Teddy Dudley can’t kick the racing bug.

Cal Phipps, left, and Teddy Dudley

The Rochester Hills resident used to drive race boats, but moved out of that side of the sport when he started a family.

Now he’s responsible for the cockpit for the U-7 Graham Trucking unlimited hydroplane driven by Sterling Heights resident Cal Phipps.

“I keep Cal safe,” Dudley said. “And I do repair on the boat when we need it.”

Dudley started racing in 1985. He drove 5-liter, 7-liter and Grand Prix boats.

“Then when I started having kids, having a family, I had a lot of liabilities,” he said.

Dudley and his wife, Camilla, have four children.  Jada, Justin, Michael and D’Mario range in age from 12 years to 27.

Teddy Dudley owns a Rochester Hills construction business and a Detroit collision shop.

This weekend, he has left his businessman’s cards at home and taken on the persona of a racer and competitor.

The U-7 is among eight boats trying to win the DYC Detroit APBA Gold Cup on the Detroit River.

“We come to win,” Dudley said.

Jimmy Shane drove the U-6 Oberto to a top qualifying speed of 162.613 mph for the DYC Detroit APBA Gold Cup on the Detroit River on Friday.

Jon Zimmerman in the U-9 Red Dot/Spirit of Qatar was second and J. Michael Kelly in the U-1 Graham Trucking third for the H1 Unlimited hydroplane event. Zimmerman's speed was 160.432, and Kelly turned a lap of 159.454.

Cal Phipps of Sterling Heights was fourth in the U-7 Graham Trucking (150.707), followed by Brian Perkins in the U-21 Al Deeby Dodge (148.302) and Mike Webster in the U-22 Webster Racing (141.261).

Greg Hopp's U-12 ServPro/Miss DiJulio had a speed of 133.836 mph.

Heat races will be Saturday.

More heat races and the Gold Cup final will be Sunday.

Jimmy Shane signs autographs for fans Friday.

J. Michael Kelly drove the U-1 Graham Trucking unlimited hydroplane to victory in the season-opening Madison (Ind.) Regatta last weekend.

Next up for the H1 Unlimited Series racers is the APBA Detroit Gold Cup on the Detroit River, Friday-Sunday, July 11-13.

Qualifying begins at 5 p.m. Friday.

Heat races will be run Saturday and again Sunday, with the Gold Cup final Sunday.

Go to www.gold-cup.com for more information.