Cocoa, Fla. native and outboard racing sensation Becky Nichols began her 2012 racing season with a bang, earning two first place finishes at The American Powerboat Association’s Winter Nationals. The race, held from April 6 to 8 in Lakeland, Fla. was the season opener for the entire country and featured the top drivers from all across The United States.
Competing in the highly competitive AX Runabout class, Nichols, who is barely old enough to drive a car, piloted her 10 foot plywood hull powered by a 15 hp Mercury engine to speeds over 50 mph on the ¾ mile oval. Nichols used a combination of speed, smart starting and nerves of steel to overcome a packed field of seasoned veterans; including past National Champions Grant Hearn and Logan Sweeney. Nichols scored back-to-back wins in the two heat race to claim the victory and bring the Winter National Title back home to Cocoa.
Utilizing a flying start on a one minute countdown clock, drivers entered the starting chute with nearly 15 seconds remaining and attempted to hit the starting line at top speed just as the clock hit zero. Any boat crossing the line before zero is automatically disqualified.
“I hit some good starts,” Nichols said after accepting her oversized trophy from race director Tom Nuccio. “In the first heat some of the other drivers got in the chute early and had to back it down on the line to stay legal. I laid back until I knew it was hammer time. I hit the line at full speed which put me in the lead right from the start.”
Nichols began her racing career in the Junior Division when she was only 10-years-old. Receiving the guidance of her father and mechanic Howie and her grandfather and crew chief Pete, Becky has quickly become one of the premier young drivers on the APBA racing circuit.
The win gives Nichols a big jump on the season long points battle. She will now spend the summer traveling with her family to races all over the east coast, concluding her race season with a trip to The U.S. National Championship in Grass Lake, Mich. in August to once again take on the toughest competition in the country.
Race fans and fast boat enthusiasts can follow Becky and all the other high speed excitement at www.apba-racing.com. Unity Flagstaff Reporting