Shawn Butterfield Joined Irish Kevin's Racing Team
The 51-year-old throttle man joined the Sarasota-based racing team in February 2026.
Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Motorsports
In February 2026, 51-year-old Shawn Butterfield officially joined the Sarasota-based Irish Kevin's racing team as a throttle man. Butterfield, formerly a racer of a 21ft Skater in Bermuda, transitioned to the team's 22ft Velocity boat.
Why it matters
The addition of an experienced throttle man like Butterfield aims to bolster the performance of the Irish Kevin's team within the competitive bracket class, which is capped at 60mph. The move follows the team's efforts to modernize their equipment after a boat overhaul.
The Irish Kevin's Velocity boat measures 22ft, while the bracket class competition adheres to a strict 60mph speed limit. Team Bermuda utilizes a larger 32ft Doug Wright twin-engined catamaran, which recently secured third place at the XInsurance Great Lakes Grand Prix.
The players
Shawn Butterfield
He is a 51-year-old throttle man who previously raced a 21ft Skater in Bermuda.
Irish Kevin's
This Sarasota-based racing team operates a 22ft Velocity boat in the competitive bracket class.
Team Bermuda
This competitive racing outfit uses a 32ft Doug Wright twin-engined catamaran and finished third at the XInsurance Great Lakes Grand Prix.
The details
Following a major boat overhaul prior to the September 2026 Clearwater Offshore Nationals, the team sought to improve their mechanical reliability after experiencing low voltage issues. Butterfield also continues to support the S25 Team Bermuda inshore crew during travel and events.
Timeline
February 2026: Shawn Butterfield officially joined the Irish Kevin's racing team.
September 2026: The Clearwater Offshore Nationals racing event took place in Florida.
Season Trajectory
The recruitment of a seasoned throttle man reflects a broader effort by the team to maximize potential within the bracket class 60mph speed limit. This strategic addition aligns with the team's pursuit of higher consistency following equipment failures during the 2026 racing season.
Butterfield's transition directly impacts the team's technical configuration for the 22ft Velocity, affecting their ability to maintain steady speeds near the 60mph limit. This change is intended to mitigate the low voltage issues that previously forced the boat into guardian mode during races.
The takeaway
Team operations in the bracket class require precise throttle control to remain competitive without exceeding safety and speed constraints. Success for crews like Irish Kevin's depends on both the mechanical reliability of their boats and the specific experience level of their personnel.
Further reading
For more on the racing circuit, see the latest updates in Motorsports.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Royal Gazette.
