The Michigan Motorsports Hall of Fame has announced the induction of former offshore powerboat racing champion Bob Kaiser as part of its Class of 2026. Kaiser's storied 14-year career in one of the most demanding forms of motorsports more than earns him a place alongside the state's racing heroes.
Kaiser, a Grosse Pointe, MI, native and longtime resident of the area, started with an 18' Donzi that he used to run against those in bigger boats, like 28 Magnums: "I'd try to keep up with them," he tells Speedboat. "I was going 60 and they were going 75. I just always wanted to go faster."
He recalls watching a race in 1982 featuring Betty Cook in the KAAMA boat, as well as the Popeye's team. "I just remember thinking, 'Man, I really want to do this. I gotta do this.' So I went into the Open Class with "Red" Crane for a couple years. I wanted to start winning big, so I started my own team."
He quickly became a dominant force in professional offshore racing. He began competing seriously in 1984, initially with throttleman Red Crane on the Chrysler Laser team, before launching his own Systems Offshore Racing Team in 1986. Teaming primarily with the skilled throttleman Errol Lanier, Kaiser piloted the iconic black Cougar catamaran to multiple national and world championships, including a US-1 Open Class National Championship in their debut season together. The duo set a world average speed record of 108 mph and secured 17 national victories during Kaiser's career, facing legendary competitors and racing hundreds of miles offshore in grueling conditions.
Known for his tall stature, movie-star good looks, bold driving style and "hard-charging" approach, Kaiser often pushed the limits with innovative setups and powerful engines. While that drive brought triumphs, it also taught hard lessons about durability. "I think I would have enjoyed even greater success if I had been a little more consistent and stuck with proven products—equipment that did not break," he says. "So my advice for future racers would be to go out there with something that you can finish the race in instead of something that was just a little bit faster and less durable."
Kaiser stepped away from competitive racing in 1997-98 after the birth of his daughter Julia. During a race with friend and fellow legend Steve Curtis, a moment of fear while airborne over a swell made him realize his priorities had shifted to family. He had also lost too many friends in the dangerous sport. He focused on his business interests, including the Gallagher-Kaiser Corporation, and raising his children—Julia, now involved in theater, and son Bobby, a former Division I hockey player.
Today, Kaiser has returned to the water with a fleet of high-performance MTI boats, including cats and center consoles, restored in his St. Clair Shores boathouse. He has no plans to race again ("I'm pretty beat up," he says), but cherishes the memories and lessons.
Hall of Fame President Dave DeHem, a 2025 inductee himself with deep ties to Michigan racing, praised the addition. "I'm very pleased to welcome people who represent motorsports, not necessarily those who use wheels and tires," DeHem said. Growing up on Lake St. Clair, he recalled the thrill of hearing offshore boats. "These offshore guys have traveled the world and have run in all kinds of different waters. I'll tell you what—they've got more courage than I do!"
The formal induction ceremony for the Class of 2026, which includes 10 inductees and three special award winners, is scheduled for Sunday afternoon, Nov. 1, 2026, at the University Comfort Inn in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan—a central location for the statewide organization. Events begin in the morning with lunch, followed by inductions around 12:30 p.m., concluding by 5 p.m. A casual meet-and-greet reception for the class and board members will take place the evening before on Saturday, October 31, at the Soaring Eagle Casino.
The Michigan Motorsports Hall of Fame, run entirely by volunteers including drivers, promoters, and officials, maintains displays at the Corrigan Oil Speedway in Lansing and Birch Run Speedway. It honors a broad spectrum of motorsports excellence across auto and boat racing.
Kaiser's enshrinement recognizes not only his on-water achievements but the spirit of innovation, resilience, and adventure that defined Michigan's contributions to offshore powerboat racing.