Monday, 28 November: For one of only a few times in the history of the UIM F1H2O World Championship, a second generation driver will come to the series, with young Grant Trask, son of former driver Bob Trask, making his debut driving for EMIC Racing Team at the Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 7-9 December.
The 27-year-old from Brisbane, Australia will become the third member of the EMIC organization joining drivers Marit Stromoy of Norway, along with another rookie participant, Germany’s Mike Szymura for the final two rounds at back-to-back events in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah to close out the 2016 campaign. “It's been a dream all my life to race on the international UIM F1H2O circuit ever since I watched my father [Bob] do so for six years a decade ago,” said Grant. “Now he'll be helping me chase my dream of someday becoming World Champion and it's so very special to have the “Trask Brand” back in the sport representing my country of Australia.”
Grant's racing resume, to say the least has been impressive. This young driver started out winning “Rookie-of-the-Year” trophies in the Australian F3 and F2 Championships back in 2006 and again in 2007 before going on to become the outright F2 titlist in 2008.
After taking a three year break from racing, while concentrating on family business from 2010 through 2013, the younger Trask came back with a vengeance, finishing in the top three in the Australian F1, 2000cc, FO and Unlimited Outboard Championships the last four years including winning the Unlimited Outboard Championship this season.
EMIC Racing Team General Manager Paola Bochetti is pleased to add the “Aussie” to the teams’ line-up just in time for her home Grand Prix on home waters in two weeks, “We are truly excited to have Grant join our racing family. I've known the Trask family for many years and they are lovely people and they will add a little “Aussie spice” to the tour and we are looking forward to their return to the championship in Abu Dhabi.”
Grant's father Bob raced from 2002 through the 2008 campaign earning 49 total points in his six plus years on the tour. His Uncle David Trask raced from 2004 through the 2008 season reaching the podium four times while earning 124.5 points and a pole position in 2007 at the Grand Prix of France in the city of La Rochelle.
This marks the third time in the recent history of the sport that a son has become a second generation driver with the famous Seebold family from the USA being the only family that saw both father and son win when Hall-of-Fame driver Bill captured three victories, with step-son Michael winning once and youngest son Tim also competing on the tour in 2010 finishing with 16 points that year.
Grant's appearance on the UIM F1H2O tour will tie the record for most family members having represented a “clan” with three, along with the Seebold's. Grant will be the seventh driver from the country of Australia to race on the tour in its 33 year-history.
The next stop on the 2016 campaign will be at the Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi on 7-9 December. It will be the 25th Grand Prix race since its inception back in 1993 marking the event as the longest held race in the history of the sport.
The addition of Grant and the return of the Trask family will make it a bit more intriguing.
