Racer Profile: Ray Dong

Checking his clipboard, talking on the radio, the always busy Ray Dong. © F. Peirce Williams Photography

 By Craig Fjarlie

Ray Dong is a Detroit native who has spent a lifetime involved with boat racing. “I became interested in powerboat racing from Popular Science magazine,” he explains. “I was about six years old and read this article about Unlimited hydroplane racing. I thought it was so fascinating I had to find out more about it. Back in those days the Detroit races were on television, so the unbelievable part is I never went to an Unlimited race until 1968, which meant that I was 14 years old.”

As a young person, Dong entered the Soap Box Derby in Detroit. One of the sponsors of the Derby was the local newspaper, the Detroit News. “They wanted somebody to speak on behalf of the Derby on WJR radio, which was one of the big powerhouse stations. I was interviewed by Jimmy Launce. He was the morning guy. He said to me, ‘So, you want to go car racing.’ I said ‘No, I want to go hydroplane racing.’ He said, ‘Well, maybe I ought to call Lee Schoenith and get you an interview.'” (Schoenith owned the Gale racing team – ed.) “I said, ‘No, I want to drive Miss U.S.‘ Ray Weber called the radio station and invited me to join the Marine Prop Riders club.”

Congrats to UD’s Ray Dong, the 2024 recipient of the prestigious “Fearless” Fred Alter Award, presented at the Marine Prop Riders Awards banquet November 9th at Penna’s in Sterling Heights. Well deserved to one of UD’s past presidents! Unlimiteds Detroit November 30, 2024 · 

Dong went to a Prop Riders meeting where he met Joe Tate, Sr. “He says, ‘Young man, I’ve got a boat in my garage, $300.’ It was a Hallett, 48. I never raced it, not that one, but it started a lifetime friendship between myself and the Tate family.”

In addition to racing, Dong is known for his artistic ability. He attended art school in Detroit; and for his senior project, he and a friend, Matt Devine, designed a hydroplane. “Matt did all the lines on it and then I styled it,” he explains. “I built this thing my senior year in school.” His career path took him to Ford Motor Company. “I was an engineering illustrator,” he says. “I wasn’t good enough to be a designer. They’re like major league pitchers—one in a thousand makes it. I was able to eke out a career. I loved to draw and I loved cars, so I got a job drawing cars. How good is that? That’s why I always tell younger people to do something they are passionate about, whatever it is, and you’ll be successful because you are passionate about it. Sounds simplistic, but it worked for me. My whole M.O. was to get a job that allowed me to pay for my racing program.” Dong’s artistic work has appeared in books and magazines about boat racing, including Prop Riders by Phil Kunz and William G. Holder, The Life of Art Asbury by Doug Cunnington, and APBA’s Propellermagazine. “One of the proudest moments for me was when they had the APBA meeting at Milwaukee. I did the whole cover with a point and shoot camera.”

And, he can draw! One of many custom renderings by Ray Dong.

When Dong was ready to qualify as a driver, he received help from Tom LaClave. “He was an engineer at General Motors,” Dong remembers. “He towed this 48 to New Martinsville, West Virginia. That’s where I qualified. I was so slow they timed me with a sundial. It was a mile and two-thirds course, if you can imagine me driving this little 48 cubic inch Crosley, how long it took. The referee was a famous guy, E. M. ‘Red’ Peatross, a legendary referee from the ’40s and ’50s. That’s who signed my card.”

In 1979, Dong began competing in the 145 class, in a home-built boat. “Don Nicholson and I built it. I did most of the work; he helped me finish it, plumb it and all that. That’s how it started.” Soon, Dong changed classes and began competing in the Y class, 1-Litre Modified. “I bought a boat called Lip Ship. I bought it from Joe Tate, Jr. I raced that with a Honda, not very successfully. I was an also-ran.” Dong named the boat Sophisticated Lady.

Soon, Dong had a new opportunity that would enable him to become a winner. He bought a Y class boat from Jim Appley. The hull had been built by Ron Jones and was powered by a Sunbeam engine. “The guy who tested the boat for me was Steve David. I flew down and bought the boat. Appley was 60 pounds heavier than I am. The boat was a rocket ship.” Dong wanted to surround himself with good people, so he made a proposal to Appley. “‘Why don’t we keep the boat in your name. You can stay involved in it. You can do the motors, and we’ll race together.’ It was a match made in heaven. He could stay involved without having the pressure of towing it. I took it to the races. He’d show up like the maestro, tune the motors, look at everything.” An added bonus was Appley’s friendship with Willard Wilson, who did propeller work. The boat carried the name Super “J” Too.

Ray Dong and APBA photographer Jim Vota, 1987. © F. Peirce Williams Photography

In 1985, Dong drove the boat to victory in the National Championship. He was class high point champion in 1986 and 1987, and in 1986 he set a one-mile competition record. His biggest victory came at Valleyfield, Quebec, in 1988. At that event, he won the combined U.S., Canadian, and UIM World Championship in the Y class. During his career, Dong also had opportunities to drive boats in other classes. “I drove 1-Litre, 2.5 Stock, 2.5 Modified, and a little bit in 280, which is now 5-Litre. One of the advantages I had was that I was light. When you’re light, you get a lot of opportunities. I probably drove every piece of junk in Region 6 at one point. I don’t say that to be derogatory. It was an opportunity for me to get some seat time. There’s nothing like seat time. When I grew up in the Detroit area, it was a hotbed of inboard racing and Unlimited racing. If you’re wise, you’ll take advantage of that.” One thing he never drove was a flatbottom. “Always wanted to,” he admits, “but never did. The two newer classes in APBA inboard are lower-powered flatbottom classes. I see a lot of growth in that, a lot of potential.”

After his championship season in 1988, Dong decided it was time to stop racing. “I kind of set a goal for myself at the beginning of ’88 that if I could win the Valleyfield race, I would quit at the end of the season. The next season they were going to (cockpit) restraints. I could have probably converted but I had lost some of the passion for what I was doing. I thought that was a very good time to leave. I always admired guys like Jackie Stewart in the Formula 1 races. He retired as a champion.”

Dong generously credits a number of people who helped him when he was racing. “What did it for me, as far as learning how to race, was driving for Richard Willim. He had a 1937 Ford flathead, a 1953 Lauterbach hull, and I was born in 1954. I was the youngest part of that combination. I did win a race in that old boat. I won one race. I should have quit right away because I won the first race I ever drove for him. Some of it was circumstance, some of it was timing, but I couldn’t do the racing by default. I happened to be available and by that point I’d done enough to be considered. It wasn’t a premium ride. What Rich taught me was the strategy of racing and how to make a good start. That’s Rich Willim—it’s all Rich Willim. He was not an easy guy to work for, but the fact that I was able to win a couple Nationals—it’s all Rich Willim. I would say there were three very significant people in my career. One was Bill Muncey. He was a great communicator; he taught me a lot. Bill Muncey, I would say, taught me how to drive. Rich Willim taught me how to race, and Jim Appley gave me what it took to win. I credit those three people the most. There were others. Chuck Thompson, Jr., was very helpful. I was the beneficiary of a lot of kindness from good people that I got to know.”

In very good company: from left, the late greats George “Buddy” Byers and Stan Fitts, with Ray Dong at the Roush Museum. APBA photo

Although Dong no longer competes, he remains involved with boat racing in a number of ways. He served for five years as president of Unlimiteds Detroit, a club for Unlimited hydroplane fans. He maintains his membership in Marine Prop Riders and has been president of the organization three times. He had a role in restoring Willard Wilson’s Lil’ Lectron. “Hank Kosciuszko saved it from the scrap heap,” he notes. “He took it to Balcer’s, up near Bay City.” The boat was taken apart but restoration was never completed. “It was out in the elements rotting away. I engaged Tom D’Eath to go up and get it. Once I got my hands on it, the guys came up from Ohio, took it down to John Jenkins’ shop. It has been there the last two years.”

Dong also is involved as an owner of a 2.5 Modified inboard hydroplane. “I’m going to try to help save the A class by campaigning a boat again,” he says. Dong purchased a boat that was built by Glen Turner of South Rockwood, Michigan. “It’s very reliable. Not a top tier boat, but very solid. That’s why I purchased it. I’ve been so busy I’m a couple years behind, but we’re planning to be on the water next year.” The driver will be Mike Horvath of Dearborn, Michigan. Dong explains his decision to participate in the A class. “The Y class went from obscurity in the early ’90s to where it’s one of the most participated classes. Look at the top tier guys who are driving the Y boats. A Class is kind of a balky class; the motors are kind of complicated. We’re going to try to do the same thing, emulating what the Y guys did.”

Dennis Macy signs a piece of artwork by Ray Dong for Tom D’Eath at the 2014 Quake On The Lake Summer National, Waterford, M. © F. Peirce Williams Photography

As Dong reflects on his lifetime in boat racing, he always describes it in positive terms. “It’s the joy of my life. What makes it the joy of my life are the people.” Having access to the people helped keep him involved. “The quote that I coined is, ‘It’s the only sport that lets you hang out with your heroes.’ I’ve proven that time and time again. We’re kind of a grassroots sport—there’s no question about that. If it became more professional, I’m not sure we’d like it.” In that respect, he concludes with a note of caution. “Don’t wish for something that might come true.”

“It’s the joy of my life.” Ray working at the 2012 Stock Outboard Nationals, Grass Lake, MI. © F. Peirce Williams Photography