John O'Brien's passion for hydroplanes started in the early sixties while growing up near the Stan Sayres hydroplane pits, in Seattle. John and a group of childhood friends formed the hydroplane team of Thunder Valley Racing in 1991. This group competed on the international circuit of the Unlimited Light Hydroplane Racing Association until 2007.

In 1996, this same group founded the Tastin' N Racin' hydroplane festival held annually on Lake Sammamish, in Issaquah.

In July of 2000, John combined his racing knowledge and legal talents to help form and legitimize the Unlimited Light Hydroplane Racing Association, the governing and contractual corporation for the hydroplanes affectionately known as the "ULs".

In 2007, after selling his interest in the unlimited light, John and a core group of Thunder Valley, joined forces with Nate Brown's new team, Our Gang Racing to build the newest unlimited hydroplane on the circuit, the U-17. The group met there goal of completing the craft in 6 months with its maiden launch at Seafair, August 2007.

John's Hydro Links:

• Unlimited Light Hydroplane Racing Association
• Thunder Valley Racing Team
• Tastin' N Racin' Hydroplane Festival
• Seattle Times article: Boys who loved hydros' roar grow up to race own boat
• This music video by Matt Stannard follows the U-17, Miss Red Dot in Seattle this year (2007). Matt is the sports photographer at KOMO-TV.
• KOMO television news coverage of the making of the U-17, Miss Red Dot. February thru August 2007.
• Our Gang Racing