Pin-back button from the 1985 Miller Thunderboat Regatta in San Diego, California

The Miller Thunderboat Regatta was a prestigious unlimited hydroplane racing event held in San Diego during the 1980s, sponsored by Miller High Life beer. These high-speed boat races attracted thousands of spectators and were major sporting events on Mission Bay. Commemorative pin-back buttons like this one were produced as promotional items and souvenirs for attendees of the 1985 regatta. These vintage racing pins appeal to collectors of hydroplane racing memorabilia, breweriana enthusiasts who focus on Miller beer collectibles, and San Diego sports history collectors. The buttons represent a specific moment in American powerboat racing history and the golden era of corporate-sponsored water sports events. Such items are valued for their nostalgic connection to 1980s American sporting culture and their role as affordable entry points into vintage racing collectibles.