J. Michael Kelly piloted the U-1 Beacon Electric for the Strong Racing team in 2024, following a standout 2023 season where he earned his second National Championship and his first “U-1” hull designation. Over his impressive career, Kelly has won 2 APBA Gold Cups, 2 H1 Unlimited National Championships, and holds 26 World Records across various classes. He is a 14-time National Champion, a 10-time APBA Hall of Champions inductee, and a 17-time H1 Unlimited race winner.
Kelly captured his first H1 Unlimited hydroplane victory at the 2009 inaugural U.I.M. World Championship Oryx Cup in Doha, Qatar. With two race wins in 2021 (Guntersville and San Diego), he secured his first Driver’s High Points Championship and repeated the feat in 2023 while also clinching the Team National Championship. With a career spanning 21 years, Kelly stands among the most seasoned and accomplished drivers on the circuit.
When not racing, Kelly works as a lead carpenter in the Pacific Northwest. A graduate of Kent Meridian High School in Kent, WA, he lives in Bonney Lake, WA, with his wife Angela and their sons Brennen, Carson, and Asher.
- Began racing outboard hydroplanes at 9 years of age.
- Kelly was named H1 Unlimited Rookie of the Year in 2004.
- Michael Kelly got his first win in 2009 at the UIM World’s Championship in Doha, Qatar.
- Entering the 2025 season, Mike has 17 career H1 Unlimited wins, including the 2016 & 2023 APBA Gold Cups. His 17 career wins place him in a tie for 9th place on the all-time H1 Unlimited win list, with Danny Foster and Billy Schumacher.
- In 2024, Mike won for the 4th time in a row on Seattle’s Lake Washington. Legendary driver Bill Muncey is the only other driver to achieve such a feat having done so in 1977 to 1980 in the “Blue Blaster.”
- Interesting side note: Michael completed the “4-peat” on Lake Washington in boats with 4 different numbers! (The 1, 8, 9, and the 12)
- Mike is a 6-time winner on Seattle’s Lake Washington, having won in 2014, 2015, 2019, 2022, 2023 (APBA Gold Cup), and 2024.
- On Seattle’s Lake Washington win list, Kelly trails only Dave Villwock (10), Bill Muncey (9), and “Chip” Hanauer (7).
- Kelly has set 28 World Records (some remain current) in other classes of race boats, and claimed multiple National Championships.
- Kelly won his first H1 National High Points Driver’s Championship in 2021.
- In 2023, Kelly won both the Team and Driver National Points Championship for owners Darrell and Vanessa Strong. It was the first time Mike had won both.
- JMK has previously driven for owners, Jim Harvey, Dave Bartush, Ted Porter, Rob Graham, and Schumacher Racing.
- In 2022, Kelly and son, Carson, were inducted into the APBA Hall of Champions. It was the first time a father and son were inducted together by the APBA since 1974. At the time, it was J. Michael Kelly’s 9th such induction.
- Michael Kelly and son, Carson, were again inducted to the APBA Hall of Champions in 2023 (JMK’s 10th such induction).
- In 2024, Mike was inducted to the ABPA Hall of Champions for the 11th
- JMK is a grade school classmate of teammate, Corey Peabody, driver of U-9. The two were neighbors growing up.
- JMK’s favorite unlimited hydroplane of all time is the Bubble Budweiser.
NEXT DRIVER VICTORY: Kelly’s next H1 victory (18th) will tie him with Steven David for 8th place on the all-time H1 Unlimited win list.
