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DOUG SHELTON Doug started out doing rescue. He became involved with Tacoma Water Sport Rescue Association doing rescue for about five years and got to know some of the people. One of the drivers offered to let Doug take his boat out for a ride in the bay, and that ride got him hooked. He crewed for the Stinger, the National Modified team, the fastest National Modified in the world. I have helped on other boats but original start was in rescue. Being involved in racing over 20 years Doug has had the opportunity to drive in the 2.5 Stock, 5 Litre and the 2.5 Modified. But Doug's favorite class is the 5 Litre, by far, it is the most competitive class, there are lot of people racing in that class, they are all serious hard racers, and they have a really good time. When it comes to the motors Doug says "I am a Ford fan, but unfortunately, in my class you have to run the Chevy to win. In the 5 Litre class I run a 305 Chevrolet which is also a piston engine." Being very competitive, as far as racing goes, Doug is a really good starter. In his class, the 5 Litre, thats one of the most important things you can do. Doug always strives to be one of the best starters in the class. Doug said "I am very competitive, and pretty good at maintaining the running of the boat." Doug and his family have always worked hard in the racing community, and are always pitching in to help when they can. Doug said, "I love my family, my wife, and my kids. We use boat racing to have a lot of fun with the people in boat racing, its so much fun." Outside of hydro racing they like to snow ski and water ski, anything to do with water. Thats why the name of his boat is Aqua Nut because his family is nuts about water sports. Playing and enjoying being with wife and my kids is the most important part of staying involved with the hydro family. Doug is very familiar with the mechanics of his boat. Doug said "I do all the work on my own boat and motor. I have had the motor built, but I maintain it and take care of it. I have done everything from build a boat and the repairs after they have been wrecked." One race when he got a good size hole in the side of his boat, had the boat repaired and back on the water the next week. At that race Doug tore the other side of the boat out. The last race of the season he tore one whole side of the boat out. They worked all winter fixing the damage while making some changes on the boat. But Doug adds "The first race the next season we tore the other side of the boat out. We did the exact same thing on the other side." Doug has been building a brand new boat with his friend Terry Troxell. Terry is designing it, and Doug is building molds, looking forward to having a new 5 Litre on the race course, and the name of the boat - Aqua Nut of course. Doug uses the rules to his advantage the best he can, but adds, "Yes I guess I bend them a little, I broke a few occasionally. I have been called for a few different infractions. I have never done anything illegal as far as motors and technical rules, but when driving I will push my competitors to the maximum the referees will allow. But to win as a driver you need a lot of determination, a lot of hard work, winning starts. I think the 5 Litre is the most competitive class in APBA, and I would like to get the National Championship in that class. The other long term goal I have is to drive an unlimited hydroplane some day." To be racing is almost like a second full time job. It takes a lot of time to work on the boats and get them prepared to go racing. It is a big time commitment, but Doug doesn't think racing takes him away from his family. Doug takes his family with him everywhere he goes. They use racing as a family function because the boat racing community is like a family too.
Racing with Doug Shelton
INSIDE LOOK AT WHAT HAPPENING WITH DOUG SHELTON
Racing with Doug
See you at the races with Doug and his c...
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