FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 20, 2005
Contact: Nelson Holmberg (nelson@noslencommunication.com) (360) 521-1590

Superior Racing Team Biographies

DR. KEN MUSCATEL, Owner/Driver
Known as the “World’s Fastest Forensic Psychologist,” Dr. Ken Muscatel is the owner and driver of the Superior Racing Team’s U-25 unlimited hydroplane.

He’s not only the sport’s lone owner/driver, he’s also as big a part of hydroplane racing as some big red boat is. Dr. Ken is quite literally the driving force behind Superior Racing team.

Muscatel has been driving unlimited hydroplanes since 1990 when he moved up from success in the limited ranks to become driver of the Miss Northwest, owned by Tim Donnery and Dave Culley. Muscatel wasn’t shy, either. The Miss Northwest was once the famous Griffon Bud, and in its day, was one of the fastest boats in the unlimited ranks.

In 1991, Muscatel was chosen URC Rookie of the Year while driving the Jackpot Food Mart for Bob Fendler. It wasn’t until 1993 that Dr. Ken founded Superior Racing Team and was off on his own.

Since then, Muscatel has achieved more than most in the sport. He has served as the URC commissioner, and as president of the Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum (HARM) board of directors. Dr. Ken’s team also holds the world’s 1-mile straightaway speed record at 205.494 miles per hour.

He also owns and drives several vintage hydroplanes, including the replica Hawaii Kai III.

ROGER NEWTON, Crew Chief
While he’s not actually a hydroplane driver, Roger Newton is a success story in hydroplane racing. He’s achieved the little boy’s dream of one day racing an unlimited hydroplane, and he’s taken an interesting route to get there.

Newton joined Ken Muscatel's Superior Racing Team in 1994, and was named crew chief of the U-25 team in 2000. The retired Renton firefighter has served on unlimited crews including Miss Budweiser, Winston Eagle, Oh Boy! Oberto, and Superior Racing Team.

Newton also was instrumental in bringing Circus Circus into the sport back in 1978, which is where he wet his feet in the real unlimiteds. He’s currently a member of the board of directors at the Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum in Kent.

Newton is the man who founded R/C Unlimiteds, a 31-year old club that still races 1/8-scale radio controlled models of unlimited hydroplanes, and duplicates the real thing as closely as possible. He was the driving force in the creation of the sport, and the club, which is widely regarded across the nation.

— U-25 —

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