Outboard racing boats competing on water

Stock Outboard Racing Since 1957

Outboard Racing at its Finest

Picture yourself traveling at 60 miles per hour; not sitting in your 3,000 pound steel car, but kneeling – inches above the water – in a 120 pound wooden boat. Your left hand squeezes the throttle. Your right hand is glued to the steering wheel. As the boat skims above the surface, your slightest movement affects its ride over the ever-changing water.

Now picture yourself surrounded by 11 other boats, just inches apart. Rough water jolts you. The spray of the other boats drenches you. You anxiously take your shot to pass your closest opponent; pushing your mind, will, and body to the limit. Three laps of flawless timing and outsmarting your competitors puts you in front for the win. The heart-pounding excitement lasts only minutes per heat, but Stock Outboard boat racing leaves you thirsting for more.

A Brief Club History

Marine Racing Club (MRC) was chartered in Chicago, Illinois in 1957, and races under the auspices of the American Power Boat Association (APBA), the largest sanctioning body for power boat racing in the United States. Over its long and illustrious history, MRC has proudly sent many members to the APBA Hall of Champions, the highest honor afforded in the sport of power boat racing.

MRC formed due to the huge popularity of Stock Outboard boat racing in America in the late 1950s, and blossomed during racing's heyday in the '60s and '70s with the availability of new racing engines and even new race boats at many local marinas. Over 50-years later, and MRC is still going strong!

Our members hail from the great states of Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin. We are the premier boat racing club in Illinois with approximately 50 members on our roster, a few of whom, we are proud to say, are Charter Members from back in 1957! MRC is steeped in tradition and rich in history, and we look forward to including you in our coming chapters.

67 Years of Champions

A comprehensive 67-year listing of APBA National Champions (1948 to 2015) provides a wonderful history. Great racers from both MRC and BSOA are highlighted, and many – you'll be surprised to see – are still actively racing today!

APBA — American Power Boat Association

2026 Race Schedule

Marine Racing Club conducts races with our partnering club in Wisconsin; Badger State Outboard Association (BSOA). Together, our clubs host the best races in the northern Illinois/southern-central Wisconsin region. This schedule includes many other races from neighboring regions and clubs.*

Please also be sure to follow and Like MRC on our Facebook page.

May 16-17

Phantom Lake (Mukwonago), Wisconsin

BSOA

May 23-24

Franklin, Pennsylvania

TRORA

May 30-31

Huntington, Indiana

IOA

May 30-31

Presque Isle, Michigan

Top 'O

June 6-7

Creighton, Pennsylvania

TRORA

June 6-7

Marinette, Wisconsin

USTS

June 20-21

Constantine, Michigan

MHRA

June 20-21

Genesee, Michigan

USTS

June 27-28

Constantine, Michigan

IOA

July 4-5

Constantine, Michigan

USTS

July 17-19

Stock Nationals

SSOA

July 22-25

Mod/Junior Nationals

IOA

July 31–Aug. 2

DePue, Illinois

USTS

Aug. 8-9

Indian River, Michigan

Top 'O

Aug. 15-16

Rock Falls, Illinois

MRCMRC Home Race

Setup and free testing Friday, Aug 14

Aug. 15-16

Kittanning, Pennsylvania

TRORA

Aug. 15-16

Centralia, Illinois

USTS

Aug. 22-23

Grass Lake, Michigan

MHRA

Aug. 29-30

Danville, Illinois

MRCMRC Home Race

Setup and free testing Friday, Aug. 28

Aug. 29-30

Vandalia, Illinois

USTS

Sept. 6-7

Beloit, Wisconsin

MRCMRC Home Race

TENTATIVE

Sept. 12-13

Hillsdale, Michigan

IOA

Sept. 19-20

Big Rapids, Michigan

MHRA

Sept. 26-27

Antioch, Illinois

SMRC/MRCMRC Home Race

*Schedule subject to change. Watch for updates.