Buis And Buis Heading To Golden-Anniversary APBA Hall Of Champions

When offshore racers Nick Buis and his 16-year-old son, Owen, are inducted during 50th annual American Power Boat Association Hall of Champions celebration alongside their cockpit-mates J.J. Turk and Ricky Harmeyer, they will be the first father-and-son duo to earn the distinction in the same season. What’s more, they did it on different teams, both of which were backed by XINSURANCE.

The induction ceremony is set for Saturday January 25, the final night of the APBA annual meetings in Reno, Nev.,

Owen Buis and Ricky Harmeyer earned checked flags in both races during the Race World Offshore Key West Championships earlier this month. Action photos by Pete Boden copyright Shoot 2 Thrill Pix.

The elder Buis, who owns Statement Marine in Clearwater, Fla., ran in the Mod V and Bracket 500 classes with Turk, whose son, Cameron, earned the honor during the 2023 season. Buis and Turk claimed national and world titles this year in the Mod V class and a national championship in the Bracket 500 category.

Sharing the cockpit of a Bracket 700-class raceboat with Harmeyer, Owen Buis ended the regular 2024 season with a national title. Earlier this month, the pair backed it up with a world championship in Key West, Fla.

The next stop on their offshore racing adventure for Nick and Owen Buis is the APBA Hall of Champions celebration in January.

Under the watchful and sometimes anxious eyes of Priscilla Buis—Nick’s wife and Owen’s mother—the family entered the sport just two years ago.

“I didn’t expect this at all,” said the senior Buis, who is 40 years older than his son. “I am very excited about it.”

Added his ever-laidback lad, “Looks like we’re going to Reno. It’s going to be a fun trip.”

After spinning out the in first Key West race, Buis and Turk came back two days later to earn the Mod V-class world title.

The APBA Hall of Champions induction will be a first for J.J. Turk, a veteran of the sport and one its biggest boosters. The honor caps what has been a remarkable season for the Cocoa Beach, Fla., resident.

“First and foremost I want to thank Rick and Parker Lindsey, and the entire XINSURANCE offshore racing Family,” he said. “Without them racing would not be the same. What they have done for Turk Family Racing and offshore racing and offshore racing in general is truly astonishing. To achieve what we have together is truly a blessing.

Soon to be members of the APBA Hall of Fame, J.J. Turk and Nick Buis shared the cockpit in two classes this year.

“Nick is a great teammate and one hell of a throttleman,” he continued. “All of us at Turk Family Racing want to thank Nick and Priscilla, Owen Kaitlyn and Ricky Harmeyer, Jeff our crew chief, Marky Mark, captain Mark, and the rest of the Statement crew for all they have done for us and making the 2024 season so special.”

Harmeyer put the 2024 season—and the family’s achievement after just two full seasons in the sport—into perspective as well.

“It was a lot of hard work, and a lot of fun,” he said. “I am glad we were able to end up on top for both the nationals and worlds.

“I’m proud to be inducted with my brother-in-law and father-in law,” he continued. “It’s definitely a huge accomplishment, not only individually but also for the team and family. I can’t wait to see what’s coming next year.”

The XINSURANCE-backed Bracket and Mod V teams had an outstanding 2024 season.

Said Turk, “I also want to give a special thanks to my family for an incredibly successful 2024 season. Those accolades go to mom Turk, Keriann Turk, Cameron Turk, Kylee Turk, Judy Turk, Billy and Erica stroud, Shannon and Toni Rice, Kramer, Dave and Ali Kabboord and Jimmy and Bill at Advanced Cylinder heads in Orlando.

“I also would like to dedicate this season to my Dad,’Big John,’” he added. “Reno, here we come, baby.”