2000 | Ed Karelsen

Karelsen has built perhaps the finest hydros in the U.S. since the 1950s. His Stock, Mod, PRO, Inboard, Unlimited and OPC boats won world championship titles as well as 26 competition and straightaway records. One holds the record for the fastest Outboard-powered hydro in the history of the sport, with runs of over 170 MPH and an average of over 168 mph. One of his Inboard 6 Litre boats won the national title four out of five years.

The 1968 Bardahl revolutionized Unlimiteds, winning national titles in 1967-68. In 1988 the Miller American wore the first pair of Karelsen Shoes that helped Chip Hanauer set a record and win another Gold Cup.

Ed Karelsen epitomizes the spirit of APBA racing. He is never too busy to help someone, usually with simple down-home imagination that borders on genius. He has served on many committees, and championed the use of safety cells. There is little that Ed Karelsen has not done in his nearly 50 years in the sport.