Fuel 1 Team Racing wants to be known for more than lap times. The outfit, which races at the top level of offshore powerboating, is channelling as much energy into grassroots development as it does into chasing podiums.
The team competes at the sharp end of high-speed offshore powerboats, but its reach extends well beyond the racetrack. Fuel 1 also supplies premium high-performance fuels and fuelling solutions aimed at racers, recreational boaters, and powersports enthusiasts more broadly.
Perhaps the most notable piece of the operation is the American Thundercat Racing Federation, known as ATRF, which Fuel 1 founded to bring new competitors into one of powerboat racing's more accessible and competitive disciplines.
Through ATRF, the team says it is focused on expanding opportunities, promoting safety, and injecting fresh energy into the sport. New Zealand's own offshore and powerboat racing community may recognise the theme, given the similar emphasis here on grassroots pathways and safety culture.
"For us, racing isn't just about winning trophies," the team says. "It's about building relationships, creating unforgettable experiences, supporting our fellow competitors, and helping the entire motorsports community grow."
That sentiment runs through everything Fuel 1 does, from weekend boaters fuelling up at the dock to world champions competing at the top level of offshore racing.
Fuel 1 sums up its approach simply: "Fueling Passion. Powering Performance. Building the Future." The business spans everything from fuel chemistry to junior development pathways, but the common thread is clear enough.
Whether that translates into visible results on the international offshore circuit remains to be seen as the season unfolds. For now, Fuel 1's focus sits squarely on the sport's foundations, not just its headline events.
