Tom Thompson's Career
The cover of the 2023 Cambridge Classic Race Program is a tribute to Thomas H. “Tom” Thompson, Commodore of the Cambridge Powerboat Racing Association and a world class racer. Tom’s racing career is unparalleled with a litany of titles and awards. His dedication to the sport and the race here in Cambridge will have an enduring impact on both. Tom is modest about his accomplishments and as a result most in the community are unaware of his distinguished career in inboard powerboat racing. A lifelong resident from right here in Dorchester County, he is a great example of what determination and desire will allow you to accomplish.
Tom began his racing career teaming up with his father, Tommy Thompson, racing in the Jersey Speed Skiff class in the Hot Chocolateand then the Gambler. The father son team would go on to become a force in the Jersey Skiff class, ultimately winning six consecutive National High Point Titles. While continuing to win in the skiff class Tom acquired a 2.5 stock hydro that he named Hot Chocolate Too and began his journey driving hydros.
The love of driving hydros had been born and so keeping with the family affair theme, Tom teamed up with father-in-law Russell Wroten to pilot his newly acquired Super Chief five litre. The combination produced success in a most competitive class.
Tom then teamed up with Don Thompson from Denton, MD after he acquired the five litre A & A Shameless Batt Boat. Together they enjoyed several years of success in winning regional and national titles and being a consistent contender.
Tom’s success earned a growing number of invitations to step in for drivers in multiple classes. Success brings success. Tom’ s knowledge of boats and motors would earn him a number of prestigious rides. One of those was for Joe Cheezum of Kent Island and his 1 Litre mod in which they would assault the record books. Rides would come in all three inboard categories.
The longest and most successful relationship would be with the English family of Louisiana. George and Joyce English along their son Randy and Royce and Kathy Richards would campaign Fat Chance Racing Team to many national titles and records in the 2.5 Modified class, one of the fastest and most challenging classes on the circuit. Today Fat Chance racing holds every 2.5 mod speed record. It was through this team that Tom would earn his three nominations to the Hall of Champions. Besides building a radical National Modified, the English team acquired a Grand Prix hull and together they are currently campaigning.
The ultimate goal of for many drivers is to win a ride in the Unlimited Class. For Tom that opportunity happened with the U-11 team. It was through this team Tom met Johnathan Thompson. The two developed a strong relationship and when Tom left the unlimited team, Johnathan came along as sponsor for the GP525 as well as sponsor for the Cambridge Classic.
Most of those that participate in the sport of powerboat racing will own or drive in one or two classes. A few, like the great “Skeeter” Johnson, will earn and accept the opportunity to drive in other classes. Rarely will a driver compete in two different categories. Tom has driven in every category, including the Parker Enduro Race, in which he continues to compete, and has driven in all but two inboard classes. The cover of the program presents several of the boats he has driven in his decades long career.
He has an outstanding reputation in the sport both as a driver and for his knowledge of boats and their motors. As a result, he has had many invitations to drive for some of the top race teams in the world throughout his career. The following is a listing of some of his accomplishments:
• Four Time Hall of Champions - 2009, 2010, 2011, 2014
• Twelve Time National High Point Champion - 1991-1996, 2002, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2014
• Set ten closed course world/APBA speed records
• Holds three UIM (World Motorboat Federation) World Records set in 2009, 2010, 2022
• Triple Crown Championship - 2010
• Eastern Divisional Championships
• Western Divisional Championships
• Summer National Championships
• Canadian Championships
