Dan Bunting’s competitive boat racing debut was not exactly all he had hoped for. In his very first race, the UIM World Championships in Marietta, Ohio, he barrel-rolled his boat on the eight qualifying lap. The experience might have been enough to send someone of lesser resolve paddling back to shore for a new landlubber’s hobby. But as a career police officer, Bunting had what it took to tough it out and try again. That’s why he’s a new member of Team E3 Racing.
Bunting quickly got his pride and his boat back into shape and headed back into the water in time for the next race. Long story short, he ended his rookie season in 10th place on the America Powerboat Racing (APR) SuperLeague Circuit and not only landed a Rookie of the Year title, but helped his team score the prestigious Betty May Best Dressed Team Award to boot. Today, he’s a team owner and Formula 3 Points champion.
Bunting pilots a Tunnel Boat in the APR Series Tour and has finished in the top 10 in series points each of the past four years. His team, Tunnel Vision Racing, is co-sponsored by Monster Energy, JEGS and the Hard Rock Café. Earlier this year, he decided to put all he’s learned about performance boats and equipment to profitable use and launch ExtremePowerboatRacing.com, an online store offering safety and performance parts for boat racing.
Meanwhile, Bunting continues his law enforcement career. A police officer since 1993, he has served as a deputy sheriff in Ohio and Colorado and has held the ranks of patrolman, lieutenant and chief of police. So, the number and name of his previous boat, “Five-O” makes sense.
We here at E3 Spark Plugs congratulate Bunting on his continued success in boat racing and his new business endeavor. If you’re thinking about competing on the water, make sure you stock your boat with a set of high-performance racing spark plugs.