Our Team

Michael Hanson has a long history as a hydroplane racer, crew chief and builder. He first qualified as an unlimited class driver in 1986 driving Fred Leland’s U-100. He moved to Ritchie Sutphen’s U-66 Sutphen Spirit in 1988, but when the team disbanded mid-season due to a crash, he became available to drive for Miss Madison Racing. Michael was with Miss Madison as driver from that time until 1998. He had one win driving Miss Madison at San Diego in 1993. In unprecedented fashion, Michael drove from trailer position at the start of the race to take the win. He collected 3 additional unlimited victories. As back-up driver for an injured Chip Hanauer, he drove Miss Budweiser to victory at the 1994 Texas Hydrofest. After moving to Jones Racing in 1999, he won the 2001 APBA Gold Cup on the Detroit River and the 2002 Bill Muncey Cup in San Diego.

After a request from then Miss Madison, Inc. Chairman, Bob Hughes, Michael returned to Miss Madison Racing in 2004 as Crew Chief. With the Oberto sponsorship and a new Miss Madison hull in 2007, he led the team to numerous victories and 4 National Championships before his departure following the 2013 season. In 2018, Michael along with his brother, Larry, led the completion of building the team’s new racing hull introduced in Tri-Cities, WA in August of that year. Michael returned as Crew Chief in 2019, adding National Championships in 2019, 2021 and 2022. He continues to lead the Miss Madison team as Crew Chief for both the U-1 Miss HomeStreet and U-91 Miss Goodman Real Estate.

Michael lives in Bonney Lake, WA with his wife, Tonya. They have two grown children, Trevor and Aubrey, who have worked alongside their Dad on hydroplane crews throughout the years.

Charlie Grooms has been with the Miss Madison Racing Team for over 40 years.

He started washing parts when his uncle, Jon Peddie, was named the team’s driver in 1977. Over the years, he graduated through the ranks to become Crew Chief. Currently, Grooms is the President, Team Manager and Owners' Representative. He oversees all aspects of the team including: sponsorships, logistics, budgeting, personnel and other administrative duties.

When not racing, Charlie and wife Nancy reside in Madison, Indiana and manage The Bottle Shop. Nancy along with their daughters, Codi, Cati, and Cortni manage the Miss Madison team merchandise sales.

Dylan Runne will become the 24th driver in Miss Madison Racing history as he takes over the cockpit of the U-1 Miss HomeStreet in 2023. The 2017 Hydroplane Racing League Rookie of the Year is a multi-time National Champion across varying American and Canadian hydroplane racing categories. He has competed in Inboard, Formula 1 Tunnel Boat and Stock Outboard categories for over 20 years. and was the first in HRL history to win 3 consecutive championships in three separate classes.

Dylan’s first opportunity to drive an Unlimited hydroplane came at the 2022 HomeStreet Bank San Diego Bayfair. He took Miss Madison Racing’s U-91 Miss Goodman Real Estate out on the Bill Muncey Race Course on Mission Bay during the Saturday morning test session turning 8 laps, all at 138+ mph with a fastest lap of 156.857 mph.

Dylan is a third generation boat racer from Rumson, NJ. Professionally, he is the CEO of Fenom Digital, a full-service Digital Transformation Agency focused on supporting eCommerce Systems for large retail businesses.

Andrew Tate is the 23rd driver for Miss Madison Racing piloting the U-91 Miss Goodman Real Estate (2007 hull) in 2023.

Coming from a multi-generational boat racing family, Andrew began driving at age 11 in APBA Stock and Modified Outboard classes collecting multiple National Championships. In 2006, he moved to Inboard Classes winning over 100 races in American Powerboat Association or Hydroplane Racing League (HRL) events in Grand Prix and H350 classes. Andrew captured the 2022 HRL Grand Prix Season Championship driving the GP-777 Steeler to 6 race victories for owner, Huey Newport. He also collected 2 HRL H350 class race wins in 2022.

Andrew’s first ride in an Unlimited hydroplane came in 2016 driving the U-9 Delta/Realtrac for Mike and Lori Jones. It did not take him long to pick up his first Unlimited class victory at the 2016 Seattle Seafair Cup. He was named the H1 Unlimited 2016 Rookie of the Year.

Andrew has 9 race wins in the Unlimited class including an APBA Gold Cup victory in 2018 putting his name on the oldest trophy in motorsports along with his father, Mark Tate. He claimed the 2018 H1 Unlimited National Driver Championship and has been inducted into the APBA Hall of Champions 3 times. He is an Infrastructure Engineer with Sun Coating Company in Plymouth, Michigan.

Donny Allen is a third generation racer. He began in the J hydro class in 1996 and has raced Outboards every year since. In 2016, he began racing in APBA and HRL hydroplanes, primarily H350 and also some Grand Prix hydros.

Donny has been inducted into the American Power Boat Association Hall of Champions 4 times in the Stock Outboard class and 1 time in Inboard.

When not racing, Donny is a 6th & 7th Grade Science Teacher. He lives in Neenah, WI with his wife, Angela, and their daughters, Evelyn and Mabel.

Tony Basile has been a fan of Unlimited hydroplane racing since he was a child. Growing up, he did not have much access to race coverage or opportunities to see race events in person.

It has been a dream come true for Tony to be a part of Miss Madison Racing as a crew member on the U-91 Miss Goodman Real Estate. He is a Consultant Engineer at Windspeed Technologies LLC. Tony and his wife, Erica, live in Lynnwood, WA with their daughters, Emersyn and Delaney.

Pat Berryman started racing in the 280 class limited hydro in 1967. He got involved in the unlimited class in 1992 and over the years has had the honor of working on many unlimited teams. Pat is proud to be working with the Miss Madison team, as he has known and raced alongside the Madison crew for years.

Kevin Davis joins Miss Madison Racing as a truck driver in 2022. He is a Madison, IN native and currently lives in Lagrange KY. Kevin is an Air Force veteran, serving 8 years before receiving a medical retirement. He was a truck driver for 12 years and now runs his own Handyman Service in Louisville, KY.

In addition to his role as a truck driver, Kevin pitches in wherever he can lend a hand. He assists with fueling to boat, wing, skid fin and on deck as needed. He also helps out with VIP pit tours for the U-91 Miss Goodman Real Estate.

Kevin and his wife, Megan have 3 children, Ava, Zayne and Parker.

Paul Floyd joined Miss Madison Racing in 2019 as a member of the U-1918 Oberto Specialty Meats crew. He is currently working on the deck of the U-1 Miss HomeStreet as a Turbine Engine Technician.

Paul retired from Bennett Industries in Tacoma, WA after 42 years working as a machinist, estimator and job planner. He began volunteering at the Hydroplane & Raceboat Museum in Kent, WA. He was a part of the restoration team for the 1973 Pay 'N Pak "Winged Wonder" and the Tahoe Miss. His unlimited hydroplane experience also includes working with the Ellstrom Racing Team starting in 2015.

Paul lives in Tumwater, WA and has 5 children and 12 grandchildren.

Pat Furnish is Snake to most everyone who knows him. He has been a volunteer with the Miss Madison team since 1985. Pat helps with many tasks at the shops in Madison, Indiana and Tukwila, WA as well as at the race sites.

Snake loves riding motorcycles and golfing when he gets the chance. His Shi tzu, Chester, is his best friend and he enjoys being a grandpa.

Jim Geblein was introduced to hydroplane racing at a very young age. He began following the sport in the early 1990s when his father crewed for the GP-2 Pleasure Seekers Grand Prix hydroplane driven by Jim’s godfather, Jimmy King. He gained a lot of knowledge and love for the sport as a young boy.

Years later, Jim was reintroduced to boat racing as a crew member for Jimmy King’s son, Bobby, when he began racing the S-242 Crush Racing hydroplane. Jim spent many racing seasons alongside Bobby, building his own skills as a crew member and spotter.

At the 2015 Valleyfield Regatta in Quebec, Jim was asked to spot for Andrew Tate in the GP-101, Fat Chance Too and a partnership began. Since 2015, Andrew and Jim have accomplished many of the objectives they set together. Through hard work and perseverance, Jim was a part of Andrew’s wins including the prestigious APBA Gold Cup in 2018, 2018 H1 Unlimited Championship, 2022 Grand Prix Valleyfield Regatta, 2022 HRL Grand Prix Championship and many others.

Jim’s says, “These accomplishments made us who we are today as competitors and teammates. We continue to work together beside our crew members to do what we love and have a passion for”. He looks forward to another season of boat racing, and his first season with the U-91 Miss Goodman Real Estate.

A retired NASA senior scientist, Gilbert is the team's Technical Performance Engineer and is in charge of the team’s computer systems, electrical and radios.

While at NASA, Gilbert worked on the onboard computers on the Apollo missions. He worked on the computers on the Command Module and later on the Lunar Module guidance computer. He also worked on Skylab and before retiring worked on the data processing system in Mission Control that monitored the Shuttle’s flight (trajectory, energy management and system telemetry). His NASA experiences are a great value to the Miss Madison Racing Team. Prior to joining the Miss Madison crew, Gilbert raced with U-25 SUPERIOR RACING, U-9 JONES RACING, U-1 MISS BUDWEISER, U-100 LELAND UNLIMITED. As an avid runner, Jimmy, reached the milestone of running 100,000 miles.

He and his wife Sue live in Houston. They have one daughter, Laura, and two grandchildren, Rhett and Madeleine.

Kirk has been a volunteer for Miss Madison Racing off and on since the 1970's when his uncle, Jon Peddie, was the team's driver. Kirk helps with many tasks at the shop in Madison as well as at the race sites. When not racing, Kirk enjoys boating on the Ohio River and spending time with family. He and his wife Jennifer reside in Madison, IN. They have 5 children, Mackenzie, Nash, Jessica, Jordan and Jake. They also have 2 grandchildren, Collynns and Asher.

Brian Hajny has been involved in boat racing since he was a child. His parents had Inboard hydroplanes while he growing up. After taking a break from racing, he got back to it in 2006 with the help of Mike and Lori Jones. Brian has multiple championships in the Inboard category.

His start in the Unlimited category was again with Jones Racing as a crew member. Brian has been involved with several H1 Unlimited teams as a crew member and Crew Chief as well as working directly with H1 Unlimited as a referee and Chief Referee for the past 16 years.

Brian is a Project Manager and lives with his wife and children in Orting, WA.

Aubree Hanson has been involved in boat racing her entire life as her father, Mike Hanson, is a former hydroplane driver and current crew chief. After several years completing her education and beginning her career as a school psychologist, 2022 is the first season she has been able to return to a race crew. She is excited to be back. Aubree is responsible for preparing the cockpit and safety systems on the U-91 Miss Goodman Real Estate hydroplane.

After living in Kentucky, then Ohio for college and her first 4 years working as a school psychologist, Aubree is returning to the Pacific Northwest as School Psychologist with Sumner Bonney Lake School District. She works with preschool and elementary age children to identify learning disabilities, create plans to help students succeed and help promote social emotional learning.

Aubree holds a Bachelors Degree in Psychology from the University of Kentucky, a Masters Degree in Education and an Educational Specialist Degree from Miami University along with a second Masters Degree in Forensic Psychology from Grand Canyon University.

Trevor Hanson was born into hydroplane racing. Early in life, he lived in Madison, Indiana while his father, Mike Hanson, was driver for Miss Madison Racing. After Mike returned to Miss Madison Racing as Crew Chief in 2001, Trevor worked as a member of the crew with his Dad through 2013. Trevor moved to the Ellstrom Racing crew from 2014 to 2017. He was back with Miss Madison Racing for the 2019 season and was with Strong Racing for the 2021-22 seasons. In 2023, he once again, brings his knowledge and talent back to Miss Madison Racing.

Trevor works for Boeing Aircraft Corporation in Seattle. He has had the opportunity to witness his father, Michael, win the coveted APBA Gold Cup as an unlimited driver for Jones Racing in 2001 and to then win the APBA Gold Cup alongside his Dad as Miss Madison teammates in 2019.

Troy Holmberg began working on an unlimited hydroplane crew with Jim Harvey Motorsports. He worked with noted hydroplane designer Ron Jones, Jr. Troy was a member of Steve Woomer's Winston-Eagle then Smokin' Joes crew. After Woomer's untimely passing and the dissolution of the racing team, Troy took a break from working directly with an unlimited hydroplane crew. He continued to work on turbine engines for both hydroplanes and aircraft .

In 2009 he returned to unlimited hydroplane racing with the Ellstrom Racing team where he first worked with Michael Hanson. In 2019, Michael asked Troy to assist with the Miss HomeStreet at the west coast races and in 2022, Troy took on a larger role as Crew Chief of the U-91 Miss Goodman Real Estate.

Troy lives in Seattle, WA and has a daughter, Bryn.

Trey joined the Miss HomeStreet crew in 2017 working in the race shops in Madison, IN and Tukwila, WA. Traveling with the team to the test sessions and race sites, his primary responsibilities are on the deck working on gearboxes and engines.

Trey was introduced to boat racing by his father, Rob Holt, who is a founding member of 5 to the 5 Vintage Hydros, Inc. which is now the National Boat Racing Heritage Center in Madison, IN. Trey is an active part of this effort to bring a museum to Madison. He currently owns a vintage hydroplane, the E-322 Natural High.

Mark Hooton has been around the sport for many years as a fan, photographer and crew member. He joined Jim Harvey Motorsports as a crew member on the U-2 at the Norfolk, VA race in 1997. In 2006, he moved to PPE, LLC Racing as a crew member on the National Champion U-7. From 2008 to 2011 he served as Team Manager for PPE, LLC Racing managing the 2, then 3 boat team and leading the team to 5 races wins including 2 U.I.M. World Championships. In 2012, Mark joined the Miss Madison Racing Team as Marketing & Sponsor Engagement Manager focusing on sponsor development and marketing opportunities.

Mark is Program Purchasing Manager for the Corvette, Performance BEV’s and TREMEC Transmissions Program Teams with General Motors. His favorite Miss Madison racing moment is the 2022 Miss Madison team hydroplanes finishing 1st and 2nd at the hometown Madison Regatta Indiana Governor's Cup race. He is excited to be part of an iconic team in the sport of unlimited hydroplane racing.

Julie Hooton is the Miss Madison Racing photographer. She manages the team’s social media and is website administrator. She is also responsible for set-up of the crew area in the pits and procuring supplies needed for supporting the crew during race weekends.

Along with her husband Mark, Julie was a member of the PPE, LLC Racing U5-U7-U57 crew from 2006 to 2011 prior to joining Miss Madison Racing in 2012. Mark and Julie's family includes their son, Lee, daughter-in-law, Samantha and grandson, Russell George.

Julie's favorite Miss Madison racing memory is being part of the 2021 APBA Gold Cup win at Madison Regatta on the 60th anniversary of Miss Madison’s historic 1971 Gold Cup victory.

Mike began racing as a crew member on various Huey Newport Grand Prix teams. In 2003, he joined Kim Gregory’s USA Racing Partners unlimited hydroplane crew. Since that time he has worked with unlimited owners Dave Bartush, Nate Brown and Charley Wiggins. He began as a skid fin and rear wing specialist before moving to work on propellers. Mike joined Miss Madison Racing in 2019 as propeller specialist.

When he is not racing, Mike enjoys playing hockey and training dogs with his fiancée Megan and her daughters, Sam and Sydney.

J. Michael Noonan grew up in a family of boat racing officials. His Mother and Dad were the driving force behind the boat club in Louisville that conducted the annual Marine Derby Regatta from the late 1940’s to the mid-1970’s. Mike’s connection with Madison and the Regatta go all the way back to 1950 when he came as an infant with his parents who were working as officials at Regatta. He has not missed a Madison Regatta since.

Mike was on the Judges’ Stand as a timer for the 1971 Gold Cup. He was Assistant Referee for the 1979 Gold Cup in Madison and that began a 40 year tenure as an official for the sport, including almost 30 years as Chief Referee. Mike also served as Competition Director, Tech and Safety Director and Inspector.

Mike is a retired Electrical Engineer (BSEE) after 46 years with Square D and Schneider Electric. He worked in engineering design and testing, sales and marketing and product training. Mike lives in Nicholasville, KY with his wife, Joyce (Skeeter) Noonan. They have a grown son and three grandchildren.

Sandy Pearl grew up in the Seward Park neighborhood of Seattle and has been a hydroplane fan since early childhood. Sandy started working on unlimited hydroplanes in 1991 when he joined Al Thoreson's Thor Racing Team at the Pearl Harbor, HI race. He was a member of Ken Muscatel's U-25 Superior Racing and has worked for various teams including Billy Schumacher's 88 Degree Men/U-37 Beacon Plumbing and Greg O'Farrell's Go Fast Turn Left. In 2015, he joined Ted Porter's Precision Performance Engineering, U-5/U-7 Race Team and won his first Gold Cup in 2016. Sandy joined Strong Racing in 2021, working on the U-9 and won his second Gold Cup in 2022.

Sandy is a retired Boeing Engineer and lives with his wife Cory in Lake Tapps, Washington.

Cindy is a long time Miss Madison crew member. In 2018, she served as Crew Chief, but due to increasing work obligations, she stepped back from that role. She is currently responsible for the cockpit and driver safety systems as well as communicating with the driver as he leaves and returns to the dock. Cindy is a boating enthusiast and competitive in nature. Being part of the race team gives her an outlet for that competitive spirit.

When she is not racing, Cindy is the Director of the Office of Sponsored Research at the University of Washington Bothell. Her favorite memories with the team include the 1st win in Seattle. “Everyone was high-fiving and hugging all the way from the start/finish line to the pits,” she recalled. Her 1st win as Crew Chief at the 2018 Madison Regatta in front of the hometown crowd was very special.

James joined the Madison Regatta Committee in 2018 to work on Pit Operations with his uncle. While working at Regatta, he heard that Miss Madison Racing might be in need of a truck driver for the last race of the season. James is now a truck driver for the racing team. At race sites, he assists with pit set-up and in any area where he can be of help. In addition to driving the truck and trailer, on the road he is an ambassador for the team and unlimited hydroplane racing. He talks with fellow travelers and hands out team autograph cards.

James drives trucks professionally.

Matt first joined the Miss Madison Racing Team in 1995 and after a stint working with U9 Jones Racing, he returned to the Miss HomeStreet crew in 2016. Matt's primary responsibility on race weekends is propellers. His favorite racing moment occurred in Detroit in 2011 as the crew worked to ready the U9 back-up hull to run as Oh Boy! Oberto Miss Madison in just a few hours. The boat qualified at 150 mph.

Matt enjoys spending time with his three sons,, Nathan, Claytin, and Jackson. He also enjoys representing the City of Madison around the country.

Since Miss Madison's 1971 Atomic Cup win, Gary Spanner has been a volunteer crew member with the Miss Madison Racing Team. He started with supercharged Allison engines and today he works mostly on the team’s turbine engines and gearboxes, although over the years he has handled propellers, sponsons, fuel, ropes and other components.

Gary still keeps his Mercury Hurricane with Quickie lower unit from his high school racing days ready in his garage in case he finds the right hull for it someday. When not racing, he crews for a team of vintage Indy cars, consults for small businesses, performs a variety of volunteer work and generally “messes about in boats.” He is also actively searching for the '72 Miss Madison hull to restore it with some other crew members and fans. He lives with his wife Cody in Pasco and Seattle, Washington.

Chris Sparks was introduced to boat racing in 2008 when he attended his first race at Lawrence Lake in Yelm, WA. He met Brian Hajny, who at the time, was racing a 2.5 stock Hydroplane. Chris, also known as Sparky, was invited to Hajny’s shop and took an interest in the boat racing world.

In 2009, Brian Hajny teamed up with Mike Hofhine in his 2.5 stock, the S-12. Chris became part of the crew and soon found out what boat racing was all about. “It’s a lot of work, but man it sure is rewarding,”says Chris. Hajny’s S-12 joined forces with Jeff Bernard and Kip Brown and their E-55 hydro creating a 2 boat team.

Chris crewed on several High Points Championship teams including Jeff Bernard's E-55 in 2009, 11-12 and Mike Hofhine and Brian Hajny’s 2.5 stock S-12 in 2010 and 2012. In 2015, Chris was part of Jim Harvey and J. Michael Kelly's team that won a National High Points Championship in the 5 Liter class that year.

In 2019, Chris entered the H1 Unlimited class when he joined Rob Graham Racing as a crew member for Corey Peabody in the U-98 American Dream and J. Michael Kelly in the U-12 Graham Trucking. Chris moved to Strong Racing in 2021.

In 2023, Chris joins Miss Madison Racing as a U-1 Miss HomeStreet crew member. He lives in Eatonville, WA, has 2 children, Ricky and Shay and a granddaughter Angel.

Kevin Stoltz joined Miss Madison Racing in 2022 to work on Electrical and Computer systems on the U-91 Miss Goodman Real Estate. He has been fascinated with unlimited hydroplanes since first seeing them from the shores of Lake Washington in Seattle while attending the University of Washington. Several years later he decided to contact one of the teams and got in touch with Roger Newton, the Crew Chief for Dr. Ken Muscatel’s U-25 team. Roger told him to stop on by, ‘We might put you to work’. Kevin did just that and his involvement with unlimited hydroplane racing began in 2000. He went on to work with U5/U-7 Porter Racing, and Rob Graham’s U-12 Graham Trucking crew.

Kevin holds an Engineering Degree in Aeronautics and Astronautics from University of Washington. He worked for Boeing Commercial Airplanes as a Maintenance Manual Engineer (Flight Controls) and as a Noise Staff Engineer. He then worked for Boeing Computer Services as a Systems Analyst. After leaving Boeing a few decades ago, Kevin wrote several computer networking books and co-founded a computer networking company where he currently works as a Network Systems Engineer.

Kevin lives with his wife Dana in Mukilteo, WA and they have two children, Zak and Kate.