Soon after John Peeters became a member of our Club, he gave a classification talk about the printing business.  He is the owner of Penway Media, a company that he purchased from his parents.  But this time, he chose to talk about his hobby as a hydroplane driver, a hobby he shared with his father, Wayne Peeters, since he began driving at age 9.

 

 

Hydro racing is a family thing.  Both John's father, Wayne, and his uncle were active drivers.  John started racing J stock (junior) hydros at age 9.  He continued this until he was in high school and started college at Everett Community College through running start.  He finished his undergrad degree at Western Washington University.

 

After John completed college in 2004, he and his father, Wayne, decided to try the sport again.  He has participated in the American Power Boat Association US Title Series.  There are four classes--A,B,C & D.  With a restricter plate removed from his J motor, John had an A Class motor and was ready to start racing again--and winning!

 

 

Since john's return to racing he has had national championships in all three classes, including seven straight titles in OSY-400.  John holds over 26 world records, including speed records in four classes.  John competes in both lap races and straightaways. Some of the races involve having a second person in the boat known as the mechanic. His wife Jodi has filled that role in several races, but he acknowledges he drives more conservative with her in the boat.

 

When John and Jodi started a family, he races less but faster.  His daughter, Lynn, has shown an interest and when she is ready John has a boat for her.  

 

The fastest hydro that John has run is an F2 Tunnel that he drove for a year.  It reaches speeds of 130 to 140 mph. He has won over 1000 races during his career.  It's not for money prizes but as a hobby.  The only prize often is a "Certificate of Speed".  For John most of them are for world speed records.  Many of the races can be viewed on U-tube.

 

As for the number of boats he owns, it was as though he has lost track.  He and his father have built many of the boats.  Many of them can be found hanging from the ceiling in his printing shop.  John brought one to display outside of our meeting location.