Powerboat crew chief

Brown is the winningest crew chief of Unlimited racing’s turbine era. Between 1986 and ‘97, Brown notched 55 victories in 112 races, including six Gold Cups (1989-90, 1992-93, 1995, 1997) and 10 National High Point Championships. Brown's boats raised the world qualifying lap record from 153.061 mph in 1986 to 172.166 in 1995. Born into powerboat racing, Brown spent years running his family’s Long Gone Grand Prix Class hydroplane before transitioning to Unlimiteds. In 1976, he earned his only piston-powered APBA Gold Cup at Detroit as Miss U.S. crew chief with 2000 inductee Tom D’Eath. They won two more Gold Cups together in 1989 and ‘90. In 1985, Miss Budweiser owner Bernie Little hired Brown to develop the team’s new turbine program. With Jim Kropfeld driving, they won three races and the 1986 National High Point Championship. Brown spent the remainder of his Unlimited career with the Miss Budweiser organization. Said Little, “When I hired Ron Brown, I got one of the most competitive, hardworking and innovative people in all of boat racing.”