Bernard, born in Allen Park, Michigan, and now living in Kent, Washington, is a fourth-generation racer who began racing powerboats in 1993 at the age of nine. In 2002, at the age of 17, he advanced to inboard hydroplane racing. He is still actively racing in the inboard category and has raced Grand Prix boats during his two-year hiatus from driving an Unlimited.
In 2012, 2015, 2017 and 2018, Bernard was inducted into the APBA Hall of Champions. He is the nephew of former hydroplane drivers Mark and Mike Weber.
Bernard’s first Unlimited Hydroplane ride was in 2005 in Fred Leland’s U-99 Lakeridge Paving at the Seattle Seafair Race. Since then, he has accumulated 3 H1 Unlimited race victories.
- Jeff was born in Allen Park, Michigan.
- Jeff began racing powerboats in 1993 at the age of nine.
- In 2002, at the age of 17, he advanced to inboard hydroplane racing.
- Inducted into the APBA Hall of Champions 4 times – 2012, 2015, 2017, and 2018.
- Jeff is a 4th generation boat racer. He is the nephew of Mike and Mark Weber of Detroit, Michigan.
- Jeff’s first unlimited ride was in Seattle in 2005 driving Fred Leland’s U-99.
- Jeff has three (3) H1 Unlimited career wins.
- Interesting note: All three (3) of Jeff’s wins were in this same boat (T-6) and with Tom Anderson as Crew Chief.
- Jeff last drove an unlimited in 2022 when he piloted the Goodman Real Estate entry for Miss Madison Racing.
- Jeff has won 20 National Championships, 16 Regional Championships, 3 Grand Prix American Championships, 2 World Championships, and set many World Speed Records.
- When asked if it ever gets old, he responded, “Not when you’re winning!”
- Jeff is an aircraft structures mechanic at the Boeing Company.
- Initial plans for 2025 call for the team to race only in West Coast events (Tri-Cities and Seattle)
NEXT DRIVER VICTORY: Jeff’s next H1 Unlimited win (4th) will tie him for 40th place on the all-time win list with Fred Alter, Mike Hanson, Mitch Evans, and J. W. Whitlock (from the 1920’s).