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SEEBOLD WINS FIRST RACE OF SEASON IN MICHIGAN!
RINKER TAKES OVER LEAD IN CHAMPIONSHIP; TORRENTE CRASHES OUT!
ALGONAC, Michigan - August 10, 2008 - Tim Seebold of the Bud Light
Seebold Race Team had the perfect start and charged to the front of
the field on the opening lap from 3rd place on the grid and led
every tour of the shortened 30 lap event winning his first race of
the season and his 26th of his career in the rough and tumble
conditions at the "Chris Craft Cup" event in Algonac, Michigan in
front of thousands of race fans on a wind swept afternoon.
The race, on the longest circuit of the season at 1.5 miles (2.25
kilometers) around the four pin circuit was run on the St. Clair
River just north of downtown Detroit in historic Algonac a city
famous for its boat building heritage. It became a survival test for
most drivers and the officials decided to stop the event 5 laps
short of its scheduled 35 lap event to the relief of most of the
field of 15.
"This was the roughest race course in my 35 year career," said Tim.
"The Bud Light Team put together a perfect setup and we went for
broke on the start and it paid off in the end. There was 2 foot
waves and swells that made this event one to remember but it was a
satisfying day and now we are right back in a position to defend the
championship with a few races left to run in the season."
Florida driver Terry Rinker of the Amsoil/Rinker Racing effort came
home 2nd some 8 seconds behind as he battled the rough conditions
and the 28 knot winds all afternoon as well. His 2nd place after
last weeks win in St. Louis vaults him into 1st place in the drivers
championship with 2693 points which is 49 points ahead of fellow
Florida driver Shaun Torrente who barrel rolled his Talon Boats/Gary
L. Barton Inc./Speedmaster Marine Gran Prix hull down in turn 2 just
as he was ready put a move on Seebold for the overall lead on the
16th lap stopping the race and moving him out of 1st in the
championship.
Back from injuries was Chris Fairchild hopping into his Pugh
designed boat and driving for race organizer Tom D'Eath and scoring
a well earned 3rd place despite racing in pain with multiple
fractures from his opening race crash back in May in Pickwick,
Tennessee.
Thailand's Nithat Kunjeng won the "Hard Charger" of the day award
storming from 7th to finish 4th in his Italian built Blaze boat to
tie his best ever career finish in his Singha Beer sponsored machine
and now 8th in the drivers championship with 2168 points.
Fifth was Canadian Brian Venton with his 5th straight top eight
finish of the season sitting 5th in the championship with 2353
points in his Jenkinson Telecom/Hancock Inc. Gran Prix boat.
Rookie driver Jose Mendana from Miami, Florida in only his 2nd race
of his F1-ChampBoat career came home a fine 6th after starting 15th
in teammate Shaun Torrente's backup hull.
Seventh was Illinois driver Lynn Simburger in the Playcraft Boats
sponsored Seebold hull now 4th in the championship with 2423 points.
First timer and long time hydroplane racer Mark Weber of St. Clair
Shores, Michigan finished an impressive 8th after blowing over in
the morning heat race to recover to take his first top 10
performance in his Navy sponsored craft.
Robert Dinicolantonio did a nice job filling in for regular driver
Randy Rinker in the 2nd Amsoil/Rinker Racing boat finishing 9th on
the day, while Louisiana competitor Brian Normand took the final top
10 position in his Seebold built boat in his 2nd race of the 2008
campaign.
Jeff Shepherd of Woodlawn, Tennessee was 11th; Mark Welch of
Wayzata, Minnesota was 12th; Scott Toole of Oshawa, Ontario Canada
in his very first race was 13th while Mike Schubert of Houston,
Texas dropped out early and finished 15th.
In other action, Shaun Torrente of Miami, Florida took the victory
in the F2 (Champ-2) event with Donny Lick of Hastings, Minnesota 2nd
and Mark Proffitt of Lake City, Tennessee finishing on the podium
and now moving into first place in the driver's championship.
Jason Nelson of Altanta, Georgia won the F3 (SST45) event with
Canadian Dan Orchard finishing 2nd and Michigander Mike Beegle
finishing 3rd.
The next round of the 2008 F1-ChampBoat Series will take place on
the weekend of September 27-28 as the series heads west to Tempe ,
Arizona for the "Tempe Grand Prix".
For additional
information:
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