Episode 73- Powerboat Talk with Mary Rife Drag Boat Racer and Fastest Woman on Water
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Mary Rife: The First Woman to Break 200 MPH in a Drag Boat
In this episode of Powerboat Talk, we sit down with drag boat racing legend Mary Rife, a true pioneer in performance boating and one of the most accomplished women in motorsports history. Rife became the first woman ever licensed to compete in a Blown Fuel Hydro and remains the only woman to surpass 200 mph in a boat, a milestone that cemented her place among the sport’s all-time greats.
From Family Runabout to Blown Fuel Hydro
Rife’s journey into drag boat racing began with a modest 16-foot boat powered by an 85-hp Mercury outboard. What started as a simple family pastime quickly evolved into a lifelong pursuit of speed. After moving into a Holman & Moody-powered Kindsvater flatbottom, Rife and her husband entered the world of competitive drag boat racing. When she outqualified her husband at their first event at Lake Ming in Bakersfield, California, she earned the driver’s seat and never looked back.
The Story Behind Proud Mary
In 1973, Mary and her husband purchased a Howard hydro hull and transformed it into the legendary Proud Mary, named after the iconic Creedence Clearwater Revival song. Built in their garage and powered by a blown 392 Chrysler Hemi running on nitromethane, the boat quickly became one of the most recognizable Top Fuel Hydros in the sport.
As her career progressed, Proud Mary received a Keith Black 426 Hemi, helping propel Rife to some of the most impressive accomplishments in drag boat racing history. Her achievements included a career-best pass of more than 206 mph, the 1978 NDBA Nationals victory at Firebird, 1977 Driver of the Year honors, appearances on national television alongside Billie Jean King, and an unforgettable 168-mph ride with racing icon Mario Andretti at Long Beach Marine Stadium.
Recovering a Drag Boat Icon
Beyond her racing accomplishments, Rife shares the emotional story of losing Proud Mary after retiring from competition and the unexpected journey that led to the boat’s recovery decades later. She recounts the painstaking restoration process that returned one of drag boat racing’s most famous machines to its original glory, preserving an important piece of performance boating history for future generations.
Join us as Mary Rife reflects on nearly two decades of competition, breaking barriers for women in motorsports, driving some of the fastest drag boats ever built, and creating a legacy that continues to inspire racers today.
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