STRONG RACING
U-9 BEACON PLUMBING
STRONG RACING
U-9 BEACON PLUMBING
Peabody started racing outboard hydroplanes alongside teammate J. Michael Kelly in 1998. Corey became a qualified H1 Unlimited hydroplane driver in 2016, and since then has driven for three different teams.
Peabody joined Strong Racing in 2021 and scored his first career Unlimited win at that season’s HAPO Columbia Cup, in the hometown of owners Darrell and Vanessa Strong. In a thrilling victory at the 2022 Guntersville Lake Hydrofest, he won the prestigious APBA Gold Cup. He was the only driver to post podium finishes in every race of the 2021 season, and won all but one heat he entered during the 2023 season.
The 2024 season saw Corey grab wins in Tri-Cities and the APBA Gold Cup in San Diego – his second Gold Cup victory.
As part of a team reorganization in late 2022, Peabody also assumed the responsibilities of Team General Manager.
Darrell & Venessa Strong were sponsors for 8 years prior to purchasing two of the fastest boats on the circuit from Ellstrom Racing (U-8) and Jones Racing (U-9) and assembling his own team in late 2020. The team won its first race in Guntersville and went on to win 3 out of 4 races in the 2021 season, giving J. Michael Kelly the Driver’s High Point Championship in the process.
The 2023 season conclusion brought their first “U-1” designation after J. Michel Kelly beat out teammate Corey Peabody for the Championship at the APBA Gold Cup in Seattle.
Professionally, Darrell has been a consulting broker specializing in employee benefits since 1985 and is among the top licensed agents in the Northwest – in the top 5% in Washington and #1 with PayneWest Insurance.
As the leader of Select Benefit Systems and a leader in the industry, he has developed trusts in two niche markets and serves on the Broker Advisory Board for Premera. Darrell consults with clients to help design and develop innovative benefit plans.
- Home Port: Auburn, WA
- Team Founded: 2020
- Boat Colors: White/Blue
- Builder: Ron Jones, Jr.
- Hull Built: 1992
- Length: 29’2″
- Width: 14′ 4″
- Weight: 6900 lbs
- Engine: T-55/L-7 Turbine
- Team Website: www.strongracing.com
When you need a Seattle Plumbing Company no one beats Beacon Plumbing. Started in 1999, Beacon has become Seattle’s Best Plumber. We’re your trusted source for Seattle plumbing services. Our expert will quickly assess and resolve your water, drain and sewer problems. We understand your budget for plumbing services may be tight and we are an affordable plumber. Each licensed plumbing technician that we have on staff is just a phone call away!
From residential to commercial plumbing, we offer fast response, skilled work and affordable plumbing service. We’re available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Every plumber on staff is available when you need immediate help. We are a locally owned & operated family business with 65 full time employees. Our plumbers live right in your own neighborhood. For your convenience, we offer same day service and quick access. You can instantly speak with a local Seattle plumbing expert. Looking for a Tacoma plumber? We’ve got plumbers near you throughout the Puget Sound.
Jim has been involved in the Limited Inboard category since 1989, where he has built and owned several 1 Liter Modified boats that have won 11 National Championships, set 19 World Records and won multiple Divisional and National titles.
He has been working with Strong Racing team since 2023 as the electrical systems and data analysis specialist.
Jim is married to wife Jewel.
SEATTLE, WA
Ken’s primary responsibility on race weekends is propellers and boat set up. Ken began unlimited racing in 2000 with Harvey Motorsports where he learned computer tech, skid fin, wing, rudder, and prop duties. He helped build their new hull in 2003, then raced with Leland Racing in 2006-07.
Ken returned to racing in 2015 for Team Porter Racing and migrated to Graham Trucking Racing through 2019.
When he is not racing Ken spends time with soccer, fishing and camping with his wife Christine and sons Aiden and Ryan.
PORTLAND, OR
Bill has been a fan of the Unlimiteds since childhood and has been active in direct support of the sport since 1998. He has worked on websites, race reporting and has been crewing on a race team since 2006. He previously crewed on Bill Wurster’s U-8, Billy Schumacher’s U-37, Ted Porter’s U-5 and U-7, Graham Trucking’s U-12, the U-11 as a sponsor in 2022 and now Strong Racing’s U-8 & U-9 teams.
Bill has been married to wife Dee for 46 years, has 3 children, and 7 grandchildren
ENUMCLAW, WA
Brian got his start in boat racing working on the U-31 Circus Circus in 1989. Since then he has been a crew member with Jones Racing and Graham Trucking. He moved back to the U-9 team when Strong Racing acquired the boat in 2020. His duties include general mechanical adjustments and hull repair.
Brian is married to U-9 teammate Desi and they have two daughters, Caroline and Julia.
ENUMCLAW, WA
Desi first got involved in boat racing in 2014, working on Jones Racing’s U-9, and stayed with the boat when Strong Racing acquired it in 2020. She is in charge of fueling and general support.
Desi is married to U-9 teammate Brian and they have two daughters, Caroline and Julia.
SEATTLE, WA
Ken’s primary responsibility on race weekends is propellers and boat set up. Ken began unlimited racing in 2000 with Harvey Motorsports where he learned computer tech, skid fin, wing, rudder, and prop duties. He helped build their new hull in 2003, then raced with Leland Racing in 2006-07.
Ken returned to racing in 2015 for Team Porter Racing and migrated to Graham Trucking Racing through 2019.
When he is not racing Ken spends time with soccer, fishing and camping with his wife Christine and sons Aiden and Ryan.
PORTLAND, OR
Bill has been a fan of the Unlimiteds since childhood and has been active in direct support of the sport since 1998. He has worked on websites, race reporting and has been crewing on a race team since 2006. He previously crewed on the U-8, U-37, U-5, U-7, U-12 and was a sponsor of the U-11 in 2022.
Bill has been married to wife Dee for 46 years, has 3 children, and 7 grandchildren
ENUMCLAW, WA
Brian got his start in boat racing working on the U-31 Circus Circus in 1989. Since then he has been a crew member with Jones Racing and Graham Trucking. He moved back to the U-9 team when Strong Racing acquired the boat in 2020. His duties include general mechanical adjustments and hull repair.
Brian is married to U-9 teammate Desi and they have two daughters, Caroline and Julia.
ENUMCLAW, WA
Desi first got involved in boat racing in 2014, working on Jones Racing’s U-9, and stayed with the boat when Strong Racing acquired it in 2020. She is in charge of fueling and general support.
Desi is married to U-9 teammate Brian and they have two daughters, Caroline and Julia.
The U-9 is by far the oldest hull in the fleet, being built in 1992 by Jones Racing. It has won dozens of races in the hands of some of the sport’s top drivers and has gathered three Gold Cup wins, by Mike Hanson in 2001, Andrew Tate in 2017 and Corey Peabody in 2022.
It has been flipped multiple times, the latest being in Madison in 2022. It was almost completely rebuilt for the 2023 season. It carries hull number 1992-102.5.