“This was my worst one I’ve ever done.”
Billy Tew didn’t ease into the conversation. Before the formalities were even out of the way, the HydroDrags showrunner had already summed up his assessment of the Memorial Day weekend event at Sunset Cove Amphitheater in Boca Raton, Florida — a weekend that delivered record-setting performances on the water, but came with significant logistical and operational challenges behind the scenes.
The event, part of the IHRA Pro Watercraft Series HydroDrags program, was impacted by a combination of holiday weekend traffic, regional recreational boating activity, extreme heat, and venue coordination issues that Tew said made execution far more difficult than anticipated.
Despite the challenges, competition still pushed forward at a high level, with multiple records set across several categories and a compressed run format that accelerated the pace of Speed Alley competition. Officials confirmed all results were properly teched and validated.
Records and results highlight competitive weekend
Even with operational difficulties, the on-water action produced standout performances across multiple divisions.
Pro Stock
Rene Medrano
LMR Sr. (Luis Marine Racing)
Zach Wright
Pro Spec
Harold Ramos
Turbo No Nitrous
Cuco
Joey Jimenez
Alberth Davila
Juniors
Rane Richards
Aliyah Lineda
Maci Comis
Sea-Doo vs Sea-Doo
Harold Ramos
LMR Jr. (Luis Marine Racing)
LMR Sr. (Luis Marine Racing)
Super Stock
Ulises Marrero
Harold Ramos
Unlimited
Joseph Jimenez
Harold Ramos
Moises “Tito” Reyna
Runabout Drag Slaloms
Brent Weston
Joey Jimenez
Bryan Brewster
Speed Alley also saw notable benchmark performances, including Jose Luis Hernandez reaching 119 mph in Super Stock, Robert Perez topping 125 mph in Turbo No Nitrous, and Tin Man posting 94 mph in the Sea-Doo category. The Unlimited benchmark remains 147 mph, held by CRT Racing from a previous event.
Safety incidents shape discussion moving forward
The weekend also included multiple on-water incidents that prompted renewed discussion around rider safety and equipment use, including neck and back protection. Tew noted that while racing incidents are an expected part of high-speed competition, the events underscored the importance of continued safety development as the program grows.
One incident in particular required emergency attention on-site, with medical response teams transporting a rider for further evaluation. Tew later confirmed the rider sustained injuries but was conscious and in stable condition.
Even amid the challenges, Tew pointed to moments that cut through the frustration.
At one point during the weekend, a young fan came up to him after racing had wrapped for the day.
“When you’ve got a four-year-old girl that comes up and hugs the side of your leg and says she had a great weekend, that’s what counts,” Tew said.
For all the logistics, heat, and operational strain, he said moments like that served as a reminder of why the effort continues to matter beyond lap times and results sheets.
From sound tech to series promoter
For Tew, the weekend carried a deeper personal reflection beyond results and logistics. Once known primarily for working behind the scenes as a sound technician, he gradually moved into racing, then organizing, and eventually assumed full responsibility for the HydroDrags program.
That progression, he said, ultimately led to a difficult realization.
“My head is not there when I race my series,” Tew said, reflecting on a run where mechanical issues ended what would have otherwise been a routine pass. “It was my mistake… I didn’t need to push it.”
Following that experience, Tew confirmed he will be stepping away from competing in HydroDrags events to focus fully on promotion, logistics, and continued development of the series.
“It hurts,” he said. “But I’ve got a lot of people to take care of now. I need to focus on putting the show on.”
IHRA support and operational improvements
Tew credited the responsiveness of sanctioning support under the IHRA structure, noting that last-minute insurance and venue adjustments were resolved quickly in the days leading into the event. He contrasted that responsiveness with previous experiences, saying the streamlined communication helped prevent more serious disruptions.
Additional support from sponsors and partners, including FuelTech, also played a role in maintaining event continuity, particularly in technical and infrastructure areas.
Looking ahead to November
Despite a difficult weekend, HydroDrags is already preparing for its next event, scheduled for November 21–22 at Sunset Cove Amphitheater. Tew said the offseason window will be used to refine logistics, adjust scheduling considerations, and incorporate lessons learned from the Memorial Day event.
“We’ve got six months to make changes,” he said. “We’ll be better next time.”
For Tew, the weekend ultimately reinforced both the challenges and the growth of the program — a reminder that even as speeds increase and records fall, the foundation of the sport still depends on execution behind the scenes.
Complete class results and additional coverage from HydroDrags and other PWC racing series are available in this week’s WCJ Weekly Racing Roundup.
