What ultimately led you to the
decision to purchase a complete
race team setup from Ted Porter
when he decided to step away?

The group of people who are
on our team are the most amazing
people in the sport. Our team  
members are kind family people
who are respectful of everyone. I did not want this team to break up. This crew has just finished a complete rebuild of the race boat, every nut, bolt, and bracket has

The first victory by a Graham Trucking sponsored boat came at the
2009 U.I.M.World Championships in Doha, Qatar.

Without playing the obvious favorites too much, what is your all-time favorite hydroplane? Same goes for an all-time favorite driver? (We won’t tell JMK.) Maybe try second favorite to both those
questions.

The first boat and driver I was ever really passionate about was Chip Hanauer in the Squire Shop. I had received mostly hand-medown clothes as a kid and at

some point, I got a pair of Brittannia jeans

Thanks, Rob. Looking forward
to seeing you and the Graham
Trucking race team and family at the races. The best of luck and to an exciting, safe 2017 season.

Rob Graham continued...

August 2017

The Graham Trucking while on its way to victory in last year’s Gold Cup.

Have you ever had the opportunity to drive a hydroplane of any size or class? Do you want to? 

I have been asked many times over the years and it may happen, it’s just not that big of deal to me. One of the things I enjoy most in life is the diversity in people. If we’re all alike and wanted the same things in life, it just wouldn’t work. I was one of six natural kids and my parents also looked after a couple of kids who needed a family. We had eight kids in that house and not a lot of money, having my father’s and my family name associated with a sport I love is far more thrilling to me than being inside the boat. Besides, I don’t think it would be right for me to steal the job from JMK. LOL  

If you were to try and explain to a novice or someone who had never watched a hydroplane run, what is the appeal to you or what do you see?  

The appeal starts on the beach before the race ever starts. The people associated with our sport are kind and giving people who put a huge value on family and friends. I like that. Once the boats are on the water, it’s like a ballet for me. I see the boats dancing out in the water and my heart feels like it’s going to pound right out of my chest. This happens every time the boat goes in the water.

been replaced. We have all new systems in the boat and the crew did the majority of this work.

What would you like to tell people about the sport, where it’s headed, and what we all should be doing to take that next step for the future?

I really have no idea where we are headed. That really depends on what we’re all willing to do and give. I believe we need to continue to strive for parity so that our fans don’t know who is going to win before the race starts. I have never seen hydroplane racing with so many boats so close together as we have these last few years, and that’s really good for the sport. I also support any idea or gadgets that give fans a better idea of what is going on during every heat. It’s difficult to be engaged in something you don’t understand. The NFL
had this issue many years ago, so they put people on TV and radio that could explain things in minute detail so that every man, woman, and child knew what was going on in every play, on every down.

I think part of the reason I associated with that boat was because of that pair of jeans. [Ed note: Squire Shop stores sold Brittannia jeans] I talk to Chip fairly often now and know that wasn’t his favorite ride, but that was the boat, and he was the driver I rooted for.

Changing gears, tell us a little about yourself. Where you are from, upbringing, school, home, family, etc. Whatever you want to share…

I was born in Glasgow, Montana, but moved to Seattle at a young age. My family lived in the Renton Highlands since 1972 and I attended Issaquah schools. I have four kids, three of which are also providing grand kids. I’ve been living with my wife on Mercer Island for some years now and really enjoy it.

Outside of your interest and support of hydroplane racing, what are your other interests, hobbies, activities?

I love to walk/hike. I’ve been doing it since I was a kid and it’s therapeutic for me. I used to travel around the Pacific Northwest and beyond, just to explore. When I have any large block of time, I like to go around Mercer Island on my paddle board. It’s really a treat, but does take more time than I often have. My kids and I also attend all of the Seahawks home games together, sort of tradition. My wife and I also love spending time with
our friends, kids, and grandkids.

Since you have been involved with sponsorship, both at Seafair and directly with many different race teams, Graham Trucking is the name. Tell us more about the business of Graham Trucking and what you get in return for your sponsorship involvement.

When we began our sponsorships in hydroplane racing it wasn’t ever really about promoting the company. I have never been a sales type person and Graham Trucking has never sold anything to the public. We are business to business. Our primary business is transporting heavy ocean containers between companies in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana, to and from Seattle and Tacoma ports. We do also have local flatbed, refrigerated, and dry freight divisions. I do feel, however, that our company name being associated with the sport for so many years has helped with branding and just the way we are received and thought of in Seattle. A good number of my family work at Graham and I believe they all have a huge sense of pride in being a part of hydroplane racing. Everyone pitches in during the season and hosting our hospitality area at
Seafair.

Rob Graham (left) and J. Michael Kelly celebrate winning last year’s Gold Cup.