Name:  Pingree Anthony “Ping” Conflitti

Home:  Harper Woods, Michigan

Occupation:  Journeyman Electrician – IBEW Local 58

Ping’s interest in hydroplane racing was developed as a young boy listening and feeling the “thunder” as the unlimited boats raced on the Detroit River in the famed and historic Gold Cup Race. His enthusiasm for racing, now firmly engrained, led Ping to build his own J-Class Hydroplane at age 15.  As a young man he gained valuable experience both driving the hydroplane, as well as, the hard learned lessons of crashing his hydro. Regardless, Ping’s zeal for racing continued. He went on to race Pro Stock Drag Cars, 1000cc Drag Bikes, raced ½ mile ovals and the Baja 500 in Mexico.

However, Ping’s passion and intense interest never subsided for the excitement of unlimited boat racing. In 2001, he volunteered his time and 26 foot Sea Ray as a rescue boat for the Detroit Thunderfest Gold Cup Race. After that race, he also volunteered to become a rescue diver at local APBA races for the remainder of the 2001 season.

It soon became his goal to acquire his own boat and race it.  In April 2002, he purchased a hydroplane out of Seattle, Washington, and named it Union Dooz. 

Ping is an electrician and member of IBEW Local 58.  He is a member of the Marine Prop Riders, and the APBA (American Power Boating Association), and the ULHRA (Unlimited Light Hydroplane Racing Association), and has gained the support of fellow union members in the trades.

Hard Hat Racing LLC and the Union Dooz 58 Unlimited Light Racing Team, is an organization dedicated not only to the concept of sportsmanship and family fun, but also to the spirit of brotherhood between building trade professionals, their families and friends.

The Union Dooz Team has competed in Grand Prix (GP), Grand National Hydroplane (GNH), and Unlimited Light (UL) events during the 2002 race season.

Ping’s first season of hydroplane racing certainly reflects his zeal for the sport. He earned the title “Rookie of the Year” from the Marine Prop Riders and was also awarded The 2002 Inspiration Award by the ULHRA. Ping won first place in Valleyfield, Quebec, and has done extremely well in nearly every race he participated in this past season.  He finished in third place for points in the GP class, eighth place for points in the UL class, and fifth place in the GNH class for the MACH series.