SAN DIEGO -- The driver of a hydroplane racing boat suffered only minor scrapes despite having his boat disintegrate around him during a tuneup Friday for the weekend powerboat races on Mission Bay.

Mark Workentine, 32, the driver of the"Whiskey River," lost control of his boat during a practice run Friday morning.

He estimated he was going 180-miles an hour when the boat crashed.

A former circuit champion, this was Workentine's first year back from retirement. In an instant, Workentine told 10News, his dreams of another championship crumbled before his eyes.

"If you're a racer, you know this can happen and you just hang on for the ride. Luckily, I walked away this time," Workentine said.

Workentine said he is in good spirits even though his boat is "shredded to pieces." His body is "a little sore," he said," but he is "doing well."