U-7 Unlimited Hydroplane Team Names Adds Kelly To 2009 Driver Line-Up
J. Michael Kelly has been named to drive the U-7 Unlimited hydroplane for the 2009 season. Kely is a world-class driver with wins across the globe.
Courtesy: ABRA Media Relations
Ted Porter and Precision Performance Engineering’s Racing Team are pleased to announce the signing of driver J. Michael Kelly for the 2009 season.
J. Michael will pilot the U-7 Unlimited hydroplane on the six-stop American Boat Racing Association circuit.
At 28 years old, Kelly is a 21-year veteran of boatracing and has been in the Unlimited series since 2004. One of the sport’s notable “young guns”, J. Michael has won International acclaim for his driving in the United States and in the 2009 UIM World Grand Prix Championships in New Zealand.
Accomplishments include:
· 19 World Speed Records
· 4 National Championships
· 9 highpoint Championships
· 21 American PowerBoat Association Divisional Titles
· 2004 Unlimited Hydroplane Rookie of the Year
Team Owner Ted Porter sees the addition of Kelly to the team as a positive move that keeps the team moving forward. In Ted’s words, “our team has been strong in the past, but the addition of J. Michael will make us consistently formidable front runners at each race”.
J. Michael will be teamed with Jeff Bernard, driver of PPE, LLC’s U-5 Unlimited hydroplane and 2008’s only repeat winner in the ABRA series. Their boats will be prepared for competition by the PPE, LLC Crew, and Crew Chiefs Tom Anderson (U-5) and John Rice, (U-7).
John Rice rejoins Precision Performance Engineering, LLC where he was instrumental in helping the team achieve the 2006 ABRA National Championship. A former Miss Budweiser crew member, U-5 Formulaboats.com Crew Chief and U-10 crew member, Rice becomes the new Crew Chief of the U-7 Unlimited hydroplane. Rice will be a full-time staff member of PPE, LLC residing in Decatur, Indiana.
Both drivers will pilot their hydroplanes in a pre-season test session June 20-21, 2009 at Alum Creek State Park in Ohio.
The ABRA Unlimited Hydroplane racing series begins its season July 3, 2009 in Madison Indiana and includes stops in Detroit, Michigan, Tri-Cities and Seattle Washington, Evansville, Indiana and Doha, Qatar. An exhibition event is also planned for Kelowna, British Columbia.
For additional information on the American Boat Racing Association visit www.abrahydroplanes.com
