ABU DHABI - Wednesday, 14th of August, 2013 - Having just completed the 2013 USF1 Championship tour on the fourth of August, two of the most celebrated drivers in North America are now focusing on taking their talents on the world stage as the UIM F1 H2O World Championship gears up for the 19th Grand Prix of China in Liuzhou on the first and second of October.
Floridian Terry Rinker, just coming off winning his seventh North American Championship in his 18th season of racing F1, is no stranger to the UIM F1 H2O tour having raced as a fill in driver in 2012 in the Emirates for the Qatar Team.
On a fast learning curve, getting into a new DAC race hull for the first time in his life, Terry qualified fifth in Abu Dhabi and finished eighth. A week later he did even better qualifying seventh and taking an eye opening second place reaching the podium in only his second race and finishing eighth in the drivers championship at season's end.
"Having raced for over thirty years and 18 in the F1 class, it is an easy transition for me to go from North America to racing on the world stage," stated Rinker. "It's great racing with the world's best drivers and a thrill to realize that I can reach a podium position with all this great competition around me. I'm hungry to come back and would love to get another opportunity to show off my skills. I'm working hard to come back before the season is over."
Meanwhile, he chief challenger on the North American stage, Tim Seebold, comes from the famous Seebold family, who have raced for more than 80 years via three generations of drivers that go back to his grandfather in the 1930's.
Tim, a five time USF1 Champion, has won more than anyone in North America with 33 victories. He is fresh coming off a string of three straight wins including last weekend's final event in Seattle, Washington just finishing behind Rinker in the standings for second place in the championship.
"The UIM F1 H2O tour is very close to my heart," said Tim. Both my father Bill and my older brother Michael have raced and won Grand Prix's in the past and I want to follow in their footsteps if possible."
"I had a chance to race with Skydive Dubai for three races in China back in 2010. We managed three top ten finishes in a pair of boats I had never raced before those Grand Prix weekends. We were definitely swimming uphill all the way but it was a real learning experience."
"This time around it would be great to race in the same boat for every Grand Prix we compete in. I hope I get another opportunity and we are working hard to make this happen."
Tim's father Bill is one of the most celebrated drivers in the history of the sport having been honored and elected to the UIM F1 H2O "Hall of Fame" a few years back. He is the winningest driver in powerboat racing having won over 900 races throughout his 47-year career. Tim would be happy becoming the third member of his family to join the rolls of winning a UIM F1 H2O Grand Prix event. He hopes he can get that chance in 2013.
The third round of the 2013 UIM F1 H2O World Championship takes place on the Liu River in Liuzhou, China for the 19th Grand Prix of China on the first and second of October. You can follow the news leading up to the event by going to the web's official site at www.f1h2o.com.
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