Rinker Grabs Pole, Finishes Second at AMSOIL Grand Prix

Floridian Shaun Torrente showed that maybe patience will be his new strategy for winning his first title as he took advantage of Tim Seebold’s engine expiring on the 17th lap and held on to win the opening 50 lap feature event for the 2009 F1-ChampBoat Tour presented by AMSOIL in front of thousands of spectators in Southeast Texas.


The race began with the five time champion Seebold grabbing a great start off the start pontoon ahead of pole sitting defending champion Terry Rinker of the AMSOIL Team and Torrente who quickly moved into the second. Seebold, who built up a comfortable margin early was dictating the pace until his engine let go in spectacular fashion catching fire and forcing the driver from Missouri to put the fire out by sinking the back transom of the hull before the rescue team could arrive.


For Torrente, it was a case of being patient once the race began and finally taking a great win, his first of the season and his fifth overall as he starts his fourth full time season on the tour.


“We did everything we needed to in order for us to win this weekend,” said Torrente. “We are happy with the victory and will take this momentum to the next event next in Evansville, Indiana and look for a win on the Ohio River on the weekend of the 20th and 21st of June. It’s a great way to start our pursuit in winning our first F1-ChampBoat title.”


Second went to defending series champion Rinker as his AMSOIL sponsored machine. Rinker did a great job in qualifying on Saturday, but was just a tick off during the 50 lap AMSOIL Grand Prix final. The Tampa resident, who is looking for his record setting fifth championship in 2009, battled to stay up in the top three for the first third of the race, finishing second once the Seebold boat went down. Rinker


“We were a bit disappointed with our start after having such a great day yesterday, but we hung in there and the bottom line is we crossed the finish line on the podium and are just behind in the points championship,” said Rinker. “The AMSOIL Team this season will be even more prepared at Evansville. I love the race site on the Ohio and am looking for a win in my home state when I return there in June.”


The second round of the 25th Anniversary Season of the F1 ChampBoat series heads to the Ohio River and the lovely south Indiana town of Evansville on June 20-21.

Until then, we'll see you at the races.