Officials of the newly formed race sanctioning organization, North American Speedboat Federation (NASF), announced this week that the organization has signed two of North America’s premier tunnel boat racing series to its roster.

According to a press release from NASF, the federation welcomed the US F1 Powerboat Tour and S.P.O.R.T. to the fold upon its official launch in suburban Houston last week. The announcement came at S.P.O.R.T.’s annual awards dinner, at which nearly 90 racers and crew from both US F1 and S.P.O.R.T. were in attendance.

Missouri’s Tim Seebold is excited about the new North American Speedboat Federation. Photo by Paul Kemiel Photographics

Tim Seebold, the 2015 US F1 points champion and driver of the No. 16 NGK Spark Plugs boat, attended the dinner and expressed his support for the new organization.

“This is definitely the first step for us to be able to help our sport grow,” said Seebold, who along with his father, Bill, and brother, Mike, make up one of the most successful families in motorsports history. “By this step, we now control our own destiny. If we’re going to move the sport into the future, we need to control every aspect of what we’re doing, and this is an important first step in that. I think this is a great move.”

NASF formed in early 2016 with the goal to provide boat racers with a progressive, marketing-forward, organization aimed at promoting racers, series and clubs on a national and international level. The organization also will provide an affordable avenue through which to race, including comprehensive insurance coverage at reasonable costs, and affordable membership rates.

Chris Hughes, who drives the No. 17 Formula Lights boat in both series, said the new organization should offer a good alternative to other sanctioning bodies.

“I’m in full support of what’s on the plate right now,” Hughes said. “We’re going to strive to move forward and this move is going to make that possible. It’s that simple. It’s about doing what’s best for all the bodies involved and joining NASF definitely does that. This is nothing but a step up for all of us in the sport.”

Full details and information on the 2016 racing season for NASF are available on www.nasfracing.org.

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