old pinball machines.