STRONG RACING
U-8 BEACON ELECTRIC
STRONG RACING
U-8 BEACON ELECTRIC
J. Michael Kelly will once again pilot the U-8 for the Strong Racing team in 2023, paired with his long-time best friend Corey Peabody, who will drive the U-9. Kelly holds 23 World Records in various classes, has won 13 National Championships, is an 8-time APBA Hall of Champions inductee, a 15-time H1 Unlimited race winner, and APBA Gold Cup winner. He is known as one of the most consistent starters on the circuit, an advantage for the team. Many have compared his starts to the late-great driver, Bill Muncey.
Kelly scored his first H1 Unlimited hydroplane win at the 2009 inaugural U.I.M. World Championship Oryx Cup in Doha, Qatar. With two race wins in 2021 (Guntersville and San Diego), Kelly picked up his first Driver’s High Points Championship. Kelly’s goal is to repeat that feat, as well as winning the U-1 hull number, something he has not yet been able to accomplish. His 20-year career makes him one of the most seasoned drivers on the circuit.
Kelly’s hydroplane for 2023 is the former Ellstrom U-16/96 hull that was new in 2014. The hull was purchased by Darell and Vanessa Strong in the 2020 off-season. Paired with the U-9 Jones Racing hull, the Strong Racing team is poised to add to the win total in what will be a very hotly contested 2023 season.
When not racing, or watching his children race, Kelly is a lead carpenter in the Pacific Northwest. A graduate of Kent Meridian High School in Kent, WA, Kelly lives in Bonney Lake, WA, with his wife Angela and sons Brennen, Carson, and Asher.
- Began racing outboard hydroplanes at 9 years of age
- Grade school classmate of teammate Corey Peabody, driver of the U-9
- 2004 H1 Unlimited Rookie of the Year
- First win was 2009 at the UIM World Championship in Doha, Qatar
- Won his first H1 National High Points Driver Championship in 2021
- Has 15 career wins, including the 2016 Gold Cup. Kelly’s 15 wins put him 14th on the all-time win list, 1 behind legendary Chuck Thompson
- Inducted into the APBA Hall of Champions in 2021 for the 8th time in his career. It was his first such induction for the Unlimited Class
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.
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: Red/White
- Hull Builder: Ellstrom Racing
- Hull Built: 2014
- Engine: T-55/L-7 Turbine
- Team Website: www.strongracing.com
- Only highly knowledgeable and trained electricians are put on the job
- Every electrician works diligently, with utmost attention to detail
- All our work is done to code
- Fine-quality electrical wiring and parts are used
- Our electricians take necessary safety precautions to ensure incident-free jobs
- Customers pay fair and competitive prices
No electrical repair job is too big or too small for our company to handle in Seattle. We deliver expert services that leave you completely satisfied so that you think only of us anytime you need an electrician in Seattle.
Jeff Campbell brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership experience to the Strong racing team for 2023. Highlighted by twelve years with the Miss Budweiser organization, and 9 years as Crew Chief for Jones Racing.
Jeff’s racing career started early at age 14, when he set his first world record in a limited hydroplane and would go on to set 3 records and win the one Liter 1985 National Championship. His first unlimited experience would come helping his brother Mike Campbell work on the Miller American hydroplane team in 1987 which led to other Unlimited teams like the US West Cellular, Frank Kenny Toyota and the 1988 Mr. Pringles Race team prior to joining the Miss Budweiser team in 1992-2004.
In 2011 Jeff joined the Jones Racing team and quickly made the U-9 into a competitive team. In 2018 Jeff led the team to 5 race wins including the Gold Cup and National Championship. Jeff has won the H1 Unlimited Crew chief of the year 3 times during his 9 years at Jones Racing.
SEATTLE, WA
Mike has been involved in boat racing since 1968, initially helping his father who raced in the 145ci. class. He qualified as an inboard driver in 1975 and is a past competition world record holder in the 145ci. class. He started working on Unlimited hydroplanes prior to the 1980 season with Miss Circus Circus and has worked with teams since then. Mike has joined Strong Racing, with “back of boat” duties including prop and rudder inspection and adjustment.
He has won nine National Championships with three different teams, and won eight Gold Cups with four different teams.
Mike is married to his wife Cindy and they have a daughter Courtney
SELKIRK, MB CANADA
Bryan was first introduced to Unlimiteds in 1984 when Steve Woomer’s Tosti Asti team brought their engines to Bryan who helped set up and test them in his role as a T-55 engineer. In 1985 he helped the Miss Budweiser team set up and test the engines and won in the first race he attended. Starting in 1987, he served as engine specialist on teams through the 1990’s and 2000’s. From 2014-2019 Bryan was engine specialist with Ted Porter’s team and the Madison team.
In 2022 he joined Strong Racing as engine specialist for the U-8 Beacon Electric and U-9 Beacon Plumbing.
AUBURN, WA
Jeff has been crewing for son J. Michael since the 2004 season. Jeff was a second-generation racer with a long history in boat racing, beginning in 1981 and ending when J. Michael began in Unlimiteds.
He raced C Hydro, C Runabout and C Mod and held multiple records, most of which are now held by his son.
WESTLAND, MI
Tim was born into racing with his father who has been involved since the 1960’s. In 2015 Tim became owner of the Y-41 Shenanigans 1 liter hydroplane that J. Michael Kelly drives. He began in Unlimited racing in 2022 as radio man and crewman of the U-91.
He is married to wife Shannon, and has a son Alex and daughter Dylan.
PUYALLUP, WA
“Monkey” first got involved in inboard racing in 2008 with 2.5 and 5 liter hydros. He was a crew member for Jones Racing in Unlimiteds 2011-2014 and joined Strong Racing in 2021. He is skid fin specialist on the U-8 Beacon Electric, and is often called on to paint when the boats need some cosmetic attention.
Jason owns the 2.5 liter hydro “Monkey Business”.
DETROIT, MI
Tommy has been crewing in Unlimited hydroplanes for decades and may hold the record for having been on the most teams of anyone in the sport.
He joined the team in 2021 and is responsible for all topside systems.
AUBURN, WA
Jason got involved in Unlimited racing in 2013 when he met his wife and joined the Jones Racing team. He worked on the U-9 for 6 years before the team retired in 2018. He then took 4 years off from racing before being asked by his father-in-law Jeff Campbell to join Strong Racing.
He and wife Kelsey have three children.
Scott Baker is a successful propeller builder and supplies the team with some of the best props in the world.
He has been on the team since 2021 and is responsible for the props, rudder and shafts.
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.
SOUTH LYON, MI
Jim has been involved in the Limited Inboard category since 1989, where he has built and owned several One Litre Modified boats that have won 11 National Championships, set 19 World Records and won multiple Divisional and National titles.
This will be Jim’s first year working in the Unlimited class, supporting the Strong Racing team with electrical systems and data analysis.
Jim is married to wife Jewel.
ISSAQUAH, WA
Travis started racing hydroplanes in 2017 in outboard classes ASH hydro and AXH hydro, following in the footsteps of his dad who raced in various classes in 1960. He first became involved with the Unlimited class in 2019 as a crew member on the U-98 Graham Trucking American Dream.
He is proud father of daughter Desiraie
SEATTLE, WA
Mike has been involved in boat racing since 1968, initially helping his father who raced in the 145ci. class. He qualified as an inboard driver in 1975 and is a past competition world record holder in the 145ci. class. He started working on Unlimited hydroplanes prior to the 1980 season with Miss Circus Circus and has worked with teams since then. Mike has joined Strong Racing, with “back of boat” duties including prop and rudder inspection and adjustment.
He has won nine National Championships with three different teams, and won eight Gold Cups with four different teams.
Mike is married to his wife Cindy and they have a daughter Courtney
SELKIRK, MB CANADA
Bryan was first introduced to Unlimiteds in 1984 when Steve Woomer’s Tosti Asti team brought their engines to Bryan who helped set up and test them in his role as a T-55 engineer. In 1985 he helped the Miss Budweiser team set up and test the engines and won in the first race he attended. Starting in 1987, he served as engine specialist on teams through the 1990’s and 2000’s. From 2014-2019 Bryan was engine specialist with Ted Porter’s team and the Madison team.
In 2022 he joined Strong Racing as engine specialist for the U-8 Beacon Electric and U-9 Beacon Plumbing.
AUBURN, WA
Jeff has been crewing for son J. Michael since the 2004 season. Jeff was a second-generation racer with a long history in boat racing, beginning in 1981 and ending when J. Michael began in Unlimiteds.
He raced C Hydro, C Runabout and C Mod and held multiple records, most of which are now held by his son.
WESTLAND, MI
Tim was born into racing with his father who has been involved since the 1960’s. In 2015 Tim became owner of the Y-41 Shenanigans 1 liter hydroplane that J. Michael Kelly drives. He began in Unlimited racing in 2022 as radio man and crewman of the U-91.
He is married to wife Shannon, and has a son Alex and daughter Dylan.
PUYALLUP, WA
“Monkey” first got involved in inboard racing in 2008 with 2.5 and 5 liter hydros. He was a crew member for Jones Racing in Unlimiteds 2011-2014 and joined Strong Racing in 2021. He is skid fin specialist on the U-8 Beacon Electric, and is often called on to paint when the boats need some cosmetic attention.
Jason owns the 2.5 liter hydro “Monkey Business”.
DETROIT, MI
Tommy has been crewing in Unlimited hydroplanes for decades and may hold the record for having been on the most teams of anyone in the sport.
He joined the team in 2021 and is responsible for all topside systems.
AUBURN, WA
Jason got involved in Unlimited racing in 2013 when he met his wife and joined the Jones Racing team. He worked on the U-9 for 6 years before the team retired in 2018. He then took 4 years off from racing before being asked by his father-in-law Jeff Campbell to join Strong Racing.
He and wife Kelsey have three children.
Scott Baker is a successful propeller builder and supplies the team with some of the best props in the world.
He has been on the team since 2021 and is responsible for the props, rudder and shafts.
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.
ISSAQUAH, WA
Travis started racing hydroplanes in 2017 in outboard classes ASH hydro and AXH hydro, following in the footsteps of his dad who raced in various classes in 1960. He first became involved with the Unlimited class in 2019 as a crew member on the U-98 Graham Trucking American Dream.
He is proud father of daughter Desiraie
SOUTH LYON, MI
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.
This will be Jim’s first year working in the Unlimited class, supporting the Strong Racing team with electrical systems and data analysis.
Jim is married to wife Jewel.
The U-8 was built in 2014 by the Ellstrom Racing Team led by Mike Hanson and carries hull number 2014-96.