Mike Tilton Online

Tiffany McKinley is 19 years old and this is her 4th year to race. Her first year of racing she won Rookie of the Year with the Champ Boat series. She has podium finishes many times on the SPORT Racing Series and won the Highlands TX race twice. This is a young lady in the SST45 class that is on the move to the top.

#71     BILL MAY, Tallahassee, FL 

In 2006, word came from Tallahassee, FL that "World Famous" Bill May had hung up the helmet.  After working tirelessly with Chad Lee of Lee Tunnels (Cullman, AL) to perfect the Aeroslot hull, the Former National and Series Champion had hung up the gloves and sold the entire racing package to Tyler Kratochwill.  Say it ain't so!  Would the Tallhasses Flash and his Sassy Lassie be gone from the powerboat racing scene forever?  Fast forward to 2008, "WF" for short, shows up in Chattahoochee, FL with a brand new impeccably prepared Pugh hull.  "WF" is back, Baby!!!  With lots of help from the meticulous Gary Pugh (Knoxville, TN) designing the hull and Chris Fairchild's wizadry in the engine compartment, Bill drove the unproven steed to a win right out of the box.  Borrowed jets from the Jeff and Carole Reno camp, other parts borrowed from Jeff and Suzy Shepard, and then more help from Bruce Washburn and Dean Pink, put it all together with  Bill driving the tar out of the boat bringing it home to victory.  As always, Bill's better half Ashley was on the headset telling "WF" what to do!  By the wy, Jeff Reno finished in the second spot and Brian Burkhardt rounded out the top three finishers!Speaking philisophically, Bill said "Obviously we enjoy the competition, however, it is really the people involved in this sport that keeps us coming back.  The mind says it prudent to stop racing, the heart says it is too priceless an experience to pass up.  We like to live, not exist.  "If your not living on the edge, you are taking up too much room"  With all the new equipment out there this year, 2008 "May" well be a banner year!

#77   MARK JAKOB, Clifton, IL

What can you say about this young man.  First of all, a true racer at heart.  Mark Jakob works tirelessly on his equipment as well as helping his fellow competitors.  Fearless on the racecourse and well liked in the paddock area, Mark is an absolute gentleman racer.  Did I say, racer at heart?  Funny, because Mark's heart has been stolen.  Mark and Tammy Wolf will be married this August 30th at the APBA Nationals in Kankakee, IL.  I am not sure of Mark's racing plans this year, but who cares!   

He is getting married!          He is one lucky guy!

# 8  TAMMY WOLF,  Ontario, Canada                         3/19

 The "Canadian Sensation" burst upon the Powerboat Superleague circuit four years ago and has taken the boat racing fans by storm.  Always a crowd favorite at each site, fans cheer for the bright pink Pugh hull racing out of Ontario, Canada.  A mild mannered Dental Hygienist by day, but on the weekend this young lady has her sights set on the checkered flag. Not only earning a top ten finish in points on the Superleague circuit, Tammy also captured the Canadian Cup by earning the most points by a Canadian driver on the 2007 US circuit.   In 2008, the Sensation, as her friends call her, will be campaigning her "baby" Pugh hull with a 56.1 ci Evinrude racing engine.  The Chief of Operations on the boat this year is fellow racer and boyfriend, Mark Jakob.  The IT Specialist on the race team is Blair Kants and Chris Heath works on the team as Driver and Crew Advisor.  Come see the "Canadian Sensation" beat up on the boys at all Superleague events this year!  Tammy's first Superleague outing this year will be in High Point, NC on May 31st and June 1st.

# 30 PAUL PITTMAN, New Albany, IN                       3/19

In 2007, Paul Pittman drove the Turbo Propeller's Pugh hull to five Superleague victories including an impressive win at the Three Rivers Regatta in Pittsburgh, PA.  Paul's illustrious 25 year racing career is topped off with 2 North American Championship titles, APBA Hall of Champions inductions and Formula 2™ Rookie of the Year honors in 2001.  Paul was crowned Formula 3™ Champion in 2000.  A college business professor by trade, the "Professor's" five 2007  victories earned his Turbo team the Formula 2™ Championship.  His long time Crew Chief, Dave Harkins won Crew Person of the Year honors in 2005.  One of the finest teams to ever tour with the Superleague, the Turbo Propeller driven Pittman hull will no longer grace the liquid superspeedways, as Pittman has hung up the driving gloves.  The now famous yellow Pugh racing hull has been shipped to Matt Smith who will now campaign that potent steed out of Newcastle, Australia.  The "Professor" told me that he will still be around helping out at the races but the driving suit is now destined for the Pittman trophy case! 

Good luck in every thing you do, my friend!

# 7 SAM MILLER, Kankakee, Illinois                                 3/19

Sam Miller is without a doubt the neatest guy on the Superleague circuit.  He always has a smile and something nice to say and is always working on someone else's equipment because he comes to each event ready to race.  Already crowned the 2005 APBA SST-60 National Champion, Miller has his sights  set on lofty goals.  In 2006, Sam had two runner-up finishes, three third place finishes and one very proud Powerboat Superleague victory in Aurora, Indiana making a pass for the lead with only two laps remaining in the main event.                                                                             A crowd favorite wherever he competes, Sam finished the 2006 season fifth in APBA points and fourth in Superlague points only 5 points behind the third place competitor.    By the way, in 07 Sam finished third at the World Champiosnhips in his hometown of Kankakee, IL.  

Checkerd flags are in this bright young drivers future.                                                             Look for Sam the "Giant Killer" Miller at a Powerboat Superleague event near you!

# 66   TYLER KRATOCHWILL, St Louis, MO                                        3/10

Word has it that Tyler is back at 100% and has begun testing his potent SST-120 / Formula 2™ Lee AreoSlot hull.  Formula 2 drivers welcome Tyler back but also know that this driver is a proven winner and a force to be reckoned with in 2008.  Attention to details is foremost for this multi time National Championship Winning Team. From their impeccably prepared equipment to equally impressive beautiful tractor trailer rig, these guys are on top of their game.  Dennis White is back as crew chief this year for the two time APBA Hall of Champions driver.

 It is great to have Tyler and the entire  # 66 Kratochwill team back in action !

"CRAZY" CHRIS WAALEN, Fargo, ND                                                    3/10

Reports from the Waalen camp are that "Crazy" Chris will be on the sidelines this year.  He is scheduled to make appearances around the circuits crewing for the Formula 2™ driver out of Hastings, MN, Donnie Lick.  It will be great when we can see the "Crazy One" back behind the wheel with a full season onslougt for the championship.  Chris is a great guy and a welcome addition to any crew.  But I know Chris's real love is being the loose nut behind the steering wheel.                                                         Good Luck "Crazy" Chris!

JAMES ADERHOLDT, The Netherlands                                                 3/10   www.teampowerseal.com

One of the best racers and one of the best guys ever on the Superleague circuit has been missing for several years.  I caught up with James Aderholdt via e-mail this weekend.  James is in the Netherlands supporting the RNLAF Apache Helicopter Program.  James works for Boeing Aerospace/Military Systems and he provides all of the engineering, logistical, and program management support  for the Dutch Apache Helicopter Program.              He has been the Senior Boeing Representative in the Netherlands for almost 6 years.  James and his wife Cheryl really enjoy traveling across Europe to races. This assignment has provided a great opportunity to race abroad and meet new racing friends.   James should be back in the United States in October racing at the 0250 World Championship in Florida driving a new Pugh Euro Racer.  This should be a very large event with several teams from Europe and Asia scheduled to compete.                                                         James is looking forward to racing back HOME!   Master Race Boat Builder Gary Pugh is putting the finishing touches on James' new rocket this month.

# 75   J. MICHAEL "HURRICANE" FLOYD, Rincon, GA                              3/12 http://hurricanefloydracing.googlepages.com/home

 In 2004, J. Michael Floyd won five out of six Powerboat Superleague Formula 3™ events.  After a pretty dismal 2005, the "Hurricane" used 2006 as a retooling year.  With all of his Formula 3™ equipment pretty much destroyed in a four boat pile up in Marietta, OH, Floyd drove the remainder of the year at the wheel of Steve DiNicolantonio's Pugh racer.  In 2007, Floyd brought out the trusty SST-120/ Formula 2™ Furnal Flyer that was collecting dust in the Hurricane Hideout, but found it to be less than competitive.  With the assistance of Jim "Superchager" Summers, "Pretty Boy" Floyd was able to purchase a top flight Caniff hull and now he feels confident that the yellow # 75 is back and headed for the Winner's Circle.  Campaigning in the SST-120/Formula 2™ class throughout 2008, Michael is once again fast, competitive and always poised to grab the checkered flag.  "Hurricane" Floyd's season starts in Chattahoochee, FL on March 29.     Dave Jaeger and Mark Floyd will be turning the wrenches for Floyd this year and  ace crew member Ashley Holloway will have the "Georgia Boys" ready for a few checkered flags. 

Keep an EYE out for the Hurricane in 2008.