Rum Runners Bracket 500 Team Changing Up Cockpit Crew

Inducted into the American Power Boat Association Hall of Champions in 2019 and 2021, Bracket 500-class racers throttleman Fran Vellutato and driver Mike McColgan of the Rum Runners team had an outstanding run together that began in 2017. Their accomplishments in Vellutato’s 26-foot Larry Smith Scarab V-bottom included world championships in 2020, 2021 and 2022, as well as national championships in 2019, 2021 and 2022.

Fran Vellutato, the owner and throttleman of the Rum Runners team, will share the cockpit with driver Tom Crowley this season. Photo by Tim Sharkey copyright Sharkey Images.

Now Vellutato and McColgan are going their separate ways and driver Tom Crowley is joining the Rum Runners team. Vellutato announced the cockpit change this morning.

Crowley started his offshore racing career as a driver with veteran throttlemany Randy Schleuss of Super V Lite Typhoon team fame. More recently, Crowley owned and throttled the 27-foot TC Marine Kryptonite V-bottom in the Bracket 500 class with driver Lou LaFerrera.

Once Bracket 500-class rivals, Fran Vellutato and Tom Crowley are teaming up for the 2024 season.

Starting with Thunder On Cocoa Beach May 17-19, Vellutato and Crowley, plan to run the remainder of the Florida Races in the American Power Boat Association Offshore National Championship Series. Once Bracket 500-class rivals, now they are teammates.

“I’m excited to run with Tom this year,” said Vellutato. “He’s a talented driver and I think we’re going to have a strong season.”

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Source: https://www.speedonthewater.com/rum-runners-bracket-600-team-changing-up-cockpit-crew/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rum-runners-bracket-600-team-changing-up-cockpit-crew

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