ABU DHABI - Siegfried "Ziggy" Boettle, who has become an institution in the sport while serving over 40 years as one of Outboard Marine Corporation's (OMC) top engineers for almost five decades, was part of the third class of enshrines to the official UIM F1 H2O World Championship "Hall-of-Fame" receiving his award at the official Gala Dinner on the evening of the 16th of December.
The yearly spectacle, held just outside the city of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates in front of hundreds of invited guests, saw the current Chairman of both the UIM Formula One and Safety Cockpit Committee's accept his award while thanking the many people who voted for him in joining the very select group of individuals who have earned their way in the UIM F1 H2O "Hall of Fame" since it's beginning back in 2009.
"Ziggy" has devoted his time over the years to the powerboat racing community whether it be local, national or international in scope. He began his service in the UIM F1 H2O community back in 1996 as their technical commissioner as a representative of the UIM regarding legalities of all racers throughout a weekend when it came to their racing equipment, including race engines.
A native of Gurnee, Illinois in the USA, "Ziggy" has served many years with the UIM as well as the APBA (American Power Boat Association) and his local Region 7 as head of the Great Lakes Boat Club outside Chicago, Illinois.
Also being elected into this years "Hall Of Fame" but unable to attend is another long time pioneer and pillar of the sport, Charlie Strang.
Charlie, like his longtime friend and fellow worker "Ziggy", began racing in 1937 and after World War II and teaching at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) broke away from his interests in the early technology of jet aircraft engines into outboard engine development.
Charlie is credited for beginning the concept of a UIM F1 World Championship dating back to 1981. Like "Ziggy", Charlie makes his home in the Northern suburbs of Chicago, Illinois.
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