11

Peters & May

Driver Profile: Tom Thompson

It only took Tom Thompson -  one of the winningest drivers in APBA Inboard classes in the last three decades – 27 years to make his way to the cockpit of an Unlimited Hydroplane. 

With the sport having a definite lean to the West and most of the new drivers coming from the Pacific Northwest, the accomplishments of the veteran driver from Cambridge, Maryland were somewhat overlooked until mid-way through the 2012 season when Scott and Shannon Raney, owners of the Unlimited Racing Group, brought the three-time inductee into the APBA Hall of Champions out West to sub for JW Myers who had been injured in a blow-over accident at the 2013 Detroit APBA Gold Cup in the 11 Peters and May.

Thompson is known as one of the most versatile drivers in the Inboard Categories, successfully driving boats of every hull design; hydroplane, flat-bottom and Jersey Speed Skiff.  As a part of the Thompson and Thompson team he joined his late father Tommy Thompson in winning seven consecutive National Championships with their Jersey Speed Skiff, The Gambler.

In 2009, Thompson dominated the 2.5 Litre modified hydroplane class, setting two World Records and winning the Eastern and Western Divisional, Summer National and the National High Point Championships.

Tom’s long career and experience served him well and translated quickly to the turbine powered Unlimited class. Things went smoothly until Heat 2A of the Oryx Cup UIM World Championship in February in Doha, Qatar.

In a tightly bunched first turn, Miss Peters and May contacted Brian Perkins in the 21 Snoqualmie Casino.  Thompson’s boat became airborne and went over Perkins, landing sideways with a devastating impact in the salt water of Doha Bay.  The boat was badly damaged and Thompson was hospitalized with an injured left arm.

Despite a tough start to the 2013 season, Tom Thompson looks forward to spending the circuit in the URG’s brightly colored 11 Peters and May.

Tom’s wife Chrissy and daughter Savana travel the circuit with him.  They live in Cambridge, Maryland.

Team Profile: Unlimited Racing Group

Scott Raney, twenty-three year veteran of Unlimited Hydroplane Racing,  formed his own H1 Unlimited Race team in 2011 along with wife Shannon .

After breaking into hydroplane racing sweeping floors and doing odd jobs for Bill Wurster’s U-8 team, then moving up to crew member and finally Crew Chief, Scott Raney has notched multiple victories in the Unlimited ranks, most recently for Billy & Jane Schumacher on the U-37 team.

The U-11 will again carry Peters & May sponsorship for 2012 and having the backing of the premier international boat transport company will contribute to what the team feels will be a great second season.

Dave Holley, CEO of Peters & May, has seen a real opportunity to become part of something special. “We were fortunate to work with the majority of the crew in our first active season in the sport and we were impressed with their dedication and skill. The plans that URG has for this team are on a level that the series has never seen. They are going to offer their fans and sponsors an experience that is unparalleled in the sport and we simply could not miss out on such an opportunity. We are confident that their business plan will lead them to become a winning team with strong finances and a large fan base. They are here for the long haul and so are we!”

 

Behind

The Roostertail

  • Follow the Team:
  • Boat Name: Miss Peters & May
  • Team Website: http://www.u11racing.com
  • Owner: Unlimited Racing Group
  • Founded: 2011
  • Home Port: Edmonds, WA
  • Driver: Tom Thompson
  • Driver Rookie Year: 2012
  • Boat Colors: Chartreuse/Blue
  • Primary Sponsor: Peters & May
  • Associate Sponsors: Acura of Bellevue - Stevenson Roofing - Central Welding - West Coast Collision Center - J&D Hydraulics - King Marine Canvas - Renton Coil Spring - Easy Click
  • Builder: Ron Jones, Jr.
  • Designer: Ron Jones, Jr.
  • Engine Builder: Unlimited Racing Group
  • Crew Chief: Scott Raney
  • Crew:

    Sam Houghtaling
    Bruce Haskin
    Randy Roe
    PK Kiser
    Shaun Lacoursiere
    Branden Ringoen
    Todd Tamayao
    Ken Knudsen
    Mike Parker
    Aaron Salmon
    David Bender
    Marc Sandoval
    Lee Langley

  • Team Manager: Shannon Raney
  • Public Relations: Shannon Raney
  • Length: 28'-8"
  • Width: 14' 6"
  • Engine: Lycoming T-55/L-7 Turbine
  • 2012 Boat Points: 4533
  • 2012 Driver Points: 4533
  • 2012 Season Finish: 7th