The International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) today announced the appointment of Bob Teague as Chief Referee and Gary Stray as Chief Inspector for the IHRA Offshore Powerboat Series, strengthening race operations and technical oversight as the organization continues building a professional, unified future for offshore racing.
The appointments bring decades of experience across officiating, race operations, boat construction, and technical enforcement; reinforcing IHRA’s focus on consistency, transparency, and long-term growth within the sport.
Leadership in Race Control: Teague brings more than 50 years of offshore racing experience to the Chief Referee role, having served in nearly every capacity within the sport, including racer, official, rule contributor, and race organizer. A former president of Pacific Offshore for more than a decade, Teague has overseen numerous events annually and understands the operational demands placed on teams, officials, and promoters alike.
“Offshore racing needs consistency and leadership that understands the sport from every angle,” said Teague. “IHRA’s vision and investment show a real commitment to moving offshore racing forward. My goal is to help deliver a fair, professional race environment where teams know what to expect and competition is decided on the water.”
Teague emphasized that enforcement and consistency will be central to this role.
“Tough calls are sometimes required, but they’re necessary to elevate the sport,” he said. “IHRA is building a strong staff that’s focused on doing things the right way, and I’m proud to be part of that effort.”
Technical Oversight and Innovation: Stray, IHRA's Chief Inspector for the IHRA Offshore Powerboat Series, brings more than four decades of experience racing, building and engineering offshore powerboats at the highest levels. His background includes extensive work with elite offshore teams such as the UAE Victory Team and Miss GEICO.
“This is one of those rare opportunities where real change is possible,” Stray said. “IHRA is investing in offshore racing in a way that allows it to evolve, not repeat the same patterns. IHRA leadership is open to innovation, and that’s what makes this opportunity exciting.”
“Our focus is on setting defined technical standards, enforcing them evenly, and removing ambiguity,” he added. “At the same time, we’re working toward introducing more data and technology into the sport that benefits teams, fans, and partners while helping offshore racing grow.”
Building the Future of Offshore Racing: The appointments of Teague and Stray represent a key milestone in IHRA’s offshore strategy as the organization continues to professionalize operations, improve the racer experience, and strengthen offshore racing’s national platform.
“This is a big win for IHRA to be able to have Bob and Gary come onboard leading their respective teams,” said Tommy Thomassie, Director of Powerboating for IHRA. “We also plan to provide them everything they need to make enormous positive impacts both in the short and long term.”
Founded to be racer-focused and fan-driven, IHRA is a premier motorsports sanctioning body overseeing multiple racing disciplines, including drag racing, powerboating, stock cars, snowmobiles, and more.