Rinker Sets World Record With 7th Straight
Torrente Takes 2nd; Seebold 3rd in Savannah
SAVANNAH, GA – Sunday, November 05, 2006 – The impossible dream season that only the longest odds makers would image came through when Terry Rinker in his Rinker Boats/Amsoil sponsored Leecraft hull came home with a 2.2 second victory over fellow Floridian Shaun Torrente of the California Gold Racing Team. The victory made for a clean sweep of the season with seven straight race wins and capturing a new World Record with his victory at the Inaugural Grand Prix of Savannah in front of thousands of race fans on the Savannah River.

The 50 lap event was hampered with a wild array of mishaps and restarts as the first 12 laps took 5 starts and over an hour to get going. At the end of the race, only 6 boats completed the event from the 20 drivers that had registered for the 7th and final round of the 2006 ChampBoat Grand Prix Series.

The driver from Tampa, Florida stayed out of harms way and held off a determined Shaun Torrente to do what most thought was impossible in his Blackhawk Racing effort by having the perfect season on a cold and windy day in southeast Georgia.

“It is a dream come true and I couldn’t have done this without my fine crew who prepared a perfect boat and all I had to do was get it to the finish,” stated Terry. “We look forward to keep the streak alive in ’07, we aren’t going to lie down now that we have the record, and we want to extend it in the worst way.”

For Torrente, the Miami, Florida driver had his best finish of the season in 2nd place. “I never thought I’d be happy for 2nd but I am today,” said Shaun. “I’m so excited and now we can carry this confidence into next season.”

The race came to a quick stop in the opening lap when Jeff Sheperd in his Hooter’s boat crashed out in a rough turn 4 ending his day when the boat crashed and rolled over. On the restart, Brian Normand in his Swipes sponsored boat came to rest at the entrance of turn one forcing the officials to once again bring a halt to the event on the 2nd lap.

Wyatt Nelson crashed out on lap 8 in turn four and forcing another stoppage. On the third restart local driver Michael “Hurricane” Floyd blew over in a big way on the back straightaway forcing the final restart without drivers Mark Major of Newmarket, Ontario, Michael Seebold of Marco Island, Florida and Chris Fairchild of Illinois who’s engines failed to refire.

At that point the 10 drivers remaining took the race to the final 38 laps with Torrente hounding Rinker at the front with Tim Seebold hanging on to a distant 3rd place in his Bud Light Racing Seebold boat, while Illinois driver Lynn Simburger placing 4th for his 6th top 5 place of the year.

Toronto, Ontario driver Brian Venton had his career best finish with a 5th while Ned Mihajlovic was also having a career best weekend taking 6th place in his SPN Motorsports effort.

Tokyo, Japan’s Yuzo Okawa was 7th in his first race back from his major accident in Japan two months ago, while rookie Canadian driver Steve Attard took a career best 8th.

Randy Rinker in the Rinker Boats/Amsoil boat was 9th with Formula 2 champion Kris Sheperd finishing 10th.

So the 2006 ChampBoat Grand Prix Series has come to a close and Terry Rinker has a record that no one in the history of the sport has done, win 7 straight races on his way to a perfect season. Now as we go into plans for the 2007 season can the man from Tampa, Florida keep his streak alive and only build on his success? Or will the ever expanding field of drivers from throughout the world change the texture of the competition and end the likeable Indiana drivers run. It’s only a matter of months before we will know. Stay tuned.

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Race Results

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Rinker Sets Fast Time In Savannah Qualifying
Shaun Torrente 2nd and Tim Seebold 3rd Quickest
SAVANNAH, GA. – Saturday, November 04, 2006 – Floridian Terry Rinker in his Rinker Boats/Amsoil sponsored Leecraft boat took a giant step closer to making his dream season a reality by taking the fast time for tomorrow’s Inaugural Grand Prix of Savannah on the Savannah River. The native of Tampa did a 32.45 second lap for 124.807 mph at the 7th and final round of the 2006 ChampBoat Grand Prix Series tomorrow.

“We knew we had to make a statement today in order to let everyone know we haven’t lost our enthusiasm for wanting this world record of seven straight victories,” said Terry. “My crew has been working in overdrive putting together a solid package for this very important final race. I’m very pleased with what has happened so far this weekend.”

The largest ChampBoat line-up of the season battled high winds and strong currents for most of the day that finally settled down in the late afternoon sun giving the drivers two solid laps to see who would set fast time. The first of many surprises came from part time past champion Mike Seebold of the Bud Light Racing Team setting a 34.62 which turned out to be 6th quickest at days end.

Canadian Mark Major from Newmarket, Ontario put together his best qualifying effort with the 4th quickest time running a fast lap of a 34.23. Another Canadian also from Ontario, Brian Venton, set his personal best 5th quick time with a 34.50 second lap.

Another rookie, Shaun Torrente of Miami, Florida thought he had the pole when he took his California Gold Racing Gary L. Barton Inc. sponsored boat around the 1.125 mile course on the Savannah River in a time of 32.84 to secure 2nd quick on the clock.

Tim Seebold, who has been one of the perennial fastest drivers in the series history, settled for 3rd quickest of the day with a 33.67 second lap in his Bud Light Racing Seebold built boat.

All in all 19 drivers from three different nations and two continents will take to the water on the Savannah River for tomorrow afternoon’s Grand Prix of Savannah and the final 50 laps of the 2006 ChampBoat Grand Prix Series at 3:00 pm local time, 20:00 GMT.

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ChampBoat To Cap Off Season With Spectacular Show
Full Weekend With GP Of Savannah & Awards Banquet
SAVANNAH, Georgia – Wednesday, October 11, 2006 – The spectacular setting of the Westin Savannah Harbor Resort and the historic downtown Savannah waterfront will be the setting for the inaugural Grand Prix of Savannah, the 7th and final round of the 2006 ChampBoat Grand Prix Series.

Terry Rinker of the Rinker Boats/Amsoil sponsored Blackhawk Racing Team comes into the event having tied an all-time world record for F1 powerboat drivers by having won the first six races of the 2006 season and now heads to Savannah, Georgia trying to make it a clean seven for seven and become the only driver in the history of the sport to win every race in a professional season.

“The Rinker Boats/Amsoil team has simply done a magnificent job this year,” stated the Tampa, Florida native. “I want to reward our team and our sponsors with the record and take back to back championships. I’m feeling more and more pressure from Shaun Torrente and Tim Seebold as they have been nipping at our heels, so, I know they are very hungry to shut us down and we must be at our best to make this a perfect season.”

Sitting 2nd in the points chase is a formable foe in Tim Seebold of the Bud Light Seebold Race Team who has won four titles himself. The native of St. Louis, Missouri is hoping to redeem himself in a big way with a win in the first ever event on the Savannah River.

“We’ve had lots of bad luck this year, but we want to win in Savannah for obvious reasons, but mostly so we can carry the momentum into the 2007 season,” stated the one-time high school wrestling champion. “We have been working hard doing a lot of testing and we feel we will present our best package for victory when we arrive in Georgia in a few weeks.”

Joining Tim in the Bud Light Seebold Racing Team will be his older brother Michael, who raced just once previous this season with a fine 2nd place at his home circuit at St. Louis. He will be chasing his 29th career victory while adding to his all-time victory list as the winningest driver in the history of the sport in his famous #11 Bud Light boat.

Shaun Torrente of the California Gold/Gary L. Barton Corporation Racing effort will be again hoping to put his Grand Prix boat back up front again looking for his first win of the year in his first full season of F1 racing. The East-West Xpress driver is hungry to get that win that has been so elusive this season despite leading most of the previous events in 2006.

“We’ve proved we are quick, leading most events but failing to finish,” stated the Miami, Florida driver. “We are going to do everything we can to end the season with what we have been working on all year, winning!”

Third in the championship is veteran Illinois driver Lynn Simburger in his Famous Craft sponsored Seebold built boat that has proven once again he is one of the most consistent drivers in the series. Having finished every race in the mix for the podium all season the many time champion of various classes is looking for his first ChampBoat Series victory of his career in Savannah.

Wyatt Nelson of Syracuse, New York is part of the four boat battle that will contest for 2nd place in the championship behind Rinker. He is currently just 60 points behind Simburger and 131 points back of Seebold as he will bring his Italian DAC hull to Savannah looking for his first ChampBoat victory after a strong 2nd place finish in Hartford, Connecticut.

Louisiana driver Brian Normand is also part of the run for 2nd in the series in his Swipes sponsored Hoffman boat. The ex-offshore racer is the front runner for Rookie-of-the-Year and is hoping to again have a weekend like he did earlier in the season at the Greater Cincinnati Grand Prix where he took a well earned 2nd place.

Chris Fairchild of the Hooters Racing Team comes into the Grand Prix of Savannah on a bit of a roll having reached the podium in the last two events and has charged himself into a battle for 3rd in the championship. The Illinois driver has proven in the past that he has the speed to win, which he has done before, and is always a real threat for the top step during any weekend.

Tennessee driver Jeff Sheperd is also fighting for Rookie-of-the-Year honors hoping to get back on the podium like he did in July at the Greater Cincinnati Grand Prix. Jeff has proved this season he is a force that is getting better and better with each passing race. A pair of Canadians that have made an impression all year is series regular driver Brain Venton his old and reliable RAM hull that is going to be retired at the end of the season. Despite this, he has run a steady season and is expected back next season with a new boat and hoping for more top 5 results.

Toronto native Mark Major is coming off a fine pair of 4ths at the Grand Prix of Hartford and the St. Louis Grand Prix in the last two events that he has raced. He is hoping to make it to the podium for the first time in his career.

Last years Rookie-of-the-Year Dennis Klepadlo of Michigan is hoping to end the season with a top-5 performance and come back next year strongly in a new effort. Florida driver Ned Mihaljovic is looking to finish with a steady performance while looking for his first top-5 performance of the season.

The final race weekend of the 2006 ChampBoat Grand Prix Series is shaping up to be a spectacular weekend of racing coupled with a year end awards banquet making the inaugural Grand Prix of Savannah both an anticipated and memorable final event during a record breaking year on the 5th of November.

TENTATIVE ENTRY LIST:

1. #10 Terry Rinker Tampa Bay, FL
2. #16 Tim Seebold Osage Beach, MO
3. #72 Lynn Simburger Elsah, IL
4. #12 Brian Normand New Orleans, LA
5. #62 Chris Fairchild Chicago, IL
6. #38 Jeff Shepherd Nashville, TN
7. #39 Wyatt Nelson Syracuse, NY
8. #34 Shaun Torrente Miami, FL
9. #17 Brian Venton Toronto, Canada
10. #41 Randy Rinker Syracuse, Indiana
11. #30 Yuzo Okawa Tokyo, Japan
12. #26 Dennis Klepadlo Gaylord, MI
13. #43 Ned Mihajlovic Ft. Lauderdale, FL
14. #11 Mike Seebold Marco Island, FL
15. #2 Matt Sadl St. Louis, MO
16. #7 Mark Major Toronto, Canada
17. # Al Robinson Minneapolis, MN
18. #124 Steve Attard Georgetown, Ontario, Canada
19. #47 Jeff Martin Brampton, Ontario, Canada
20. # Nathan Worthy Nixa, MO
21. #46 Kris Shepard Chicago, IL
22. # Michael Floyd Savannah, GA

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EVENT SCHEDULE

Friday, November 3rd
8:00 - 12:00	Golf Tournament (best ball, shotgun start)
2:00 - 4:00	Media Event/2-Seater
6:00 - 7:30	Cocktail reception (Westin pool side)
Saturday, November 4th
10:00 - 10:30	Drivers Meeting
11:00 - 12:00	ChampBoat Practice 1
12:00 - 12:30	Vintage Jersey Speed Skiffs Demo
12:30 - 1:30	ChampBoat Practice 2
2:00 - 3:00	Time Trials: 2-lap qualifying
3:00 - 4:00	ChampBoat Heat 1 (15 laps)
4:00 – 5:00	Drivers Autograph Session (Savannah Trade center)
6:00 - 8:00	Drivers/Sponsors Oyster Roast (Westin resort)
Sunday, November 5th
10:00 - 10:30	Drivers Meeting
10:30 - 11:00	LPM Church Service (non-denominational)
11:30 - 12:30	ChampBoat final practice
12:30 - 1:00	Vintage Jersey Speed Skiffs Demo
1:00 - 2:00	ChampBoat Heat 2 (15 laps)
2:00 – 2:30	Vintage Jersey Speed Skiffs Demo
2:30 - 3:00	Opening Ceremonies/National Anthem
3:00 - 4:00	ChampBoat Grand Prix of Savannah (50 laps)
4:30 - 5:00	Savannah Cup -Trophy presentation
7:30 - 11:00	2006 ChampBoat Series Banquet (tickets required)
Monday, November 6th
9:00-11:00	ChampBoat Marketing Meeting
11:00-3:00	Last chance golfer’s

Notes:

• Historic Savannah is a wonderful city that can be enjoyed on foot. For those of you looking to enjoy the beach, Tybee Island and Hilton Head Island are nearby.
• All event activities, including the start dock are located on the Westin Resort property.
• Paddock will be located next door at the Savannah Trade and Convention center.
• Local transportation: free water taxis run from Westin to historic downtown Savannah.
• This event will be extremely nice. Enjoy!

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VIP PADDOCK CLUB

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OFFICIAL HOTEL
Westin Savannah Harbor Resort

• ChampBoat special room rate: $159. (call-in rate)
• ChampBoat Banquet per person $60.
  Golf tournament $105.

Please call/email Westin to confirm room reservations (info below)
Please email Mike@Champboat.com to make golf/banquet reservations by Oct. 5th.

Notes:

• Historic Savannah is a wonderful city that can be enjoyed on foot. For those of you looking to enjoy the beach, Tybee Island and Hilton Head Island are nearby.
• All event activities, including the start dock are located on the Westin Resort property.
• Paddock will be located next door at the Savannah Trade and Convention center.
• Local transportation: free water taxis run from Westin to historic downtown Savannah.
• This event will be extremely nice. Enjoy!

Westin Savannah Contact:

Ericka Loverher Sales Coordinator
The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa
One Resort Drive Savannah, GA31421
TEL 912.201.2219 FAX 912.201.2077
Ericka.Loverher@westin.com 
www.westinsavannah.com 
TEAM ONLY ROOM RESERVATIONS: http://www.starwoodmeeting.com/StarGroupsWeb/booking/reservation?id=0609270047&key=5A5AE

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DIRECTIONS

Here are the directions for the Savannah paddock. The official hotel, the Westin Savannah Harnor Resort is located next door, but all rigs must be parked in the Savannah Trade Center lot.

Note: Water taxi's run all day to Historic Downtown Savannah (the other side). So anyone who is staying on the downtown side, can take a water taxi across. The water taxi's run until 12pm.

http://www.savtcc.com/driving.php

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Contact us for more info