The drivers
Brandon Kennedy
Birth: 16/07/1992
Residence: Newark, DE, USA
Race start: 2006
Class: Grand Prix
Biography
Brandon had a rough season in 2016. It seems for him like nothing could go right and he ended the season with the worse accident of his racing career. It took a lot of thought over the winter to decide to come back to the HRL circuit. He is very thankful for his wife that let him drive de F-25 to get past some of the fears he had after the accident. He is also very thankful for his wife, family and fans because they have been very supportive along the way.
In 2015, your team associated with a cause that is very important to you.
Yes! We have a partnership with the H8 Cancer Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to raising funds for research and to promote awareness of better treatment options to save lives. To be able to combine our passion for racing to this cause is additional motivation. I am happy to use my platform to get the word out about cancer research.
Family brought him to the sport and has been his motivation for a long time but now, with this association, his motivation has changed. «I now push to honor all of those fighting cancer. In the boat I never give up because I know their are many people out their fighting cancer with the same attitude. The people I have met since we started H8 Cancer Racing give me the drive to push my hardest. It is no longer about the trophy, but about being something for these amazing people that are fighting for their life and so they can look forward to watching!»
The H8 Cancer Racing team includes my boat in the Grand Prix class, Karson Kennedy’s Formula 2500 and two hydroplanes in the Hydro 350 class driven by Derec Smith and Paul Barber. This means that we can give visibility to the cause in almost every heat during a racing weekend.
You mentioned your wife Karson Kennedy, a fellow driver. You have a pretty rich family history in the sport.
I was born into the sport. I was actually on a racing site at one day old! I take pride in being a fourth generation driver and I perpetuate family tradition by using the number 25 for my boat, as did all the Kennedys before me.
What is your favorite race and why?
When we get to Valleyfield, the intensity level goes up. Every team in Grand Prix puts in their best motors and we are geared up to push hard. The fans are what make this race stand out. There is a rush to winning in Valleyfield and standing in front of that crowd. It pushes me to be at my best when I get there. I have won a lot of races, set records, won championships, but the wins at the Régates de Valleyfield are the most memorable.
Team members
Marc Théorêt
Back-up DriverGeorge Kennedy Jr
Crew ChiefScott Kropfeld
Team EngineerSandy Kennedy
SpotterSerge Blanchette
Fuel TunerMason McClure
Oil WiperKarson Kennedy
Driver MotivatorMatt Henning
CrewWally Osinga
Crew