Brent Hall, a former Mercer Island resident, is set to compete in the Seafair hydroplane races on July 31-Aug. 2. Hall, who currently resides in Bothell, has been competing in hydroplane racing for 18 years and is striving to make the sport mainstream again.

Local Support

Hall has received support from local sponsors and friends, including Matt Galvin, co-owner of Pagliacci Pizza, and Hill Harper, a Mercer Island resident and actor. Galvin is sponsoring Hall’s Grand Prix boat, and Harper will be hosting sponsor and celebratory parties before and after Seafair.

Hall’s family has a long history on Mercer Island, where his mother, Annie, taught at Mercer Island public schools for over 30 years. Hall attended Mercer Island High School before transferring to Newport High School in Bellevue.

Racing for a Cause

Hall is competing in honor of his brother, Hayden, who passed away from lymphoma last year. Hall and Harper are involved in fundraising for the V Foundation, a major cancer research nonprofit.

Hall’s son, Brent Jr., also got into hydro racing at a young age and won some junior Seafair heats. However, he is now too big for the hydros and is focusing on playing basketball.

Original reporting: Renton Reporter — read the source article.