Super Stock-Class ‘Rainmaker’ Looking For A Ride

If the 2025 offshore racing season started today, veteran Super Stock-class throttleman Ryan Beckley would be a spectator. For the first time in 32 years, Beckley is without a team—and there isn’t a lot time to find one. The Thunder On Cocoa Beach season-opener is set for May 15-18. Most teams are ready to start testing, if they haven’t already.

“I thought something was going to materialize but it didn’t,” Beckley said yesterday during lunch with photographer Pete Boden and their longtime friend, Chris LaMorte. “It just went another direction.”

A veteran Super Stock-class throttleman, Ryan Beckley is looking for a team to join this season. Photo by Cole McGowan copyright Powerboat P1.

The owner of the Kinetic Animation graphics shop in Bradenton, Fla., Beckley introduced a slew of drivers to the Super Stock ranks when he owned a since-sold 30-foot canopied Skater Powerboats catamaran he purchased in 2006. His DoublEdge Motorsports program was simple: The Skater’s driver seat was “for sale” to would-be Super Stock competitors.

Beckley, in turn, brought the boat, the hauler and equipment—plus a world of experience to share. He handled throttling and team management. At most events, he also brought sponsor backing to help his cockpit-mate/client defray the significant costs of offshore racing.

When it comes to introducing people to the Super Stock class, Beckley has a been a significant rainmaker. South Florida’s Chris Hopgood, now the owner/driver of the CELSIUS raceboat, is among those he introduced to the sport. For part of the 2021 season, he joined Beckley in the cockpit of his Skater, which he sold before the 2022 season began.

“Ryan is a consummate professional and he has introduced countless racers to the sport, including me,” Hopgood said. “He is an asset to any team looking for an accomplished throttleman.”

Hopgood and Beckley ran together in Hopgood’s 32-foot Doug Wright catamaran for the 2022 and 2023 seasons before parting ways. Owned by Beckley protégé Tanner Lewis, the 32-footer Beckley ran last season with then-novice driver Conner Toomey is no longer available.

Said Hopgood (left), “Ryan is a consummate professional and has introduced countless racers to the sport, including me.”

So Beckley is at present a man without a team.

“We are getting close to the season and as of right now I will be standing on the beach,” he said. “Hopefully, I’ll find a ride in Super Stock but I wouldn’t be opposed to Super Cat. I would prefer to throttle, but I’d consider driving for the right person or boat.

“I am not saying no to anything right now,” he added, then paused. “After 32 years of racing, this kind of hurts a little bit. But I’m ready to go.”