Mercer Island is not just the place where I grew up watching hydroplanes with wide eyes and collecting Seafair Programs, but the place where my story, and the people who shaped it, began. On summer mornings, before the lake was crowded and before the grown‑ups were awake, we could already hear the hydroplanes in the distance. That sound carried across Lake Washington like a promise.

For me, it meant running outside with friends, staring across the water. I never thought I would have the opportunity to sit behind the wheel of one of those boats. It was just a dream. But small communities have a way of holding onto your dreams for you.

This year, I’m preparing to make history as the first Black driver qualified to compete in an Unlimited Hydroplane. And as meaningful as that milestone is, this story isn’t just about history and competing.

It’s about friendship. Community. Loss. Second chances. And a group of Islanders who each somehow found a way to be a part of this story.

Roots That Run Across the Island

My family’s connection to Mercer Island goes back decades. My mom, Annie Hall, taught at Lakeridge Elementary and Islander Middle School, retiring after 30+ years of service. My brother, Hayden Hall, who we lost to lymphoma last Fourth of July, taught math at Hamlin Robinson School, was a regular in Fran Call’s outdoor fitness class, and played tenor sax in the Mercer Island High School band. He was also a fixture in the Mercer Island community through music. As a mobile DJ in business since 1989, he has DJ’d dances, bar mitzvahs, bat mitzvahs, and other events for countless families over the years, creating the soundtrack for people’s milestones.

Our house sat close enough to the water that I could hear the Seafair boats before I could see them. As a kid, I’d press my face to the window or run out on the deck just to catch a glimpse. Those early memories planted a dream that took years, setbacks, and a whole lot of grit to chase down.

And it didn’t follow a straight line. It started with radio-controlled hydroplanes as a teen and working as a crew member for Harold Mills in 2005. Harold later became my mentor when I started racing in 2008 at the age of 36. 

But in 2018, everything stopped. I was diagnosed with kidney cancer. Suddenly, life wasn’t about racing or plans; it was about perspective. But I'm happy to say that after more than two years of immunotherapy at Fred Hutch, the cancer is gone. That experience reshaped everything for me - the way I look at time, opportunity, setbacks, and what it really means to keep moving forward.

And somehow, Mercer Island was still part of the story.

The Friends Who Became Teammates Again

The people standing with me today, many of them Mercer Island friends who knew me long before the helmets, the cameras, or the history‑making headlines, are what make this summer special. They represent a decade of shared life, trust earned over time, and friendships that never disappear. It's a mini reunion with purpose.

Greg Rosenwald - Compass Real Estate

Long before he became one of Mercer Island’s most respected real estate professionals, Greg was the guy everyone leaned on when things got complicated. He has a rare ability to slow the moment down, see clearly, and make smart decisions without ego. That’s how he built successful companies early in his career, and it’s how he now guides families through major life transitions. On this team, Greg provides exactly what he always has -clarity, integrity, and leadership when it matters most.

Bryan Mazza, Mazza Financial Group 

He has spent more than three decades helping people think long-term, about families, futures, and legacies. Even back then, Bryan was never caught up in the noise of the moment. He’s the one who could see five steps ahead, even when the path wasn’t obvious. That perspective is invaluable in a motorsport where success is as much about patience and planning as it is raw performance. Bryan brings wisdom, steadiness, and belief when the timeline stretches longer than expected.

Brad Brotherton, Brotherton Cadillac

I’ve known Brad long enough to trust the way he moves: quietly, consistently, and with heart. He’s never needed the spotlight to lead; he’s always been the guy who helps carry the weight when the moment matters. And when you think about what Cadillac represents - performance, design, and pushing the limits - it’s not a stretch to imagine that same spirit backing hydroplane racing, where the water becomes a runway, and the community becomes the crew.

Matt Galvin, Pagliacci Pizza

He has always been the guy behind the scenes, making complex things look simple. Over the years, he built a career solving hard operational problems, quietly creating systems that work under pressure. Matt doesn’t chase attention; he chases execution. In a sport where details decide outcomes, his ability to bring order, structure, and calm has been invaluable. When things need to get done, Matt is already halfway there.

Chris Bailey, Mona Bailey Academy,

Chris, a Mercer Island original, is the glue. He’s built a successful career in technical recruiting, but what truly defines Chris is connection. He brings people together effortlessly, reigniting friendships and creating momentum wherever he goes. His energy reminds all of us why this started in the first place, because it’s fun, because it matters, and because it’s better when shared.

Rob Graham of Graham Trucking represents something even deeper - legacy. Rob learned hydroplane racing not from a distance, but from the shoreline, the pits, and the people who built the sport in the Pacific Northwest. Graham Trucking has been a longtime, deeply respected supporter of hydroplane racing, showing up year after year when others came and went. Rob understands this sport in his bones - the sacrifice, the expense, the heartbreak, and the magic of watching a boat fly across the water. Having Rob fully reengaged in this season feels like reconnecting the roots to the present. His belief in this effort isn’t transactional; it’s personal. It’s about honoring what hydroplane racing has always meant to this region and helping carry it forward.

And then there’s Hill Harper - actor, author, humanitarian, and a lifelong advocate for health equity and education. 

Hill’s decades-long support of the V Foundation for Cancer Research adds a powerful through line to this story. His connection to our mission extends far beyond motorsport. Hill sees this journey for what it truly is - a platform. A chance to uplift, inspire, and make something meaningful out of both loss and opportunity. His presence feels less like a collaboration and more like destiny showing up on time. Now an Islander too, Hill will host a sponsorship community event at Asa Gathering in the summer.   

Somehow, all our paths - careers, families, successes, and heartbreaks - converged again when it mattered 

most. We’re working together as teammates - at 180+ mph on Lake Washington.

Support from home and work family

Elsa, my wife, along with my son, Brent Jr., form the foundation of my support system. We now live in Bothell, but Mercer Island remains a regular part of our lives, as Brent Jr.’s travel basketball team practices there frequently. Elsa, a nurse, has been a constant source of encouragement, supporting both of her “guys” as we pursue our dreams. 

While hydroplane racing demands significant time and focus, I work full-time in the healthcare industry, where I’ve served as a Director for the past seven years in Technology and Operations. My colleagues have been incredibly supportive of my racing journey, even helping create promotional videos and sharing updates with employees along the way.

The Underdog Boat With a Bigger Mission

Unlimited Hydroplane racing isn’t a small endeavor. It takes millions to compete at the highest level. We’re not the biggest team. We’re not the most funded. We’re not the flashiest. We’re the underdog. Seafair in Seattle and the Tri‑Cities Water Follies are where you feel it, the sound, the speed, the energy - and our boat carries the mission of the V Foundation for Cancer Research.  And here’s the part most people never see: the grind. Every nut. Every bolt. Every late night. Every early morning. The thousands of hours poured into a machine that only touches the water for minutes at a time. 

One More Lap

Back in 2023, I was one lap away from qualifying in an Unlimited Hydroplane. And the boat failed. Temperature gauges started spiking, and smoke billowed into the capsule. They towed me in. It was devastating. But I have learned many life lessons, and one of the biggest ones is to keep moving forward.

That day reminded me how important one more lap really is. One more lap when things don’t go your way.

One more lap in life, family, community. Sometimes, the difference between almost and history is just one more lap.

Be Part of the Story

The boat will be on display at the Mercer Island Summer Celebration on July 11th. I'm signing autographs, there will be swag giveaways, and a hydroplane simulator will be on display. Find us right in front of Pagliacci Pizza and come and say "Hi".