King of the Water Challenge Series
"TO BE THE BEST - YOU GOT TO BEAT THE BEST"
Meet The Drivers
Who They Are
WE'VE GOT BIG BALLS
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Andrew Thirlby
Fife Lake, MI.
Driver: M-44
Following the footsteps of his father, Uncle, & grandfather, Andrew is a skilled driver ready to compete and be King of the Water.
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* 2 time Hall of Champions inductee (APBA)
* Multiple National Championships
* Multiple High points championships (USTS)
Clio, MI.
Andy Kirts
Driver: M-8
3rd generation driver with the great Dan Kirts still by his side. Andy is one of the hardest competitors on the race track and when he is fast... He is fast!
Big things come in small packages and watch out for his breakout season.
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Order Today!!!
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Traverse City, MI.
Brady Brinkman
Driver: F-109
The newest addition to the Thirlby racing team known as "New Guy". 4th generation driver that has excelled over the past couple of years. This kid is one everyone should look out for.
Daniel Hooten
Cedar Rapids, IA.
Driver: 4
Just like his father, Daniel drives as hard as anyone on the track. Daniel is a fierce competitor that many look at when he has everything dialed in. Look out for this guy, because you never know when he is coming on your inside.
HOOTEN Racing
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Lancaster, SC.
Daniel Korpe
Driver: N-711
Daniel is the new fulltime driver for the Wright Racing team. Kid has made waves in other divisions of boat racing with plenty of wins under his belt. With the right equipment I am sure we will see him upfront in the pack.
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Mt. Pleasant, MI.
Dustin Pearson
Driver: M-195
A Hall of Champions inductee and a veteran runabout driver. Dustin is a true competitor in boat racing. He recently came to the big boy runabout show and I can guarantee you will see this guy running hard to the front for the challenge series this year.
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Jacob Emmons
Muskegon, MI.
Driver: M-96
Eager and ready for a breakout year for Jacob Emmons. After watching his dad race he just knew it is what he wanted to do. Watch out for this hungry competitor.
Brookfield, WI.
Jason Sailer
Driver: M-16
4th generation driver in pro outboard racing. Jason "JDAWG" began racing for the Thirlby racing team 8 years ago and he hasn't looked back as he continues to be one of the toughest to beat on the race course.
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* Hall of Champions inductee (APBA)
* 2021-2024 500R National Champion
* 2024 500R / 700R high point champion (USTS)
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Order Today!!!
Nasty Habits
Racing
Jerzee Holman
Clio, MI.
Driver: R-22
West coast driver that is a force to watch out for. Jerzee moved from Washington state to run against the best in big boy runabouts. Since coming into the runabout classes, he has and will be fighting his way to be the King of the water.
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* 2024 700R North American Champion
* 2024 1100R North American Champion
Minneapolis, MN.
Nick Watalka
Driver: 187
Nick is fairly new to the big boy runabout show, but this guy is determined to go fast. Nick will be eager to race this year to run hard upfront with this stellar field of drivers this year.
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Hostile
Racing
Vinny Buskirk
Wheaton, IL.
Driver: 97
2nd Generation driver with Buzzy's racing team out of Traverse City, Mi. This is his 3rd year racing full time in the big runabout classes. Vinny is a driver that the competition is watching out for as he continues to improve and win races.
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* 2024 - 700R National champion
Steve Fales
Townsend, MA.
N=611
Steve drives for Wright racing team. His family has a long tradition in boat racing.He is looking to compete with the young guns and show them how old dogs hunt.
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PICTURE
COMING
SOON
Joshua Pearson
Berkley, MI.
Driver: M-95
This new driver in the big boy runabout is not new to the sport of boat racing. He has many accomplishments under his belt and as you can see, he is putting the field on notice! Time for a seasoned vet to get into the chase to be King of the Water.
Pompano Beach, FL.
Kayl Nicholson
Driver: 33
This driver in the big boy runabout is not new to the sport of boat racing. He is a 2nd generation boat racer and is excited to compete
in the King of the Water Challenge Series. Good luck this 2025 season.
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Nicholson
Racing
Order Today!!!
Nicholson
Racing
Kenneth Nicholson
Fort Lauderdale, FL.
Driver: F-38
Kenneth has been racing for over 40 years. He continues to compete with the young guns, not to mention he will be competing against his son for the 2025 season. We welcome him and wish him the best in the King of the Water.