MEET THE TEAM
JERRY HOPP
OWNER
Jerry commenced racing in 1969 in A Stock hydro in the Pacific Northwest, swiftly progressing to the 145 hydro (2.5 stock), dominating the division. In 1995, he acquired a Grand National Hydro and shared driving duties with son Greg in the retired Unlimited Lights division for years.
In 2001, Jerry purchased the former UL-16 Alamo hull, transforming it into a supercharged blower motor. His dream of winning at Seafair in the Unlimited Lights class materialized in 2002. He secured numerous championships with Greg in Unlimited Lights and the APBA Grand Prix class. Jerry also competed in the top-tier inboard hydroplane class, the Unlimiteds. He qualified as a driver in 1983 in Seattle and gained sponsorship from the Oh Boy! Oberto sausage company during his two-year stint with Bill McFadden. Co-founding Thor Racing with Uncle Al Thoreson in 1986, he thrilled fans until 1992 with the U-7. Additionally, Jerry drove for Bob Fendler in 1993, Mike Jones in 1995, Fred Leland in 1997, and briefly in 2003.
Remaining active in hydro racing, Jerry currently owns the renowned GP-15 Happy Go Lucky in the Grand Prix America class. He holds several straightaway speed records and is affectionately known as the "World's Fastest Grandpa."
GREG HOPP
DRIVER
Greg began driving at the age of 9 in the Pacific Northwest, known for his aggressive style. Graduating from outboards to 1.5 hydro, then to 2.5 stock, he teamed up with father Jerry in the Unlimited Lights class from 1995 to 2009, securing multiple championships. Since 2010, he's been a constant presence in the Grand Prix America class, racing in the family-owned GP-15 Happy Go Lucky or Bob Schellhase's GP-12. Greg holds straightaway speed records in Grand Prix America and remains a crowd favorite and consistent front runner.
His chance in the Unlimiteds came in 1998 at Tri Cities, driving the U-7 United Furniture Warehouse and qualifying as a driver. In 1999, he had a standout Rookie season, finishing 3rd in points and scoring a record-breaking 10,000 points in a single season, even substituting for an injured Chip Hanauer in the Miss Pico for 2 races. He raced for Fred Leland from 1999 to 2012 in the renowned U-100. In 2013 and 2014, he piloted for Jay Leckrone and Denise Garl respectively, in the U-12 Miss DiJulio. His last Unlimited race was in 2017 for Stacy Briseno in the U-99.9 KISW Miss Rock in Seattle. Greg maximizes the potential of every boat he's in, showcasing his skills consistently.
DAN RADER
CREW CHIEF
Having commenced racing in the years spanning 2000 to 2012 under the guidance of Fred Leland, Dan's journey continued as he transitioned to collaborate with various distinguished Unlimited teams in the subsequent years.
