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Creve Coeur, Mo - Terry Rinker won his third St. Louis Bud Light Championship Grand Prix and his first race of the year.
“It was hair-raising victory,” said a relieved Terry Rinker
Rinker dominated most of the race leading all but one lap of the 50 lap final. It was a ‘hair raising’ race because it was very congested at times passing slower boats which allowed the other race competitors, in particular, Sean Torrente, the ability to close tightly and eventually pass Rinker on lap 44.
“Traffic was horrendous,” said Rinker.
Rinker started on the pole and took the hole-shot at the start of the race followed by St. Louis fan favorite, Tim Seebold and in third, series point leader, Sean Torrente. The top three stayed that way for the first half of the race as they sliced in and out passing slower boats.
Sean Torrente, who is on a terror this season after winning each of the first three events this year, eventually tracked down Tim Seebold and took over second place mid way through the race. Torrente then set his sights on Rinker. At first, he was over 4 seconds behind but every lap he shaved a little bit time off the lead to eventually they were literally nose to tail.
On lap 44 as the pair raced for the start finish line, Torrente took a brief lead but could not hold on as pair both had to check up for slower boats. This allowed Rinker to blow back into the lead and once again Torrente was over 4 seconds behind with not enough laps to catch up.
While the battle was going on for first, Tim Seebold, was able to narrow the gap and was close behind Torrente. But with only a few laps left, Seebold was unable to catch Torrente and had to settle for a third place finish.
“It was rally hard to pass today,” said Seeobld. “We really wanted to be on top today.
Lynn Simburger, from nearby Elsah, Il, started well and held on to fourth place and battled Fenton’s own, Todd Beckman who was in fifth place. But Simburger had a mechanical failure on lap 27 and had to settle for an 11th place finish. Beckman for his part, held on and finished fourth place, but it was not without action, as he raced the last quarter the race just ahead of the race leaders as he did all he could from being lapped.
For Rinker, it was a better finish than last year when it appeared he might win but was penalized for a driving infraction.
“It is absolutely great,” said Rinker describing his victory this year. “And I can’t thank the fans enough for their support.”
Final Results:
1. Terry Rinker, Tampa, FL
2. Sean Torrente, Homesteday, FL
3. Tim Seebold, Osage Beach, MO
4. Todd Beckman, Fenton, MO
5. Randy Rinker, Syracuse, IN
6. Matt Sadl, Pacific, MO
7. Brain Venton, Bowmanville, ON
8. Nithat Kunjeng, Thailand
9. Brian Normand, Manderville, LA
10. Mike Schubert, Houston, TX
11. Lynn Simburger, Elsah, IL
12. Jeff Shephard, Woodlawan, TN
Story / Photos By: Kevin Proot
St. Louis Motor Racing News
http://stlracingphotos.smugmug.com/gallery/5612716_BJCdC#344557443_qRJDy
Creve Coeur, Mo - Terry Rinker won his third St. Louis Bud Light Championship Grand Prix and his first race of the year.
“It was hair-raising victory,” said a relieved Terry Rinker
Rinker dominated most of the race leading all but one lap of the 50 lap final. It was a ‘hair raising’ race because it was very congested at times passing slower boats which allowed the other race competitors, in particular, Sean Torrente, the ability to close tightly and eventually pass Rinker on lap 44.
“Traffic was horrendous,” said Rinker.
Rinker started on the pole and took the hole-shot at the start of the race followed by St. Louis fan favorite, Tim Seebold and in third, series point leader, Sean Torrente. The top three stayed that way for the first half of the race as they sliced in and out passing slower boats.
Sean Torrente, who is on a terror this season after winning each of the first three events this year, eventually tracked down Tim Seebold and took over second place mid way through the race. Torrente then set his sights on Rinker. At first, he was over 4 seconds behind but every lap he shaved a little bit time off the lead to eventually they were literally nose to tail.
On lap 44 as the pair raced for the start finish line, Torrente took a brief lead but could not hold on as pair both had to check up for slower boats. This allowed Rinker to blow back into the lead and once again Torrente was over 4 seconds behind with not enough laps to catch up.
While the battle was going on for first, Tim Seebold, was able to narrow the gap and was close behind Torrente. But with only a few laps left, Seebold was unable to catch Torrente and had to settle for a third place finish.
“It was rally hard to pass today,” said Seeobld. “We really wanted to be on top today.
Lynn Simburger, from nearby Elsah, Il, started well and held on to fourth place and battled Fenton’s own, Todd Beckman who was in fifth place. But Simburger had a mechanical failure on lap 27 and had to settle for an 11th place finish. Beckman for his part, held on and finished fourth place, but it was not without action, as he raced the last quarter the race just ahead of the race leaders as he did all he could from being lapped.
For Rinker, it was a better finish than last year when it appeared he might win but was penalized for a driving infraction.
“It is absolutely great,” said Rinker describing his victory this year. “And I can’t thank the fans enough for their support.”
Final Results:
1. Terry Rinker, Tampa, FL
2. Sean Torrente, Homesteday, FL
3. Tim Seebold, Osage Beach, MO
4. Todd Beckman, Fenton, MO
5. Randy Rinker, Syracuse, IN
6. Matt Sadl, Pacific, MO
7. Brain Venton, Bowmanville, ON
8. Nithat Kunjeng, Thailand
9. Brian Normand, Manderville, LA
10. Mike Schubert, Houston, TX
11. Lynn Simburger, Elsah, IL
12. Jeff Shephard, Woodlawan, TN
Story / Photos By: Kevin Proot
St. Louis Motor Racing News
