#BeYouWithUs - A Driving Force
Hydroplane racers rely on perfectly tuned engines, confidence into the turns, and teammates working in harmony. Success lies in collaboration, something that Joshua Toccalino believes in – on the water and in his role as Magna’s supplier quality development manager for the Americas.
Toccalino has been an avid participant in the water sport described as “racing on the edge” since he was 13. In 2022, he won a national championship in the A Stock Hydroplane racing category, beating 30 competitors on the aptly named Champion Lake in Springfield, Ohio.
His racing credentials include setting American Power Boat Association three speed records in 2019. In one 125 Modified Hydroplane race, Toccalino achieved a top speed of 60 mph – an impressive performance given that competitors in this class often use watercraft equipped with converted go-kart engines. His boat is equipped with a 20-horsepower custom outboard racing engine.
Hydroplanes float partially on a cushion of air that is trapped under the hull as the craft moves swiftly in the water, mainly on lakes, rivers and bays. Drivers are equipped with helmets, life jackets, and full Kevlar suits for protection. Toccalino’s version matches the yellow-and-black colors of his hydroplane.
“In racing, you have to problem-solve as a team to get the boat to go faster,” Toccalino said. “It can be compared to the challenges with my quality job at Magna. It’s important to collaborate with divisions, engineers and suppliers to ensure high-quality results for our customers.”
“What we do is build friendships to win.”
Friendships and family ties are critical in this demanding sport. Toccalino’s hydroplane crew includes his fiancé Allie Bechard, uncle Ken Sugamosto, grandfather Don Doherty and cousin Jeff Sugamosto. At Magna, his Novi, Michigan-based crew helps to troubleshoot quality concerns and support new business launches at Magna divisions and engineering centers.
“The benefit of both is operating in tight-knit communities that help each other out,” he said. “What we do is build friendships to win. That’s why the Magna Core Value ‘be collaborative’ resonates with me.”
Any other racers out there in the Magna world?
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