The Family that Roars

Photo courtesy of Seebold Racing

Tim Seebold continues the family racing legacy by powering the F1 Powerboat Championship into the future

by Deborah Wolfe

Mention Lake of the Ozarks boat racing and it’s no exaggeration to claim that thousands of people around the world will know about the legendary unsanctioned race held annually at the Lake, featuring boats of all makes and models vying for Top Gun. No doubt, the highlight of every Shootout is the big boys – the offshore cats racing to beat the record speed of 244 set by Spirit of Qatar in 2014.

But there is another class of racing with roots at the Lake that arguably has outpaced many offshore teams in endurance, championships and racing legacy, and Tim Seebold is intent on bringing it to the masses.

Formula 1—Racing on the Edge

Fueled by passion and a hefty dose of bravado, mixed with immense skill and state-of-the-art technology, Formula 1 power boats rocket across the water, skimming just inches above the surface at more than 120 miles per hour. These aren’t just races — they’re adrenaline-fueled spectacles where aerodynamics and hydrodynamics meet raw courage and precision.

For Seebold, third-generation racer and driving force behind the F1 Powerboat Racing Championship Series, this sport isn’t just about speed. It’s about family, legacy, and building a future for boat racing in America.

At the professional level, F1 drivers manage every aspect of the boat themselves: throttle, steering, and trim — balancing the hull delicately between water and air.

“You’re flying it as much as you’re driving it,” Seebold explains. “At top speed, only about a foot of the boat touches the water. Too little lift and you lose speed. Too much, and it’s disaster.”

The challenge is compounded by constantly changing conditions. Rooster tails obscure vision. Waves rebound off seawalls. Wind, fuel load, and even a few pounds of weight can alter performance.

“No two laps are ever the same,” Seebold said, stressing the challenge of staying upright on a moving body of water. “It’s the only motorsport where the course itself changes every time around.”

Photo courtesy of Donny Larsen