Rinker Returns to Action with Second Place Finish

For the second straight time in the 2009 F1-ChampBoat presented by AMSOIL season, Shaun Torrente took a win and is now very close to emulating his feat of a season ago when he won three straight at the start of the campaign.

The win, his sixth career victory, came in front of thousands of heat soaked fans along the mighty Ohio River at the Evansville Freedom Festival in Evansville, Ind. The six turn, 1.25 mile race course featured a heat index of 113 degrees and had three different drivers drop out of the race, forcing officials to re-start the race three different times in the fist half of the race.

“The boat ran great all day,” said Torrente. “We had it set up perfectly and it just got us through the right-hander the way we wanted it and made for a great day of racing for the whole team."

Defending series champion Terry Rinker took his second straight runner-up finish to start the 2009 campaign. The Florida driver running the AMSOIL sponsored boat spun out early in the race but fought back from eighth place to eventually take second.

“We have made some moves with the handling that aren't quite working out yet, but we should have them fixed by this week and be ready for Bay City,” said the four time champion. “We have had some wild moments at the River Roar event and look forward for a win this time around.”

With the win, Torrente now leads the championship ahead of Rinker by 37 points (1175-1138) with Brian Venton in third. The F1 ChampBoat Series presented by AMSOIL will return to action this weekend at the Annual Bay City River Roar in Bay City, Mich.

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