Episode 73 - Mary Rife Drag Boat Racer and Fastest Woman on Water

In this episode of Powerboat Talk, we sit down with drag boat racing pioneer Mary Rife, the first woman ever licensed to drive a Blown Fuel Hydro and the only woman in history to surpass 200 mph in a boat. Long before women became common in motorsports, Rife was competing head-to-head against the sport's best drivers in one of the most dangerous classes in racing.

Often described as drag boat racing's answer to Shirley Muldowney, Rife built an extraordinary career spanning almost two decades without a major accident. In the episode, Rife talks about how the purchase she and her husband made of a 48-mph, 16-foot boat powered by an 85-hp Mercury outboard led to her quest for speed on the water.

The purchase of a Holman & Moody-powered Kindsvater flatbottom came next and led the Rifes to their first time on a liquid drag strip. When Rife outqualified her husband at that first race at Lake Ming in Bakersfield, California, it earned her a place in the driver's seat, one she never relinquished.

In 1973, the couple purchased a Howard hydro hull, rigged it in their garage, and named it Proud Mary after the Creedence Clearwater Revival hit song. The Rifes fit the boat with a blown 392 Chrysler Hemi and ran it on nitro, which Mary drove to its first pass of 155 mph.

An upgrade to a Keith Black 426 Hemi led Rife down the path to a list of career accomplishments that included a 206-mph pass, winning the 1978 NDBA Nationals at Firebird, earning Driver of the Year honors in 1977, appearing on national television with Billie Jean King, and even taking racing legend Mario Andretti for a 168-mph ride across Long Beach Marine Stadium.

Rife also shares the remarkable story of losing and later recovering Proud Mary, and the painstaking restoration that returned one of drag boat racing's most famous machines to its former glory.

Follow Mary Rife on Facebook @Mary Rife McCally

Visit our website at www.powerboattalk.com

View the video for this episode: www.youtube.com/@powerboat_talk

Contact me: powerboattalk@gmail.com

Denne episoden er hentet fra en åpen RSS-feed og er ikke publisert av Podme. Den kan derfor inneholde annonser.

Episoder(76)

Episode 76 - Tony Scarlata Drag Boat Racing Legend

In this episode of Powerboat Talk, we sit down with Tony Scarlata, Southern California boat racer and hot boat enthusiast who is famous for driving some of the most recognizable and successful Top Alc...

18 Aug 1h 9min

Episode 75 - Bob Wartinger Outboard Racing's Record Man

In this episode of Powerboat Talk, we visit with Bob Wartinger, one of the most accomplished powerboat racers of all time. With 148 world and national records to his credit, Wartinger has spent more t...

23 Jul 1h 38min

Episode 74 - Harlan Orrin The Wood Craftsman Behind Legendary Performance Boats

Harlan Orrin is a true legend in the West Coast performance boating world, with more than 60 years of hands-on experience designing and building molds, hulls, and custom wood decks. His roots in boat ...

7 Jul 1h 58min

Episode 72 - John Connor Offshore Racing Legend and Genius Innovator

In this episode of Powerboat Talk, we sit down with offshore racing legend John Connor to explore a career that helped define the sport's golden era. As throttleman and crew chief for Paul and Betty C...

27 Mai 1h 2min

Episode 71 - Cade Wilson Owner of Sterling Engines

In this episode of Powerboat Talk, we sit down with Cade Wilson, the new owner of Sterling Engines, a name deeply rooted in offshore racing history. After a successful corporate career and a leadershi...

20 Mai 1h 9min

Episode 70 - Ty Newton Flatbottom K-boat Racer

In this episode of Powerboat Talk, we sit down with veteran flatbottom K-boat driver Ty Newton of Phoenix, Arizona, a multi-time national champion and member of the American Power Boat Association Hal...

6 Mai 1h 18min

Episode 69 - Dave Villwock Unlimited Hydroplane Racing Legend

In this episode, recorded before the 2025 racing season, we sit down with Dave Villwock, the most successful driver in Unlimited Hydroplane racing history. At the time, Villwock had amassed 67 career ...

28 Apr 1h 59min