Kolby Crook
Boat Racer
Kolby Crook #40
Age : 16
Hometown : Dawson Springs, KY
Team Name : Q&M Watersports Racing
Boat Class : SST45
Boat Number : 40
Crew Chief : Corey Merrill
Engine Builder : Corey Merrill/Q&M Watersports
Crew Members : Corey Merrill, Lee Jones, Kristin Merrill
Years as a Race Driver : 7
Occupation : Student/Dock hand
Employer : All Aboard Pontoon Rentals
Years On The Job : 2
What Got You Started Racing : Stepbrother raced and it looked fun
Sponsors : Q&M Watersports, All Aboard Pontoon Rentals, Hucks Food and Fuel, Jasper Engines and Transmissions, Dr. Pepper, Eddycreek Marina and Resort
Career Highlights : Winning first ever J Hydro race in Jesup, GA
Racing Goals : Win a race
Hobbies and Interests : Golf, Boat Racing, Duck Hunting, Fourwheeler riding
Marshall Gildermaster
Boat Racer
Marshall Gildermaster #78
Driver Age : 69
Hometown : Spring Branch, TX
Team Name : Mars Rcn
Boat Class : SST45
Boat Number : 78
Crew Members : Tom and Tylen Langeland, Junior
Nickname : Mars
Spouse Name : Suzanne
Years Together With Spouse : 35
Years as a race driver : 10
Occupation : Retired Airline Pilot
Employer : Southwest Airlines
Years On The Job : 26
What Got You Started Racing : Building Hydroplane and sriver school
Sponsors : Concorde Aircraft Batteries
Career Highlights : East Coast Inboard Challenge Winner 2018
Racing Goals : Win a SST 45 Race
Hobbies and Interests : Flying Tunnel Boat and Inboard hydroplanes
CHRIS HUGHES
Boat Racer
Chris Hughes #17
Age : 48
Hometown : Santa Fe, TX
Team Name : Makin’ Waves Racing
Boat Class : SST 45 Formula Lights
Boat Number : #17
Crew Chief : David Johnigan
Engine Builder : Hal Brooms Only The Best
Crew Members : Tim Kraft Gavin Kraft
Nickname : Chris
Spouse Name : Julie Vaughn
Years Together With Spouse : 11
Years as a Race Driver : 13
Occupation : Outboard Mechanic
Employer : Suncoast Marine Works
Years On The Job : 12
What Got You Started Racing : The Love of Boats and Competition
Sponsors : Suncoast Marine Works. JJJ Firearms
Career Highlights : Keep’n My Opinions Mine.
Racing Goals : WIN WIN WIN and Win Some More
Hobbies and Interests : Tunnel Boat Racing, Duck Hunting, Deer Hunting Tarpon Fish’n
JAMES KLEIN
Boat Racer
James Klein #41
Age : 22
Hometown : Davisburg
Team Name : Half Fast Racing
Boat Class : SST45
Boat Number : 41
Crew Chief : Lawrence Klein
Engine Builder : James Klein
Crew Members : Jessica Parsons, Andrew Luchenbach, Ethan Fenton, Brad Hyduk
Years as a Race Driver : 13
Occupation : Student
Employer : Michigan Tech University
What Got You Started Racing : in the family
Sponsors : Crane Technologies
Hobbies and Interests : Backpacking, Gaming, Skiing
Steve Lee
Boat Racer
Steve Lee #25
Age : 47
Hometown : Ocala, FL
Team Name : Lee Motorsports
Boat Class : Formula Lights
Boat Number : 26
Crew Chief : Mike Lee
Engine Builder : Mike Lee
Crew Members : Mike Lee, Jose Mendana Sr, Kevin Pasch, Tim Toole, Scott Toole
Years as a Race Driver : 10
Occupation : CPA
What Got You Started Racing : My father and grandfather
Sponsors : HoleShot Powersports, Mike Scott Plumbing, Nut House Yacht Club
Career Highlights : F1: 2012 Bay City River Roar 5th, Seattle Seafair 4th. Formula Lights: 2016 – 1st at Bay City, Orange, TX. 2nd at Pt Neches and Pittsburgh, 4th at Laporte, IN. 2017: 1st AT Springfield, 2nd at Gulfport, FL
SHELBY LOVE
Boat Racer
Shelby Love #24
Hometown : Thousand Oaks, CA
Team Name : Clover Racing
Boat Class : SST45
Boat Number : 24
Crew Chief : Hailey Love
Crew Members : Treiden Schleicher, Spencer Love, Troy Nelson, Jake Nelson, Addy Love
Nickname : Shelb
Years as a Race Driver : 4
Occupation : Student
What Got You Started Racing : My dad
Sponsors : Clover Construction
Career Highlights : Winning J Runabout Marathon
Racing Goals : Win overall in points in 45
Hobbies and Interests : Helping my dad work on race stuff and photography
HANS MCCAULEY
Boat Racer
Hans McCauley #42
Driver Age : 31
Hometown : Vienna, Austria
Team Name : McCauley and son racing
Boat Class : Sst 45
Boat Number : 42
Crew Chief : John Calley
Engine Builder : Joe McCauley
Years as a race driver : 10
Occupation : Simulation Engineer
What Got You Started Racing : Im the third generation of boat racers from our family
Career Highlights : 2 third places
Racing Goals : Stay upright
Website : www.mccauleyandson.com
CARLOS MENDANA
Boat Racer
Carlos Mendana #27
Age : 28
Hometown : Miami, FL
Team Name : Mendana Enterprises
Boat Class : Formula Lights
Boat Number : 27
Crew Chief : Jose Mendana Sr
Engine Builder : Mike Lee
Crew Members : Jose Mendana Sr., Tim Toole, Scott Toole, Kevin Pasch, Jose Mendana Jr, John Giacoletti, Steve Lee, Mike Lee
Nickname : Carlito
Years as a Race Driver : 8
Occupation : Marine Electronics Technician
Employer : Hartman Yachts
Years On The Job : 3
What Got You Started Racing : 4th generation racing family
Sponsors : Nut House Yacht Club, Bay Composites, Mike Scott Plumbing, Green Tree Media, Hondros Education
Career Highlights : 2012 Formula Lights Bay City winner, 2013 Formula 1 Rookie of the Year, 2013 3rd place finish Formula 1 @laPorte, IN
Racing Goals : Hall of Champions
JOSE MENDANA JR.
Boat Racer
Jose Mendana Jr. #21
Age : 37
Hometown : Lutz, FL
Team Name : Mendana Enterprises
Boat Class : Formula Lights, Formula One
Boat Number : 27
Engine Builder : Mike Lee
Crew Members : Kevin Pasch, Steve Lee, Mike Lee, Jose Mendana Sr, Scott Toole, Tim Toole, Kevin Keith, Joy Keith
Nickname : Miami Madman
Spouse Name : Lesma Baez
Years as a Race Driver : 20
Employer : Pepin Distributing Company
Years On The Job : 6
What Got You Started Racing : 4th Generation
Sponsors : Mike Scott Plumbing, Mendana Enterprises
Career Highlights : 2006, 07, 08 F lights World Champion, 2007,08,10 F Lights National Champion, 2008 F2 Rookie of the Year, 2010 F1 Rookie of the Year, 3 Hall of Champion Inductions
COREY MERRILL
Boat Racer
Corey Merrill #82
Age : 43
Hometown : Dawson Springs, KY
Team Name : Q&M Watersports Racing
Boat Class : SST45
Boat Number : 82
Crew Chief : Lee Jones
Engine Builder : Corey Merrill/Q&M Watersports
Crew Members : Lee Jones & Kristin Merrill
Spouse Name : Kristin Merrill
Years Together With Spouse : 8
Years as a Race Driver : 4
Occupation : Marine Sales and Service
Employer : Q&M Watersports
Years On The Job : 25
What Got You Started Racing : Always a boat racing fan, and the kids started racing the small boats. It looked fun so I decided to give it a try!
Sponsors : Q&M Watersports, All Aboard Pontoon Rentals, Hucks Food and Fuel, Jasper Engines and Transmissions, Dr. Pepper, Eddycreek Marina and Resort
Career Highlights : Powerboat Nationals Rookie of the Year 2022
Racing Goals : Have lots of fun!!
Hobbies and Interests : Boat Racing, Fishing, Cooking
J.W. Nelson
Boat Racer
J.W. Nelson #18
Driver Age : 37
Hometown : Live in Atlanta,, GA but I’m from Syracuse, NY
Team Name : Screamin’ Eagles
Boat Class : Formula Lights – SST45
Boat Number : 18
Crew Chief : Tom Wein
Engine Builder : Mark Schmerbauch
Crew Members : Tom Wein, Daryl Balcom, Gary Pugh, Chad Lee, Rob Dinic’, Randy Spitler, Derek Smith, Lisa Balcom, Farmer B, Bill Hesson, Fred “Grandpa” Nelson, Wyatt Nelson Racing
Nickname : J Dubb
Years as a race driver : 22
Occupation : CPA – Public Accountant
Employer : Frazier Deeter, LLC
Years On The Job : 16
What Got You Started Racing : My father, Wyatt Nelson; grandfather, Fred Nelson and Bill Hesson; I’m a 3rd generation boat racer
Sponsors : Frazier Deeter, LLC (Jason Nelson, Partnet); Wyatt H. Nelson Architecture; Dewald Propellers; Pugh Boat Works; Interskate 88
Career Highlights : 2018 Powerboat Nationals Series Champions; 2018 North American Champions; 2009 World Champions; 2008 Algonac Chris Craft Regatta Champions
Racing Goals : Win more championships and series championships
Hobbies and Interests : Basketball and Golf
RANDY PARTCH
Boat Racer
Randy Partch #66
Age : 48
Hometown : Port Charlotte, FL
Team Name : Liquid Revolutions Racing
Boat Class : SST45 / Formula Lights
Boat Number : 66
Crew Chief : Ted Partch
Engine Builder : Self
Crew Members : Ted Partch, Dave “Gonzo” Gonzales, Richard Dyess, Tommy Green, Britney Cox
Spouse Name : Britney Cox
Years as a Race Driver : 3
Employer : Self
What Got You Started Racing : “Saw my first race in Windsor, CO and knew I wanted to do it”
Sponsors : Antigravity Batteries (https://antigravitybatteries.com/ref/71/), GEN-Y Hitch (https://genyhitch.com), The Fallen Outdoors (https://thefallenoutdoors.org), WeinerWraps (https://weinerwraps.com)
Career Highlights : 3rd Place in APBA points in 2023
Racing Goals : Continue learning and improving my skills as a driver, boat and engine builder
Hobbies and Interests : Racing, Boating, Scuba Diving, International Travel, Motocross, BBQ/Smoking
Tyler Petersen
Boat Racer
Tyler Petersen #14
Driver Name : Tyler Petersen
Driver Age : 24
Hometown : Stacy, MN
Team Name : Petersen; Peterson Racing
Boat Class : Formula Light
Boat Number : 14
Crew Chief : Aaron Wachholz
Engine Builder : Tyler Petersen
Crew Members : Aaron Wachholz, Todd Peterson, Emma Wachholz
Years as a race driver : 7
Occupation : Boat Repair
Employer : X-Treme Paint Auto Body &Marine
What Got You Started Racing : Our local club in Minnesota
Sponsors : Latitude Dispensary, Wescon, X-Treme Paint
Career Highlights : 1st Place at 2022 Lake Havasu Classic, 3rd Place in total points for 2022
Hobbies and Interests : Pleasure boating, snowmobiling, fishing
Mark Schmerbauch
Boat Racer
Mark Schmerbauch #35
Driver Age : 66
Hometown : Greenfield, Wisconsin
Team Name : BB Racing
Boat Class : F-Lights (SST45)
Boat Number : 35
Crew Chief : Rick Bobalik
Engine Builder : Mark Schmerbauch
Crew Members : Rick & Marie Bobalik, Brandon Bobalik, Roger Bobalik, Jay & Paula Carothers
Years Together With Spouse : 44
Years as a race driver : 46
Occupation : Semi-Retired
What Got You Started Racing : My brother brought a race boat and later asked me to drive it.
Sponsors : Pizza Inn, Jerrod Broussard, Port Neches TX ; Jerry’s Marine, Jerry Pettefe, Lake Charles LA ; The Foot Doctor, Ron Thomas, Milwaukee WI
Career Highlights : 5x UIM World Champion (2012,’13,’15,’16,’17) ; 10x National Champion ; 9x National High Point Champion ; 6x National Total Points Per Class ; 2x Pro Tunnel Boat Champion (2012,2013) ; 7x North American Champion (Official Record Holder) ; 7x Wisconsin State Champion ; 11x Illinois State Champion ; 3x Midwest Champion ; 10x Central Divisional Champion ; 2x Henry Menzies Memorial Award (1981,1989)
Racing Goals : To stay competitive
Hobbies and Interests : Weight Training, Collecting Post War Lionel Trains, and researching all motorsport racing concepts.
TREIDEN SCHLEICHER
Boat Racer
Treiden Schleicher #12
Age : 19
Hometown : Rhinlander, CA
Team Name : Clover Racing
Boat Class : SST 45
Boat Number : 12
Crew Chief : Spencer Love
Engine Builder : Spencer Love
Crew Members : Hailey Love, Shelby Love, Troy Nelson
Years as a Race Driver : 9
Occupation : Clover Masonry Construction
Employer : Clover Masonry Construction
Years On The Job : 1.5
What Got You Started Racing : I started going with my grandpa when I was 2
Sponsors : Clover Masonry Construction, Angels Block, White Cap
Career Highlights : 3 out of 4 North America Championships in the junior category, national championship in the junior category, and 2024 Port Neches TX Champion
Racing Goals : Rookie of the Year, Series Championship, World Championship, Hall of Fame
RICKEY SOBER
Boat Racer
Rickey Sober #67
Age : 57
Hometown : Wheat Ridge, Colorado
Team Name : Relic Racing
Boat Class : Formula Lights- SST45
Boat Number : 67
Crew Chief : Joe Sober
Engine Builder : Rickey Sober
Crew Members : Kenny Machan, Cindy Sober, Candy Herbelin
Occupation : Boat Service Owner
Employer : Owns Best Marine in Wheat Ridge Colorado
Years On The Job : 8
What Got You Started Racing : My dad races tunnel boats for years when I was younger. It was always something I wanted to try.
Sponsors : Best Marine, Machan Trucking and Liquid Revolutions
Career Highlights : 3rd in series points in rookie year.
Racing Goals : To win a championship
TRAVIS THOMPSON
Boat Racer
Travis Thompson #2
Age : 36
Hometown : Houston, Tx
Team Name : Thompson Racing
Boat Class : Formula Lights/SST 45
Boat Number : 2
Crew Chief : Davey Thompson
Engine Builder : Davey Thompson
Crew Members : Taylor Thompson, Tyler Thompson
Years as a Race Driver : 16
Occupation : Wine Sales
Employer : Beviamo International
Years On The Job : 2
What Got You Started Racing : Dad took me to a race in Highlands Tx in 2001 and I loved the speed and sound. Two seater ride at Port Neches in 2003 really sealed the deal.
Career Highlights : Lots of podiums
Racing Goals : Still chasing the top box !
DOMINICK TROLIAN
Boat Racer
Dominick Trolian #47
Age : 16
Hometown : Milan, Michigan
Team Name : Team Racecraft
Boat Class : F-Light/SST-45
Boat Number : 47
Crew Chief : Brian Trolian
Engine Builder : Dominick Trolian
Crew Members : Jake Alkema, Brian Trolian, Ike Carson, Jason Sailor
Years as a Race Driver : 9
What Got You Started Racing : My parents met through racing and I have been around it my entire life
Sponsors : S&J Asphalt, SP Petrol, Red Rocket apparel
Dan Trosen
Boat Racer
Dan Trosen #77
Age : 46
Team Name : Trosen Motorsports
Boat Class : F-Lights/SST-45
Boat Number : 77
Crew Chief : Preston Smith
Engine Builder : Myself
Years as a Race Driver : 10 years racing tunnel boats, 30 years racing cars.
Occupation : Mechanic
Employer : General motors
Sponsors : DeBackers Lawn Care/Moran Buick GMC
JARED WALLACH
Boat Racer
Jared Wallach #69
Driver Name : Jared Wallach
Driver Age : 26
Hometown : Redondo Beach, CA
Team Name : Peterson Racing
Boat Class : SST-45
Boat Number : 69
Crew Chief : Todd & Diane Peterson
Crew Members : Nic & Zach Peterson, Jacob Wallach
Years as a race driver : 17
Occupation : Commercial Real Estate
Employer : Marcus & Millichap
Years On The Job : 4
What Got You Started Racing : Father got me a J Hydro at 9 years old
Sponsors : Peterson Racing, Clover Construction & Westcon LLC
Career Highlights : 1st Place Gulfport 2018, 3rd Place Port Neches 2022 & WFLS Rookie of the Year
Racing Goals : Go fast & turn left
Hobbies and Interests : Surfing & Drumming in the alternative rock band “Virginia Crime”
ERIC WIENCZAK
Boat Racer
Eric Wienczak #83
Driver Age : 36
Hometown : Highland , Michigan
Team Name : Wienczak racing
Boat Class : Formula Lights- Sst45
Boat Number : 83
Crew Chief : David wienczak
Engine Builder : Adam Low
Crew Members : Dustin Pearson, Sara Meloche
Years as a race driver : 12
Occupation : HVAC Technician
Years On The Job : 8
What Got You Started Racing : My father raced in the 70s and I grew up watching my uncle race stock outboard
Sponsors : Sleepy eyed goose resort
Career Highlights : Getting my first career pole position in new martinsville
Racing Goals : Be a contender at every race , win a national championship
Hobbies and Interests : Fishing , golfing and video games