By Stephen Appezzato
RUMSON – Rumson native Dylan Runne completed his first season at the helm of the U-1 Miss HomeStreet boat, a high-speed hydroplane that races in the H1 Unlimited boat racing series.
“It was a year of learning – how to drive the biggest and fastest race boats in the world and learning how to compete with the best in the world,” Runne said.
The U-1 Miss HomeStreet is part of the Miss Madison Racing fleet. Last year it was announced that Runne would become the 24th driver of the U-1 Miss HomeStreet for the 2023 racing season, which ended earlier this month.
“I think it was a good season,” Runne said, adding that he appreciated the support of sponsors and noting the team has put itself “in a good position for next year.”
The 28-year-old Rumson native is famous among boat racing fans, having competed in 22 racing seasons. Runne began boating at just 9 years old and is a third-generation boat racer. He started his racing career driving outboard boats, progressing through the ranks and different racing series. In 2017 he switched to in-board boat racing. That same year he was named Hydroplane Racing League Rookie of the Year. Runne is a national champion across different American and Canadian racing categories. This summer he competed in four hydroplane races, managing to win one heat in his inaugural H1 Unlimited season.
“It was an honor to drive the Miss HomeStreet and an honor to race in the H1 Unlimited Series,” he said.
Hydroplane racing is an intense water sport where drivers race specially designed motor boats that essentially fly above the water surface at high speeds due to the hull shape and planing forces. While racing, the majority of the boat glides above the water, known as foiling. Hydroplanes are capable of exceeding 200 miles per hour on straightaways.
The Miss Madison Racing Team was founded in 1961 in Madison, Indiana, and is the longest-running continuous team in hydroplane racing.
H1 Unlimited is an American hydroplane racing league sanctioned by the American Power Boat Association. Since 1946, the league has hosted an array of highspeed boats that push the boundaries of boat racing technology. Runne is one of just 10 talented hydroplane drivers in the H1 Unlimited circuit.
The article originally appeared in the August 17 – 23, 2023 print edition of The Two River Times.
