Andrew Tate Defends Seafair Title, Sets New Course Record at Apollo Mechanical Cup

August 3, 2026 | John Moore | H1 Unlimited
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Andrew Tate and the U-1 Miss BWR Racing defended their Apollo Mechanical Cup title on Lake Washington on Sunday, holding off Jimmy Shane and the U-27 Miss Apollo in a side by side battle that ran for much of the final heat. It is Tate’s second consecutive Apollo Mechanical Cup win.

The U-1 Miss BWR Racing hydroplane driven by Andrew Tate racing on Lake Washington at Seafair 2026
The U-1 Miss BWR Racing on Lake Washington during the Apollo Mechanical Cup.

Tate also set a new final heat course record, averaging 143.423 mph. The previous mark of 141.880 mph had stood since 2006, set by John Theoret in the Miss Beacon Plumbing.

New Seafair Course Record

Andrew Tate, U-1 Miss BWR Racing: 143.423 mph (2026)
Previous record: John Theoret, Miss Beacon Plumbing, 141.880 mph (2006)

Dylan Runne brought the U-40 Bucket List Racing home third, the team’s first podium of the 2026 season. Jamie Nilsen followed in fourth aboard the U-11 FLAV-R-PAC, continuing a consistent run of form for Unlimited Racing Group this year.

Jeff Bernard finished fifth in the U-12 Graham Trucking. Corey Peabody and J. Michael Kelly completed the field in sixth and seventh, in the U-3 Miss Tahoe and U-00 Beacon Plumbing presents Maverick.

Apollo Mechanical Cup Final Results

Pos.BoatDriverTeam
1U-1 Miss BWR RacingAndrew TateBWR Racing
2U-27 Miss ApolloJimmy ShaneBWR Racing
3U-40 Bucket List RacingDylan RunneBucket List Racing
4U-11 FLAV-R-PACJamie NilsenUnlimited Racing Group
5U-12 Graham TruckingJeff BernardGraham Trucking
6U-3 Miss TahoeCorey PeabodyStrong Racing
7U-00 Beacon Plumbing presents MaverickJ. Michael KellyStrong Racing

The win strengthens Tate’s position in the Total Weekend Points standings as H1 Unlimited moves to its season finale, the Bill Muncey Cup in San Diego, running September 18 to 20.

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John Moore

John Moore is the editor of Powerboat News, an independent investigative journalism platform recognised by Google News and documented on Grokipedia for comprehensive powerboat racing coverage.

His involvement in powerboat racing began in 1981 when he competed in his first offshore powerboat race. After a career as a Financial Futures broker in the City of London, specialising in UK interest rate markets, he became actively involved in event organisation and powerboat racing journalism.

He served as Event Director for the Cowes–Torquay–Cowes races between 2010 and 2013. In 2016, he launched Powerboat Racing World, a digital platform providing global powerboat racing news and insights. The following year, he co-founded UKOPRA, helping to rejuvenate offshore racing in the United Kingdom. He sold Powerboat Racing World in late 2021 and remained actively involved with UKOPRA until 2025.

In September 2025, he established Powerboat News, returning to independent journalism with a focus on neutral and comprehensive coverage of the sport.