Built for Speed: EDC’s Sponsorship in Powerboat Racing

Electronic Drives and Controls (EDC) is known for its commitment to precision and performance in the technology and machinery sectors. This year, EDC extended that commitment beyond its typical scope by sponsoring an outboard race boat that participated in the 87-mile Top O’Michigan Marathon Nationals, held in Indian River, Michigan. 

Each year the Marathon Nationals event attracts over 100 participants who race through lakes, rivers, and channels in a test of endurance and speed. This year, the EDC-sponsored powerboat competed in the 25SSR class with 25 other pilots, securing tenth place overall. The boat, named ‘One Way or Another,’ measures just under 11 feet in length and is powered by a 25-horsepower Mercury outboard engine. It was the first boat that John Wlodarski, the pilot, played a role in building, using Okoume and Sitka Spruce wood. 

The connection between EDC and the race boat goes further than sponsorship. John has been racing for 18 years and has a personal connection with the EDC family. Best friends with Eric Dillard since second grade, John also worked at EDC for a time, lending a hand on the assembly line and staying close to the company’s operations. When it came time to find a sponsor for the race, John noted that the connection with EDC felt natural. “I raced with the EDC company name proudly displayed on the side of my boat,” he said.

While the boat’s tenth-place performance in the race was impressive, John’s involvement in the sport goes far beyond competing. As a member of the national board of directors of the American Power Boat Association (APBA), an organization that has been promoting the sport since 1903, John is deeply connected to the sport. With 16 national titles to his name, John is not only a competitor but also a leader in the sport, actively involved in fundraising and organizing events to support the power boating community.

“The sponsorship from EDC wasn’t just about visibility,” noted John. “It was about the support of a company that has been a part of my life for many years.” The EDC name, now on the side of his boat, represents a partnership built on history and a commitment to innovation—whether on the water or in the world of industrial automation.

This sponsorship is a reminder that EDC’s impact goes beyond the factory floor, extending into the passions and pursuits of those who share the company’s dedication to excellence.

Learn more about the Top O’Michigan Marathon Nationals here.