H1 Champ Shane to Drive Oh Boy! Oberto Hydroplane

Defending H1 Unlimited champion Jimmy Shane has been hired to take over driving duties for the Miss Madison Racing Team’s Oh Boy! Oberto boat after legendary racer Steve David retired at the end of the 2013 season. Photo courtesy H1 Unlimited

After earning the 2013 H1 Unlimited national championship in the Graham Trucking hydroplane owned by Ted Porter and the Precision Performance team, driver Jimmy Shane was announced as the new driver of the Miss Madison Racing Team‘s Oh Boy! Oberto boat this week.

One of the sport’s rising stars, Shane, 29, has some big shoes to fill as he replaces legendary boat racer Steve David, who retired at the end of last season after 25 years in the sport (read the story).

Jimmy Shane celebrates after winning the H1 Unlimited race
at San Diego Bayfair in 2013. Photo by Jason Johnson“Being named the new Miss Madison driver is quite an honor and having the backing of such a great sponsor as Oberto makes the opportunity that much better,” said Shane, who lives in Renton, Wash., with his wife, Bianca, and their son, Colton. “The history of the team speaks for itself. There’s also a uniqueness to the team as its owned by the 13,000-plus citizens of the city of Madison (Indiana). This brings on an extra role to being the driver as I not only have to represent the sponsor and team members, but also an entire town.

“My goals for the 2014 season include defending my Drivers title from 2013 and bringing a national championship back to the city of Madison,” added Shane, who becomes the team’s 21st driver. “I know that Steve David left very big shoes to fill in all aspects of hydroplane racing and I will continue to do my best and leave my own mark in this wonderful sport. I would like to thank all of the owners, sponsors and crewmembers for this great opportunity. I’m looking forward to a great future with a great team.”

Since his rookie season in 2012, Shane has collected six victories, including the final race of the 2013 season at San Diego Bayfair where he defeated David, who was penalized for jumping the start.

“We would like to welcome Jimmy Shane’s young family to the legendary Miss Madison team,” said Mike Hanson, crew chief for the oldest active team in Unlimited hydroplane racing as the Miss Madison Racing Team has competed every year since 1961. “We are very excited to have Jimmy join the team and are looking forward to having a young talented driver who has the potential to stick around for a long time, such as Steve and I have done.”

H1 Champ Shane to Drive Oh Boy! Oberto Hydroplane

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