Kim McCallan put a huge feather in her cap after making her debut as a driver in the American Power Boat Association Offshore Championship at the weekend.

The former Bermuda Power Boat Association commodore finished sixth among the eight entries in the ProStock V class at the St Clair River Classic in Michigan, competing on board North Myrtle Beach/Nobody’s Business Offshore Racing’s 30-foot Phantom, which is powered by a 500-horsepower inboard motor.

“It was definitely a good race,” McCallan, the first Bermudian woman to compete at this level, said. “We were placed in the outside position for the race.

“Nerves kick in for all racing. I became a bit more comfortable and confident after the first couple of laps and gained speed with every lap, passing two of the other boats in our class.”

LSB Racing captured the ProStock V class title during Sunday’s race, with Done Deal and Showtime finishing second and third.

“This was definitely a great experience and I’m happy I was asked to be part of this team,” McCallan added. “I can say that Mark (throttle man Mark Rinda) and Chris (team owner Chris Uzzi) are great team players and, not only helped out, but also encouraged me along this journey.”

McCallan’s debut did not go without incident.

“We nearly spun out on one of the turns,” she explained. “But with quick thinking and responses, we managed to get control of the boat, straightened her up and continued.”

The mother-of-one also took a nasty blow to the head during pre-race testing the day before the main event.

“We all tested on Saturday and the water conditions weren’t the greatest and it was deteriorating as the day went on,” McCallan said.

“We spent some time in the air and I took a slam to my head, which took a chunk out of my helmet.

“We were a bit heavy in the back and moved the ballast around to even her out.”