Seebold to Retire Following the 2016 US F1 Powerboat Tour

After a racing career spanning more than 40 years, Tim Seebold—the winningest driver on the US F1 Powerboat Tour—announced this year will be his final season. According to a press release from Seebold Sports, the 2015 US F1 Powerboat Tour national champion is shifting his focus to his final season in competitive racing and beyond.

“I feel like I’ve accomplished more than I could ever dream of as far as a driver,” Seebold said in the release. “After a long career, you’re always going to remember the last of it and how the end played out. My goal is to go out on top this year to showcase what our team is capable of.”

With support from NGK Spark Plugs, veteran racer Tim Seebold is going for gold in his final season. Photo courtesy Seebold Sports

Partnering with NGK Spark Plugs as its title sponsor for a fourth straight season, this year will the final one of a 77-year Seebold Racing lineage that spans three generations.

“My grandfather, my father, my older brother, Mike, and I have spent our lives dedicated to this sport,” said Seebold, a multi-time world and national champion. “One of the things that made our family thrive was that we all did it together. We all were heavily involved and active in the sport and racing was a family affair. I’d like to leave racing in a better position than it was when we first got involved.”

Tim’s grandfather, Bill Seebold Sr., began racing in 1939, and his father, Bill Seebold Jr., enjoyed a 46-year racing career that included 69 world and national championships and more than 900 race victories. Mike and Tim started racing at ages 13 and 8, respectively, with Mike going on to win multiple national and world championships in a variety of powerboat classes, including offshore racing.

The Seebold family from left: Bill Jr., Bill Sr., Mike and Tim. Click here to download the feature on the Seebold family in the July/August 2014 issue of Speed On The Water magazine.“To carry on a family tradition has always been an honor for me,” Tim said. “Just being mentioned in the same sentence as my family is still special—there’s no better company in powerboat racing.”

He said the team is going for gold in 2016 and will be sporting a different look in conjunction with an important milestone for NGK Spark Plugs (USA), Inc.

“This year marks NGK’s 50th year doing business in the United States,” said Mark Sprague, NGK USA’s general manager of marketing. “In 1966, Seebold Sports had a well-established racing legacy and has since become the winningest family in professional motorsports. We are proud to have Tim fly the NGK flag for his final season.”

The partnership between NGK Spark Plugs and Seebold Racing began more than 15 years ago and the sponsorship has grown as Seebold’s career has progressed.

“One of the things that motivates me is having a sponsor like NGK and the great people who work there supporting me and appreciating the sport as much as I do,” said Seebold, whose first race is this weekend at the NASF S.P.O.R.T. Racing Series event in Highlands, Texas, followed by the US F1 season opener in Port Neches, Texas. “That admiration of hard work helps promote the brand and lends to a great working relationship.”

“Partnering with Tim and the Seebold Racing family all these years has been fantastic,” said Mike Schwab, NGK USA’s senior vice president of aftermarket sales and marketing. “The winning spirit of Seebold Racing fits perfectly with our products, and helping this team win so many races and championships has been a very special experience for all of us at NGK Spark Plugs. We wish Tim the best of luck during his final year driving the NGK Spark Plugs boat in 2016.”

Seebold has been working for the past couple of months to get the team’s three raceboats and its 48-foot trailer and semi hauler re-branded with the new NGK 50th anniversary gold graphics. The team turned to longtime partner Kevin Pyles, owner of the MOTO Marketing Group, to help design the new look. Pyles, who has worked with the team for nearly 20 years, called the new design “the best they’ve ever created.”

Pro DeZigns is printing and wrapping all of the team’s machines, including using new custom Golden Chrome vinyl on the boats to give Seebold a shiny new look never before seen on an F1 boat.

Along with NGK Spark Plugs, the team is delighted to have several secondary sponsors return for Seebold’s final season, including Seaway Marine, MarineEngine.com, CDI Electronics, SHORAI Batteries, Weldon Fuel Pumps, Pro DeZigns, C&M Concrete and MOTOMarketingGroup.com.

Seebold to Retire Following the 2016 US F1 Powerboat Tour

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