“Rinker Ties Record”
Team AMSOIL driver sets all-time mark with sixth straight
Hartford, Conn. ~ Team AMSOIL powerboat driver Terry Rinker held off the field to win the 50 lap inaugural Grand Prix of Hartford on the Connecticut River last weekend. To the delight of tens of thousands of race fans, Rinker tied the world record of six straight wins and moved a step closer to his second consecutive ChampBoat Grand Prix Series championship.
The Tampa, Florida driver won his 14th career race from the pole on Sunday. Rinker felt pressure from Shaun Torrente and Wyatt Nelson at the end of the race but was still able to hold on and win by more than two seconds.
“We felt pressure all day but we keep a close eye on our competition and did what we had to do in traffic to get the job done,” said Rinker. “Both Shaun and Wyatt were tough on us, I give them credit, but I want to also salute my crew for preparing another first class effort. They are the best in the business, bar none.”
Rinker will have to wait six weeks to capture the series championship. Rinker is in position to take the title by just starting one qualifying heat at the last race of the season. The ChampBoat Grand Prix Series looks toward Savannah, Georgia for its finale on November 4-5, 2006.
"SuperTeam" Narrows Championship Gap
Oberg, Douglas both in championship chase
Chula Visa, Calif. ~ The AMSOIL Super Team continued its strong finish to the 2006 Championship Off-Road Racing series last weekend with a tri-fecta of podiums during rounds 13 and 14 in Chula Vista, Calif.
Scott Douglas, who took three wins and five podiums at the last weekend of racing in Crandon, Wis., got the weekend started off with a third place finish in the Pro-4, four – wheel drive class on Saturday. Douglas, who entered the weekend third overall in Pro-4 points, also finished Sunday’s race in third. He retained his third place standing, and is just 10 points away from second.
In the Pro-2, two-wheel drive class the AMSOIL Super Team made another podium when pro rookie Mike Oberg finished second on Saturday. Oberg had another strong run on Sunday, finishing fourth. Douglas, meanwhile, finished fourth on Saturday and fifth on Sunday, with Dan Vanden Heuvel getting caught up in accidents both days, finishing 17 and tenth. Oberg, who has been one of the top drivers in the second half of the season, is making a late season push towards a championship. The Eagle River, Wis.-native sits only three points out of first place. Douglas, fifth overall, has rejoined the Pro-2 points battle and is one of five drivers less than 12 points from winning the title. Vanden Heuvel currently sits in 12th.
AMSOIL driver Steve Barlow currently sits in seventh after picking up a second place on Sunday in the Pro-2 class. He finished eighth on Saturday. Barlow, a California-native, drives for the Red Bull team, and is corporately sponsored on an associate level by AMSOIL.
Pro-Lite driver Dan Vanden Heuvel, Jr. tied his best effort of the season. The rookie out of Appleton, Wis. finished fifth on Sunday after taking an 11th on Saturday. “Junior” is 13th in the point’s race.
The championship battle will conclude on October 21-22 in Chula Vista, Calif.
“Dube Goes Global”
Canadian Rider leads national team against the world
Matterley Basin, Winchester, England ~ Despite being bruised and battered by a season long battle for the Canadian motocross title, nothing was going to stop Team AMSOIL rider Marco Dube from racing in the annual Motocross of Nations in England.
Dube was one of three Canadian riders chosen to represent their country on the world stage. The team, lead by Dube, Blair Morgan and Colton Facciotti, qualified for Sunday’s final in 15th place. The team battled bad luck all weekend long. Morgan received a flat tire, Dube experienced a broken fork and Facciotti burned multiple clutches. For Team Canada, which finished 18th overall, racing in the Motocross of Nations was a once in a lifetime opportunity.
“The MXDN was such a great experience,” said Dube. “It was amazing to see how many fans came to see the biggest motocross event in the world. It’s too bad we had such bad luck, but it was an honor to be invited.”
Team USA, led by James Steward, Ivan Tedesco and Ryan Villipoto won the event this year. Team AMSOIL rider Kevin Windham was an alternate and part of the 2005 winning U.S. squad. As for Dube, he will be resting a tired back but is scheduled to race at the opening round of the World Supercross in Winnipeg in November.
“Smith Rallies For Fine Finish”
Late Model racer makes move on field in central Iowa
Greenwood, Neb. ~ Brady Smith and his late model team invaded the I-80 Speedway in Greenwood, Neb. over the weekend for a pair of World Dirt Racing League (WDRL) Series events. On Friday, Smith won his heat race, but unfortunately did not accumulate enough points to be eligible for the dash. The Solon Springs, Wis. native rolled off ninth for the A-Main and passed seven cars in the 25-lap A-Main en route to a solid runner-up finish behind winner Chad Simpson. Night two of the 'Cornhusker Classic' was postponed due to rain and the $5,000 to win feature event will be made up on Saturday, October 14. At this time, Smith is not sure if he will return to Nebraska for the one-night show.
Smith will be in Iowa this weekend for the Knoxville Late Model Nationals at the Knoxville Raceway in Knoxville, Iowa. Racing begins on Thursday and wraps up on Saturday.
Co-op Sponsorships
If you are a T-1 certified AMSOIL Dealer looking to sponsor a local racer through the AMSOIL Co-op Race Program, please fill out the G-2074 and send it the AMSOIL Racing Department. Teams who were sponsored last year will need to fill out the form once again. Also, please remember to send in your race results, as they will be included in the Checkered Flag.
Motocross racer Zach Johnson earned a win in the 16-24 A class at Hawkeye Downs in Iowa. Johnson also took home a pair of second place finishes in the 250 A and Open classes. Johnson recently signed a nine-race deal t run in the BooKoo and Toyota Arenacross series with AMSOIL Dealer Randy Johnson (no relation) in both the Pro Lites and AMA Arenacross classes.
