Tim Seebold
A Powerboat Racing Legacy

Birth Date: January 28, 1964
Birthplace: Granite City, Illinois
Hometown: Osage Beach, Missouri
Spouse: Debbie

Powerboat racing legend Tim Seebold has carved an unparalleled legacy in the sport, amassing an astounding 19 National and World Championships over his illustrious 44-year career.

Born into a powerboat racings first family, Seebold’s passion for the sport was ignited at a young age, leading him to become one of the most decorated figures in powerboat racing history. His legacy extends beyond the confines of the racecourse, shaping the landscape of powerboat racing for generations to come.

Early Beginnings

As a child, Tim spent countless hours working alongside his father and grandfather, learning the intricate mechanics and engineering that go into building a championship-caliber race boat. This hands-on experience, coupled with his innate talent behind the wheel, would propel Seebold to unimaginable heights over the course of his career.

Racing Career

Seebold’s racing resume is nothing short of staggering, as he amassed an astounding 19 National and World Championship titles. From his humble beginnings racing small J-Hydro boats as a young 8-year-old boy, Seebold methodically worked his way up through the ranks, honing his skills and pushing the boundaries of what was possible.

Winning in his professional racing debut at 13 and captivating his first National Championship at just 17 years old, setting a UIM (Union Internationale Motonautique) world speed record in the process announcing his arrival as a force to be reckoned with. Over the ensuing decades, Seebold would go on to compete and win in various classes, including Sport E, Mod 50, Mod 90, SST 120, SST 140, Mod VP, Champ, Mod U, Offshore, and Formula One. Tim earning 7 US Formula One Championships (’98,’99,’02,’04,’07,’15,’16) and the most all-time Formula One race wins (37) in US history.

His unparalleled success earned him induction into the prestigious APBA (American Powerboat Association) Hall of Champions, solidifying his legacy as one of the greatest powerboat racers of all time.

Retirement and Legacy
A Seebold style farewell

In 2016, Tim announced his retirement from driving after a successful “Last Lap Tour” ending a motorsport’s dynasty dating back to 1939 when Grandpa Seebold raced his first hand built boat on the Mississippi river. Racing has been a Seebold family tradition for generations, and Tim decided it was time to step back and focus on helping the sport grow.

Business Ventures
Seebold Powerboats and Seebold Sports

After attending the University of Missouri on a wrestling scholarship, Tim returned to the family business at Seebold Powerboats. In 1993 he opened the doors of his own powersports business, Seebold Sports located at the Lake of the Ozarks,

Missouri, which became the largest Polaris watercraft dealer in the world for several years. Purchasing Seebold Racing from his father in 1998 specializing in the development, design, and manufacturing of racing boats and their related parts. For the next 10 years he would split his time between the two companies, eventually selling the powersports side of the business in 2014.

Creating the Formula 1 Powerboat Championship
Collaborating with John Schubert

In 2017, Seebold, alongside his lifelong friend John Schubert, created the NGK Spark Plugs Formula 1 Powerboat Championship, a national series designed to elevate the professionalism and exposure of the sport. As the managing director of this burgeoning championship, Seebold has leveraged his vast network of contacts and his deep understanding of the industry to drive the series’ continued growth and success. 

Under his leadership, the Formula 1 Powerboat Championship has expanded to new markets, secured new sponsorships, elevated media exposure, and provided racers with the necessary resources to reinvest in their equipment and pursue their dreams. Expanding the Championship in 2020, the AFPGP (Australian Formula Powerboat Grand Prix) Association adopted the rules and format of the championship.

Seebold’s unwavering dedication to the sport he loves, both as a competitor and an administrator, has cemented his status as a true visionary and trailblazer in the world of powerboat racing.

For more information on the Formula 1 Powerboat Championship visit https://f1powerboatchampionship.com/