2008 | Ralph Donald

Donald of Naples, Florida, began racing in 1953 with a used Speedliner runabout and a Mercury KG7. 55 years later, he remains an active Outboard racer, supporter and organizer.

Competing in the U.S. and abroad, Ralph has won many titles, including the 1987 Eis Pokal (Ice Trophy) in 500ccH at the World Cup in Berlin, Germany. In 1966, Ralph organized Region 14, and served as chairman for eight years. Serving on the PRO Commission since 1969, he was PRO VP in 1976-77 and 1980. He led an effort to reclassify the “Alky” classes by engine displacement, and to rename the category “Professional Racing Outboard”.

In 1975 Ralph revived the Atlanta Boat Club within APBA. Under his leadership, the club held the APBA National meeting at Atlanta in 1976; Ralph coordinated another in 1995. Ralph organized many races, including the 1980 and 1984 PRO Nationals. After the original 1980 event was cancelled, Ralph quickly organized the “Make-Up Nationals”in Acworth, GA–a few months late, but successfully.

Ralph helped establish the U.S. Title Series in 1982 to promote quality championship racing. He sponsored the first UIM 125 Hydroplane World Championship in 1997, and again in 2003. Ralph also brought UIM World Championships in 0-125, 0-175 and 0-250 to Lake Alfred, Florida in 2008. Ralph fostered new classes: 500 Sprint Hydro, 125cc Runabout, 175cc Hydro and 175cc Runabout. When engine supplier Konig folded, he worked to preserve the plant and equipment for PRO racing. Ralph was among the first to campaign a PRO hydro with a reinforced cockpit.

Ralph Donald has given unselfishly to the PRO category and to APBA for over 50 years. He has helped bring the racing communities of Europe and the USA closer together. Ralph has never accepted the status quo, and has always advocated trying something new to advance the sport.