Inside SOTW Mag—Victory Is Ours

You may not know this, but in the early to late 1980s, and even a bit beyond, the Victory Team involved more than a few go-fast marine industry names you do know. At one time or another, the Dubai-based Victory outfit, which eventually ran roughshod over the now-defunct Union Internationale Motonautique Class 1 circuit, tapped the considerable talents of Sterling Performance Engines’ Mike D’Anniballe, Skater Powerboats’ Peter Hledin, MTI’s Randy Scism and Miss GEICO team manager Gary Stray. In no small way, all contributed to the team’s long-term development and success.

On and off the offshore racecourse, the Dubai-based Victory Team is hoping to make a splash in the United States. Photo courtesy/copyright Pete Boden/Shoot 2 Thrill Pix.

So you could say there’s already a United States connection to the Victory Team. But with Victory’s plan to field at least one boat in the 1100 Class of the six-race American Power Boat Association Championship Series and introduce 34- and 27-foot outboard engine-powered sport cats to the U.S. market, that connection is about to become a lot more significant.

During the Miami International Boat Show in February, tunnel boat racing legend and Victory Team chief executive officer Scott Gillman confirmed that the team will field at least one boat in the APBA Championship Series.

“We are going with the Mercury 1100 Comp engine program for that class,” Gillman said. “We also have two 34-foot canopied cats coming to U.S. racers who will compete in the series’ outboard cat class.”

To enjoy the full feature, click the download link for the PDF of the January/February 2019 Speed On The Water magazine, and please share any feedback with us below, via email or on social media.