Once the U-17 Red Dot is finished, it will be Nate Brown and then Kip Brown driving - NBC Right Now/KNDO/KNDU Tri-Cities, Yakima, WA |

We watched the U-17 Red Dot being built all weekend in the pits in the Tri-Cities. Owner Nate Brown says he wants to drive one more race before turning over the reins to nephew, Kip. That may happen as soon as San Diego if the boat is ready and runs for Nate in Seattle.

When I talked to Nate earlier in the year, he said he wanted to drive it first to make sure it was safe and shake out any problems. Kip's been driving for more than a decade, running Pro Stock, Super Stock, and 5 litres.

Brown is part of a new generation of unlimited drivers:  A younger breed that includes Jeff Bernard of the U-5 FormulaBoats.com and Brian Perkins of the U-21 Freedom Racing team. "Jeff's my brother-in-law," said Brown. "Brian lives about a quarter of a mile from me."

He says they're a pretty tight group and it's exciting that they're all getting a chance to drive unlimiteds. "It's awesome that owners are getting involved and bringing in younger guys," he said.

Read the full story on Kip Brown >>