Jamie Nilsen transitioned to Unlimited Hydroplane racing after a successful career in Inboard Hydroplanes, where he captured the 2013 5-Liter National Championship and multiple Grand Prix titles.
He made his Unlimited debut in 2010 with Billy Schumacher’s U-37 “Miss Peters & May,” officially qualifying as an Unlimited driver in 2013 aboard the U-21 Go Fast Turn Left Racing entry. In 2014, he earned his first Unlimited heat victory at the Madison Regatta.
In 2025, Nilsen returns to the series driving the U-11 under the banner of Flav-R-Pac, bringing his experience, consistency, and calm command of the course to one of the sport’s most recognized teams.
Nilsen is also a member of the Central Washington University Hall of Fame and holds the highest career batting average in school history (.399). He batted .365 as a freshman, .372 as a sophomore, .391 as a junior, and a school-record.468 as a senior. Over his career, Nilsen posted 61 doubles, 13 triples, 29 home runs and 183 RBI. A two-time GNAC Player of the Year and four-time All-GNAC first-team selection, Nilsen was also named a first-team NCAA Division II All-American in 2008 and earned honorable mention All-American honors in 2006. He signed professionally and played one year in the Kansas City Royals’ minor league system.
- Began racing J-Stock outboard hydroplanes at 12 years of age.
- Has been an APBA National Champion driver 17 times!
- 2013 5-liter inboard hydro National Champion and 2018 Grand Prix North America Hydroplane Champion.
- Inducted into the ABPA Hall of Champions in 2000 and 2002.
- First H1 Unlimited “drive” was 2010 at the Seattle Seafair for Schumacher Racing (Peters and May). Scott Raney was his Crew Chief at the time.
- First qualified as an H1 Unlimited driver in 2013 for Greg O’Farrell and GFTL Racing. Posted his first heat victory in 2014 at Madison, Indiana.
- Jamie had 2 second place finishes (Guntersville, Alabama, and Seattle, Washington) in the U-11 during the 2024 racing season.
- A shortstop on the baseball diamond, Jamie spent time in the Kansas City Royals farm system after graduating from Central Washington University (Ellensburg, WA.).
- Jamie had a career .399 batting average at Central Washington University and is a member of the Central Washington University Hall of Fame. Jamie finished his senior year with a school record .467 batting average.
- Jamie Nilsen has won a race as a driver in every category of closed course APBA boat racing except for Unlimited. J, Stock, Mod, Pro, OPC, Inboard, GP.
NEXT DRIVER VICTORY: It would be Jamie’s first win.
