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Hydroplane Racing: Gobrecht Named UHRA President & CEO

7 October 1998

SEATTLE - Unlimited Hydroplane Racing Association (UHRA) Commissioner, Ken Muscatel, announced today that Bob Gobrecht has been named as the organizations new President and Chief Executive Officer of the sport s governing body.

Gobrecht, a veteran sports marketing executive, will immediately assume his new responsibilities for directing the professional activities of the UHRA, including the marketing, sales, media relations, race site development, and administration. Additionally, the UHRA announced that its national headquarters will move from Seattle to Southern California.

I consider this a tremendous opportunity with the sport that I know and love, said Gobrecht. I look forward to taking Unlimited Hydroplane Racing to the next level.

Commissioner Muscatel said, We are very impressed with his business and public relations turn around experience that he developed with Seattle Seafair, the Seattle Mariners and Disney Sports. He is well prepared for the big job ahead of him. Gobrecht brings years of sales and marketing experience to the sport at a very critical time.

Gobrecht, 47, spent five years with Seattle Seafair (1988-1993), he was credited with rejuvenating the festival and the Seafair hydroplane race. Under his direction Seafairs image, attendance, community relations and finances were dramatically improved. He sold the title sponsorship for Seafairs Unlimited Hydroplane Race to the Rainier Brewing Co. (1989-1992) and to Texaco (1993-1998) which are the two largest and most important deals accomplished in the sport in the past decade.

The last five years, Gobrecht has been a senior marketing executive with Major League Baseballs Seattle Mariners and Anaheim Angels. During his tenure with the Mariners, he significantly increased Mariner sponsorship, merchandising and season ticket sales. Gobrecht also played an important role selling and reopening of the Anaheim Angels new ballpark.

Gobrecht began his career with the Walt Disney Company where he ran its worldwide junior sports program and held positions in the Consumer Products Division (1977-1986).

Gobrecht earned his undergraduate from the University of Southern California in 1973 and his MBA in 1975. He currently resides in Palos Verdes Estates, Calf. with is wife Chris, son Eric (age 12) and daughter Madeline (age 9). His wife Chris is the womens basketball coach at the University of Southern California.