Draft:RUFSTR Racing

The RUFSTR Racing offshore powerboat racing team was founded in 2014 by father-and-son duo Ken Salamone and EJ Salamone. RUFSTR Racing campaigns in races sanctioned by the American Power Boat Association and Offshore Powerboat Association (OPA) in Class 5 and has raced throughout the United States, Canada, and the Bahamas. As part of OPA Class 5, RUFSTR participates in bracket racing, whereby boats within Class 5 are limited to 30 feet in length, a single engine, an open cockpit, and a 75mph maximum speed enforced by onboard GPS.

Within the boat, Ken Salamone is the throttleman, who manages the speed of the boat, as well as adjustments to drive trim, trim tabs, and water ballast. EJ Salamone is the driver, who manages steering, handling, and navigation.

Team RUFSTR's first race was the 2014 OPA Atlantic City Grand Prix on June 22, 2014, where the team placed third. Team RUFSTR proceeded to win their first race at the 2015 OPA Seaside Heights Barnegat Bay Grand Prix on May 31, 2015.

RUFSTR #518
Class: 5

Builder: Superboat

Model: Y2K

Year: 2014

Materials: Fiberglass; foam core

Length: 30 feet

Weight: 5,400lbs (wet)

Engines: Saris Racing 572ci Big Block Chevrolet, naturally aspirated

Drive: Imco SCX

Bracket Class Limited Top Speed: 75mph

Status: Active

Accomplishments and Results
Following the 2014 racing season, driver EJ Salamone was awarded the Offshore Powerboat Association's "Rookie of the Year" award.

2014 Season
(Class 5: 12 teams in competition; RUFSTR finished third in points for the season)


 * Atlantic City Grand Prix: 3rd Place
 * St. Clair River Classic: 3rd Place
 * Port Huron International Powerboat Race: 3rd Place
 * Downtown Detroit River IPC: 3rd Place
 * Solomons Offshore Grand Prix (National and World Championship): 7th Overall
 * Race 1: 3rd Place
 * Race 2: 8th Place

2015 Season
(Class 5: 16 teams in competition; RUFSTR finished second in points for the season)


 * Seaside Heights Barnegat Bay Grand Prix: 1st Place
 * Atlantic City Grand Prix: 1st Place
 * Manasquan Grand Prix: 1st Place
 * St. Clair River Classic: 1st Place
 * Port Huron International Powerboat Race: 6th Place
 * Fall River Grand Prix: 4th Place
 * Englewood Beach Waterfest (National and World Championship): 8th Overall
 * Race 1: 6th Place
 * Race 2: 8th Place

2016 Season
(Class 5: 20 teams in competition; RUFSTR finished fourth in points for the season)


 * Point Pleasant Beach Grand Prix: 4th Place
 * Atlantic City Grand Prix: 4th Place
 * St. Clair River Classic: 2nd Place
 * Fall River Grand Prix: 7th Place
 * Lake Hopatcong Grand Prix: 4th Place
 * Englewood Beach Waterfest (National and World Championship): 3rd Overall
 * Race 1: 2nd Place
 * Race 2: 4th Place

2017 Season
(Class 5: 15 teams in competition; RUFSTR finished ninth in points for the season)


 * Resorts World Bimini Grand Prix: 1st Place
 * Point Pleasant Beach Grand Prix: Cancelled mid-race

2018 Season
(Class 5: 10 teams in competition; RUFSTR finished fifth in points for the season)


 * Point Pleasant Beach Grand Prix: 1st Place
 * Englewood Beach Waterfest (National and World Championship): 2nd Overall
 * Race 1: 1st Place
 * Race 2: 3rd Place

2021 Season
(Class 5: 18 teams in competition; RUFSTR finished fourteenth in points for the season)


 * St. Clair River Classic: 5th Place