J. Michael Kelly Leaving Schumacher Racing

JMKJ. Michael Kelly has announced that he is leaving Schumacher Racing.  Kelly has been with the team since 2011 and drove the team’s 37 Miss Beacon Plumbing to fifth place in the 2013 H1 Unlimited Season High Points.

Kelly released a statement saying, “This has been a very difficult decision for myself and family, but I feel that it’s in my best interest to give up my seat behind the wheel of the 37.

“I would like to thank all of my crew who have become very good friends, my sponsors Beacon Plumbing, Degree Men and all of my fans that cheered myself and the 37 team on.

“I know that this team will continue to improve, as the boat showed some very good speeds at times last year. However for me as a driver my family comes first and I feel that this is just not the right fit for us at this time.

“I am truly grateful for the opportunity I have had. I feel extremely fortunate to have been one of the lucky ones to drive an unlimited. I love this sport and always will.”

The 34 year old Kelly began racing at age 7 in a small kneel-down type hydroplane with an outboard motor attached to the transom. He filled the trophy case during his outboard driving career and still holds six world speed records in various outboard classes.

In 2010 Kelly won four outboard national championships – the only driver to accomplish that feat in one season. He is a four-time inductee into the prestigious APBA Hall of Champions.

After an impressive rookie season driving for Jim Harvey Motorsports, Kelly was named H1 Unlimited Rookie of the Year in 2004.

Prior to joining Schumacher Racing in 2011, Kelly had started 45 races driving for Harvey in 2004 and 2005, Dave Bartush’s U-13 Spirit of Detroit  in 2006 and 2008 and Ted Porter’s U-7 Graham Trucking in 2009 and 2010.

Kelly drove Ted Porter’s U-7 Graham Trucking to victory in the inaugural Oryx Cup UIM World Championship in Doha, Qatar in November of 2009.

Kelly added, “If another ride becomes available and I feel that it’s a good fit, you may see me doing what I love again.

“Again thank you to everyone who has supported me and who have cheered me on these last 10 years.”

Published On: October 29th, 2013Categories: Driver News

J. Michael Kelly Leaving Schumacher Racing

JMKJ. Michael Kelly has announced that he is leaving Schumacher Racing.  Kelly has been with the team since 2011 and drove the team’s 37 Miss Beacon Plumbing to fifth place in the 2013 H1 Unlimited Season High Points.

Kelly released a statement saying, “This has been a very difficult decision for myself and family, but I feel that it’s in my best interest to give up my seat behind the wheel of the 37.

“I would like to thank all of my crew who have become very good friends, my sponsors Beacon Plumbing, Degree Men and all of my fans that cheered myself and the 37 team on.

“I know that this team will continue to improve, as the boat showed some very good speeds at times last year. However for me as a driver my family comes first and I feel that this is just not the right fit for us at this time.

“I am truly grateful for the opportunity I have had. I feel extremely fortunate to have been one of the lucky ones to drive an unlimited. I love this sport and always will.”

The 34 year old Kelly began racing at age 7 in a small kneel-down type hydroplane with an outboard motor attached to the transom. He filled the trophy case during his outboard driving career and still holds six world speed records in various outboard classes.

In 2010 Kelly won four outboard national championships – the only driver to accomplish that feat in one season. He is a four-time inductee into the prestigious APBA Hall of Champions.

After an impressive rookie season driving for Jim Harvey Motorsports, Kelly was named H1 Unlimited Rookie of the Year in 2004.

Prior to joining Schumacher Racing in 2011, Kelly had started 45 races driving for Harvey in 2004 and 2005, Dave Bartush’s U-13 Spirit of Detroit  in 2006 and 2008 and Ted Porter’s U-7 Graham Trucking in 2009 and 2010.

Kelly drove Ted Porter’s U-7 Graham Trucking to victory in the inaugural Oryx Cup UIM World Championship in Doha, Qatar in November of 2009.

Kelly added, “If another ride becomes available and I feel that it’s a good fit, you may see me doing what I love again.

“Again thank you to everyone who has supported me and who have cheered me on these last 10 years.”

Published On: October 29th, 2013Categories: Driver News