For six great years, Bud McKay got to live his dream.

The Air Force veteran and retired reservist from the 446th Airlift Wing got to spend one sunny weekend after another skimming across lakes all over the Pacific Northwest at more than 120 miles per hour behind the wheel of his hydroplane.

After winning his fourth 8-cylinder stock Lighter-Than-LIGHTS high points championship Oct. 2 at the Salmon Cup on Lake Sammamish, the 51-year-old McKay announced his retirement from racing.

"It broke my heart," McKay said of the decision to retire.

McKay, a father of four, said the grind of the hydroplane season became too much and took too much time away from his children.

"During the race season you have to work on the boat every day," said McKay, who also works as a civilian at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. "It's just a huge time commitment."

This season was especially taxing because McKay's team made several physical changes to the 1,900-pound, 1984 wooden boat - which is more than 600 pounds heavier than the newer composite boats - to help it turn better.

"She's old and she's slow, but I enjoy being out there with the guys," McKay said. "But for me to have a good day someone else has to have a bad day."

Despite a considerable weight disadvantage, utilizing clean driving and starts and finishes, McKay found his way back to the LTL title.

"From the mid-season on, we started and finished every heat and didn't miss a beat," said McKay, who won LTL titles in 2006, 2007 and 2008 with his Namron Racing Team.

McKay also credits his crew chief Kristen Edsinger, who worked long hours tweaking the engine to make sure it performed at a high level.

"I would have been watching a lot of the races from the beach if it wasn't for all that she did," he said.

Lee Brunk, owner of Commercial Driver Services, which sponsored McKay's boat this season, said he understood why McKay decided to walk away.

"He was basically consumed by the boat," Brunk said. "It was an amazing season, and I wish Bud and his family the best. I had a good time being part of everything."

McKay's career took him to races as far south as Phoenix, and he survived two flips and three minor collisions on the water.

"I've been very blessed over the years, and CDS has taken really good care of us," he said. "I have to grow up."

With all four of his daughters watching as he came back to the pits for the last time, McKay took off his helmet and hurled himself into the lake to celebrate his title and his career.