You are a world-renowned powerboat champion who has grown bored with standard racing.

The "story" behind is a blend of its real-world development at Midway Games and the lore within the game itself. The Real-World Origin

The game's concept was surprisingly born from a vacation. Members of the Midway development team were spending time at Lake Havasu when they were inspired by the fast boats and high energy. They wanted to recreate that adrenaline-fueled experience but "supercharged" it with nitromethane and rocket boosters for the 1999 arcade release. The In-Game Plot

You race in "future" environments that were never meant for racing—like the Venice Canals, a flooded New York City, or even Area 51—often being pursued by authorities telling you to "pull over". Iconic Elements

While mostly known for pure arcade action, the console manuals (Dreamcast, PS1, N64) actually provide a backstory: