By Harry Gatjens

The Edmonds-based unlimited hydroplane Miss Peters and May has announced that rock legend Duff McKagan has signed up as an Ambassador fort the boat in this season.

Seattle resident McKagan was a VIP guest for last year’s H1 Seafair race and has always been a major fan of the sport. After the event he remained in contact with Peters & May Chief Executive Dave Holley and the two agreed that it would be great if he could become involved with the team. Away from his passion for boating, McKagan is better known for playing in bands such as Guns ‘n’ Roses, Velvet Revolver and Loaded.

The U-11 will be carrying a decal for his new band “Walking Papers” and the band will be making a VIP appearance in the pits at the 2013 Seafair event prior to launching their new album.

”It was great to be able to spend some time with Duff at last year’s event,” Holley said. “I could tell straight away that he was a fan of the sport. Meeting a rock star, and particularly one that you have grown up listening to, is awe inspiring and quite nerve racking but Duff made everyone feel at ease. He is as down to earth as you can get and we are really looking forward to promoting his new adventure and having him as the ambassador for our team.”

Mckagan says” I’m super honored to be involved this year. The U-11 Peters and May team have fully and rightfully embraced Seattle rock music, and have invited The Walking Papers aboard for what promises to be a fun filled season. I grew up with posters of hydroplane boats next to Aerosmith and KISS on my bedroom wall. This partnership makes perfect sense to me. This will indeed kick some ass! Go U-11. Go Peters and May. Go Walking Papers”.

The boat left for Sacramento this afternoon.

In other sponsorship news. Since the Spirit of Qatar sponsorship transferred to the former Red Dot boat this year, the Red Dot sponsorship has transferred to the U-9, owned by Mike Jones of, Auburn.

Dave Villwock, the sport’s all-time winningest driver has retired and will not be driving this year.