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Description
Marine Racing Club of Illinois
Marine Racing Club (MRC) was chartered in Chicago, Illinois in 1957, and races under the auspices of the American Power Boat Association (APBA), the largest sanctioning body for power boat racing in the United States. Over its long and illustrious history, MRC has proudly sent many members to the APBA Hall of Champions, the highest honor afforded in the sport of power boat racing.
MRC formed due to the huge popularity of Stock Outboard boat racing in America in the late 1950s, and blossomed during racing's heyday in the '60s and '70s with the availability of new racing engines and even new race boats at many local marinas.
Over 50-years later, and MRC is still going strong! Our members hail from the great states of Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin. We are the premier boat racing club in Illinois with approximately 50 members on our roster, a few of whom, we are proud to say, are Charter Members from back in 1957! MRC is steeped in tradition and rich in history, and we look forward to including you in our coming chapters.
A comprehensive 67-year listing of APBA National Champions (1948 to 2015) provides a wonderful history. Great racers from both MRC and BSOA are highlighted, and many – you'll be surprised to see – are still actively racing today!
Outboard Racing at its Finest
Picture yourself traveling at 60 miles per hour; not sitting in your 3,000 pound steel car, but kneeling – inches above the water – in a 120 pound wooden boat. Your left hand squeezes the throttle. Your right hand is glued to the steering wheel. As the boat skims above the surface, your slightest movement affects its ride over the ever-changing water.
Now picture yourself surrounded by 11 other boats, just inches apart. Rough water jolts you. The spray of the other boats drenches you. You anxiously take your shot to pass your closest opponent; pushing your mind, will, and body to the limit. Three laps of flawless timing and outsmarting your competitors puts you in front for the win. The heart-pounding excitement lasts only minutes per heat, but Stock Outboard boat racing leaves you thirsting for more.
Join Us
Joining MRC is easy! Simply send us an email leting us know your membership needs, and we will respond back to you within 24-hours. We offer three levels of club membership:
- Racing Membership – Cost is $25 annually
- Junior Racing Membership – Cost is $15 annually
- Non-Racing Membership – Cost is $10 annually
MRC membership expiration date is the same as APBA (October 31).
Marine Racing Club of Illinois FAQs
Q: Is boat racing safe?
A: Boat racing is a motor sport, which by definition, always involves some degree of risk. However, our high standards for equipment and safety gear help keep that risk to a minimum.
Q: Is boat racing expensive?
A: Boat racing is actually on the lower-end of the cost spectrum for a motor sport when compared to go-karting, motocross, or auto racing, to name a few.
Q: What are the boats made of?
A: Most race boats are made of spruce or mahogany framing, skinned with marine-quality plywood, and sealed with marine epoxy. Some boats are made of composite materials such as carbon fiber.
Q: Where do you buy boats from?
A: Many racers design and build their own brand of hulls for themselves and other racers during the off-season. Some racers have been designing and building boats for over 40-years! Kit boats consisting of pre-cut framing and detailed build/finishing instructions, as well as plans to build your own hulls are also available.
Q: What kinds of engines do you use?
A: It's a mix: some of our engines actually use power heads and mid-sections derived from stock fishing motors that are then married to racing lower-units. Our other engines are race-specific built only for outboard boat racing. But all of our engines use racing propellers.
Q: How can I get involved in racing?
A: You may always send us an email. Better still, come to a race in your area, and talk to the drivers in the pits! If the bug bites you hard enough, you may also consider attending a Racing School. Either way, you are welcome!
Find more venues here: https://www.illinipowersports.com/all-venues-listings/
Find more info about the Marine Racing Club of Illinois here: https://www.belmontyachtclub.org/
