Nate Brown ends driving career

Nate Brown Ends Driving Career

August 05, 2007 -- SEATTLE--The Chevrolet Cup at Seafair was the first race for the new Miss Red Dot boat but the last race for driver Nate Brown (Preston, Wash.). When he jumped out of the cockpit of the Miss Red Dot on Lake Washington Sunday afternoon, he not only ended his day of racing, he also ended his career as a driver in unlimited hydroplane racing that dated back to 1992.

Brown placed second in his final heat of action, losing out to Ken Muscatel in the Miss Procraft Windows in the Provisional Heat. Brown led Muscatel down the backstretch of the first lap but the new boat still needs some work through the corners. Those problems easily allowed Muscatel to take the heat and advance to the championship final winner-take-all heat. As an unlimited driver, Brown was named rookie of the year in 1992 driving the Miss Rock. In 2001, he drove the Elam to victory in Seattle and set a world speed record in San Diego. In 2004, Brown won the Gold Cup.

The name Brown will remain driving the boat, but this time it will be his nephew Kip Brown.

Kip (Maple Velly, Wash.) has been racing competitively since 1995. His experience as a driver includes 2.5 Stock, 2.5 Mod, 5 Liter, E-Racing Runabout, Super Stock Runabout, and Pro Stock Runabout. Some of Kip's racing accomplishments include: Rookie of the Year, Seattle Drag and Ski; Inspirational Award, Seattle Drag and Ski; Neil Yapachino Award Winner, Spanaway Regatta; Sportsman Award, Tacoma Inboard; 3 time High Point Champion, E-Racing Runabout; 2nd place, APBA National High Point, Pro Stock Runabout; 3/4 Mile Course World Record, NBRA Outlaw Flatbottom; 1 Mile Course World Record, NBRA Outlaw Flatbottom; and Officer and Board Member for Tacoma Inboard and Seattle Drag and Ski.

-credit: abra