By Aaron Allen, The Seattle Medium
With Seafair weekend approaching, Hydroplane driver Brent Hall is on the cusp of becoming the first African American to reach the pinnacle of driving in the unlimited class of hydroplane racing. Hall, who needs to complete just five more laps to qualify as an unlimited driver, began his career in 2016 in the 45SS tunnel hulls division, and eventually found his way behind the wheel of the larger, faster limited class of boats and is now in the middle of his rookie season on the unlimited hydroplane circuit. Although his journey to get here was unorthodox, in many ways it happened very quickly by racing standards.
As one of the sports current day ambassadors, Hall looks to promote and enhance the interest of hydro racing to the next generation. At the end of the day, Hall’s career is about legacy and passing the torch.
“Paying it forward,” says Hall. “I learned from Harold Mills (the first African American Hydroplane racer) and he helped me tremendously. I am now working with an African American racer named Don Jones, and my son, who is a second-generation racer for us. He [my son] started racing when he was ten, he’s a good little racer and I’m really proud to see his progression.”
A Seattle native, Hall has fond memories of Seafair. Like most kids, the anticipation of the parade and seeing the unlimited class hydroplanes race at Seafair was every kid’s passion during the summer.
“I grew up watching the races, grew up making models of the boats and raced radio-controlled hydroplanes and that’s how I got into the racing side of it, but now to be in one and a rookie in Seafair at the highest level is really amazing,” said Hall.
While Hall loved watching the hydroplanes (hydros) race the thought of him being a hydroplane driver seemed far-fetched. But an introduction to Mills, who later invited Hall to become one of his crew members, changed everything. Mills had a very storied career as a hydroplane driver, including being the first African American to place in the unlimited light class at Seafair (2005) as well as the first ever Black hydroplane national champion of the American Power Boat Racing Association. Mills, who spent most of his career driving in the limited hydroplane divisions, retired from the sport before fully qualifying as an unlimited hydroplane driver.
“I love hydros, but I never saw anyone who looked like me driving hydros, never thought about really driving one, I just loved the sport. Until I met Harold Mills,” says Hall.
“Mills really paved the way,” added Hall. “He was the first African American in a sport that was extremely competitive back then, he was a national champ, and has an exhibit at the African American Museum, so for me to get a chance to take it over the hump and be the first officially qualified Black unlimited hydroplane driver means everything to me.”
According to Hall, physical dexterity and health are essential to drivers. Most spectators don’t understand the mental and physical strength it takes drive a hydroplane. Hall, who recently overcame a bout with cancer, says that staying healthy is a major factor when it comes to having success in racing.
“In 2018, I was diagnosed with kidney cancer and that was a big surprise,” says Hall. “For me, is this whole thing coming to an end, I didn’t know. The truth, statistics said I had 9 percent chance of being here in five years and if you do the math from 2018 to now is five years and I am still here. Because I had a lot of support.”
“One the side of my boat you’ll see the sticker “Obliteride” and that is a ride, run, walk, virtual ride that I support because I am a cancer survivor,” Hall continued. “I can’t get too high or get too low, you just have to go through it and I am really grateful for the outcome I’ve had and now that I am able to race and raise awareness for others, I am excited about that but we always have to think live to the fullest because you never know, you never know.
The one aspect of Hall’s journey that he is most proud of is watching his son follow in his footsteps.
“My son is now a second-generation racer,” says Hall. “He started when he was 10, he’s 12 now, this will be his second time doing a demonstration at Seafair. His boat is named “Squire Shop” it is black and red, he has probably, if not more, fans than I do. He is a really good racer, methodical, and he has proven he can mix it up with the best of them.”
As Hall sat down with the Seattle Medium and as we ended our conversation, he reflected on his future in the sport.
“I would love to race as long as I possibly can,” says Hall. “There are a few racers who continue to race up into their seventies. I just have to make sure my reflexes are still there and right now mine are still sharp as a tack and I would love to continue racing for sure. It all depends on how successful we are. But more importantly I want to promote this amazing sport of unlimited hydroplane racing and pass it on to the next generation.”
