2009 | Dee Berghauer

Berghauer of Elm Grove, Wisconsin has combined a successful 27-year racing career with decades of excellence as an APBA official. Dee has boat racing in his DNA. He started racing at age five in northern Wisconsin and Michigan. He won his first race that summer.

At age nine, Dee joined APBA and began racing J-Runabout. Dee put a Mercury J motor on an A-Hydro, and he and Jim Jost Jr. had the first J-Stock Hydro race. In 1963, Dee started racing A Stock Hydro. He had to add 33 pounds of lead to his boat, but won the Larry Krueger Memorial Trophy and qualified for the 1963 Stock Outboard Nationals. He moved on to B-Stock and C-Stock Hydro, and ran third at the 1967 Nationals behind his brothers Denis and Duane.

In 1971, Dee won his first National Championship, in D-Stock Hydro. From 1981 to 1985, Dee dominated the class, losing only five races. He was inducted into APBA’s Hall of Champions in 1982 and 1984. Dee’s driving career ended in 1986. Even as a driver, Dee was busy securing and promoting races, serving as a Race Director, and holding offices in Region 7 clubs. He helped develop the 25SS and 35SS Hydro classes.

In 1982, Dee became a member of the Stock Outboard Racing Commission. He was then asked to join the OPC Racing Commission, of which he is still a member. He is also OPC’s Chief Referee, a member of the OPC Motor Technical Committee and an OPC Inspector. He also served as APBA New Class Committee Chairman and is Commodore of the Great Lakes Boat Club.

Dee has helped develop rules for APBA, UIM, WCF and local clubs that incorporate safety, common sense and logic. His sense of humor, courteous and professional manner, and respect for all racers promote the best interests of the sport. Dee has been the Region 7 Chairman for a decade. He is also a Commissioner in the UIM and officiates at Formula 1 and other races internationally. Dee works with all categories of APBA. He has refereed on the IOGP Series, at numerous Stock, Mod, PRO and Junior races, at Inboard and OPC Nationals, Kilo record runs and other Special Events. Dee and Badger State Outboard Association successfully orchestrated a night race during Milwaukee’s Summerfest. On short notice, with the selfless help of his wife Meri, Dee and a small group put on the 2004 National Meeting in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It was an enjoyable event that provided strong rebuilding impetus for the APBA at a critical time. Dee has been a great asset to the sport of boat racing. APBA is richer, and racing is fairer, for the efforts of Dee Berghauer.