1998 | Eugene Gene Whipp

Whipp of Sarasota, FL, past Chairman of the Offshore Racing Commission, started racing in 1959 in the 48 cubic inch Hydro class. He drove as many as four classes at the same regatta and barely had time to take off his life jacket and helmet, jumping from boat to boat.

He was a winner in every class: 1968 Divisional and National Champion, 225 ci Hydro; 1969 High Point Champion, 280 ci Hydro; 1971 and 1972 National and World Champion, 7 Litre Hydro. Whipp won his only Unlimited race, the 1973 President's Cup Regatta in Washington, DC driving the Lincoln Thrift.

He moved to Offshore, where he became very active as a driver and then as an official. He won the 1984 Offshore Class VI Championship and set a 1988 World Kilo Record in Class Sportsman A at 84.310 mph.

Throughout Gene's racing career he also refereed in the Inboard, Unlimited and Offshore categories. Gene helped found the Dayton Motor Boat Racing Association and spearheaded the Dayton Hydrobowl regattas.

After moving to Florida, Gene started the Sarasota Offshore Power Boat Grand Prix Races, which raised funds for the handicapped for years. By no means a complete list of Gene’s accomplishments, this reflects his deep love and personal involvement in power boat racing. He was a credit to our sport.