Latvian Rookie Pursued U.I.M. Sst-120 World Title!
ABU DHABI, UAE – 21st of July, 2008 – As the summer recess for the 2008 U.I.M. F1 World Championship continues, participants of the current world tour stay busy with other pursuits to keep busy and stay focused before the next round in the title at the Grand Prix of China in October.
One example of this came when F1 World Championship point’s leader Jay Price of the Qatar Team was called in by his close friend and fellow competitor Uvis Slakteris rookie-of-the-year candidate from the F1 Team Sweden squad flew to America and asked Jay to be along side as his radio man and mentor as he pursued the U.I.M. F1 SST-120 World Championship in Marietta, Ohio.
The driver from New Orleans, Louisiana who is a veteran in the SST-120 and SST-140 championships that date back to the mid 1980’s was all but willing to help his Latvian friend.
The pair got to know each other a few years ago when both were running in the F2 World Championship. Jay moved full time up to the F1 tour two years ago while Uvis has taken up the challenge of F1 this season while continuing his F2 Continental and U.I.M. F2 World Cup Series pursuits.
“Jay did a great job getting me to feel part of the family in America and at the same time did his best to improve our position in qualifying and in the race,” stated Uvis. “We finished the weekend in a disappointing 12th place but considering it was a new boat and series for me it was a great time and I loved the atmosphere here. These guys are all one big family and help each other when someone needs a favor. I am looking to come back to America and represent Latvia again in the near future.”
Uvis and Jay were helped out when fellow SST-120 team driver led by Howie Nichols of Cocoa, Florida lent his backup boat to the 28 year old from Bauska, Latvia. Howie finished 14th at the end of the day while another Florida driver, veteran Bill May came out of retirement to win the U.I.M. SST-120 title in his new Gary Pugh designed boat.
As Uvis heads back to Latvia to get ready for the next round of the U.I.M. F2 World Cup Series on home waters in Riga, on the 17th of August, Jay is planning on spectating at the 4th Round of the 2008 F1-ChampBoat Series in the long running “Bud Light St. Louis Grand Prix” that has been attended by over 11 past U.I.M. F1 World Champions in it’s 30+ years of racing tradition on the 2nd and 3rd of August. Four-time World Champion and current Abu Dhabi Team Manager Scott Gillman is also expected to attend.
All in all, it’s great seeing fellow competitors who battle so hard in the ultimate challenge on water, the U.I.M. F1 World Championship, can also find time to help each other in their common goal to be a success on water no matter where they are in the world they happen to race.
