Offshore Racer And Event Insurance Man, Rick Felsen Gone At Age 76 – Speed on the Water
Though details are still emerging, the American Power Boat Association is reporting that former offshore powerboat racer Rick Felsen, the president of Hawk Race Consultants based in Westbury, N.Y. has died. He was 76 years old.
Offshore racers from back in the day, Charlie Marks, Tim Sharkey and Rick Felsen (right) shared a moment during an event in New Jersey. Photo courtesy Tim Sharkey/Sharkey Images.
Hawk Race Consultants specialized in securing insurance for offshore powerboat races and other motorsports.
“Rick spent his early years with the association as an offshore racer with his team, High Risk,” a post that went live today on the APBA Facebook page read. “He eventually became the Offshore committee chair and showed his dedication to all facets of boat racing by investing his time to ensure the best possible insurance coverage for the members. Over time, Rick became a close friend to our office staff and membership. He was truly one-of-a-kind, and he will be missed. Race in peace.”
Longtime fans of offshore racing will remember High Risk, a 32-foot Skater catamaran owned and campaigned by the well-known event insurance man. With Felsen in the cockpit, the cat won multiple national and world titles from 1988—the year it was built—to 2005 in the Pro Stock class.
“Rick drove his High Risk 32 Skater on the edge and held many offshore racing titles,” said Tim Sharkey of Sharkey Images, a former offshore racer who became a high-performance photographer. “It was privilege to be on the same racecourse as him back in my racing days.
“Rick was a true professional and competitor,” he added. “He will be missed by many.”
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