ABU DHABI - Thursday, November 22, 2012 - The Qatar Marine Sports Federation (QMSF) and it's Team Manager Khalid Al Kuwari have announced that it has signed six-time North American F1 Series Champion Terry Rinker to drive for the team for the upcoming Grand Prix's in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah the final two events of the 2012 UIM F1 H2O World Championship series for power boating.
The defending Team Champions from 2011 are awaiting a UIM decision from the protest filed by the club immediately following the verdict that the UIM race committee made at the last Grand Prix in Liuzhou, China deeming that their second driver, Shaun Torrente, was guilty of dangerous driving in his accident with two-time World Champion Sami Selio of Finland on a race re-start early in the event. The ruling would force Torrente to miss the final two races of the campaign and withdraw his provisional super license.
With the final decision on the protest expected to be handed down sometime next week the Qatar Team elected on bringing in the American veteran from Florida who has loads of talent and a great racing history.
"I'm really over joyed about getting a chance to drive with such a world known team as this one from Doha," said the driver from Florida. "Working again with Brendan Power is like old home week, since he and I were together for most of my North American Championships. This is my first time racing on the world circuit I am looking forward to meeting new people and enjoying the competition as well. Let's get it on!"
Terry holds the world record for consecutive F1 victories set back in 2006 on the North American Champboat Tour with seven straight wins. His continuous victory total surpassed 10-time World Champion Guido Cappellini who earned six straight back on the UIM F1 tour in 1996.
Over his career in F1 that dates back to the mid-1990's, Terry has totaled 18 victories racing in Canada and the United States while with his Blackhawk/Rinker Racing Amsoil sponsored Team.
Terry, who began racing for the first time 30 years ago in 1972 in the small J-Stock Hydro class, learned from his father Jan and now has his son Rob racing as well. He is the Owner/President of Rinker Machinery Inc in the Tampa, Florida area.
This year Terry broke five different speed records in the American Powerboat Association (APBA) setting a mark of 126.084 MPH (202.912 KPH) in a ¼ mile straightaway run in the F1 Class.
The Indiana native went even faster in the higher horse powered MOD U class with a 144.346 MPH mark and (232.302 KPH). He also set all-time speed records in the Formula 150, SST-200 and SST-120 classes earning him his fourth APBA Hall-of-Champions induction.
Terry, the Qatar Team and drivers from over 14 different nations, will be on hand for the start of free practice on the 28th of November. Official Qualifying and the battle for pole position is set for 15:00 local time on the 29th. The 21st Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi will take place at 15:30 local, 11:30 (GMT) and 06:30 EST on the East Coast of North America.
All the live action of Qualifying and the Grand Prix can be followed live via the Worldwide Television feed on the tours official website at www.f1h2o.com.
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