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5:16 AM Mon 17 Nov 2008 GMT
The Trask clan descended on the final round of the Australian F1 Superboat series with an impressive corporate presence and event sponsorship, all backed with the usual on-water flair and drama that is associated F1 boat racing.
Not only was this the final round of the 2008 series, but the event coincided with the UIM General Assembly being held on the Gold Coast. The UIM is the peak governing body for the world of powerboat racing, so the F1 Superboat event was staged in front of UIM delegates from the world over. Luminaries such as Scott Gillman (US based multiple F1 world champion) and Nicolo di San Germano (Monaco based promoter of the UIM World F1 series) were on hand to see the racing action.
In spite of the glitz and glamour, David Trask had to be content to attend the race with a new Cobra sports car in the Trask Development Corporation marquee, instead of his race boat. The team couldn't scrounge a suitable GTR race boat for the weekend with team resources committed to the international circuit. David Trask took a break from racing duties for the weekend, content to focus on resuming hostilities on the UIM F1 circuit in the UAE in December.
And so it was left to the father-son combo of Bob and Grant Trask to fly the Trask Development Corporation team flag, Bob in F1 and Grant in F2000.
Bob ran a set up identical to his current international rig and started well qualifying in second position. But a sluggish start off the dock and lack of power popping out of the turns relegated Bob to fourth position in both the first and second F1 heats.
By the time the third and final hear came around, Bob had his act together making a far better start and taking a tighter line through the short course to post the second fastest lap time in the heat.
The F1 honours for the day and the 2008 series went to Rhys Coles in his GTR hull sponsored by Byron Bay Breweries. Rhys is a multiple Australian F1 champion and exceptional race mechanic.
The Gold Cast race was a watershed for Rhys announcing on the one hand that this was his last drive in his own team. But at the same time Rhys and Bob Trask announced that Rhys had accepted the full time position of Bob Trask's personal crew chief.
While Bob Trask's racing on the Australia F1 Superboat circuit was limited to just two rounds due to international race commitments, Grant Trask had contested every round of the F2000 series, having already 'won' the 2008 title prior to going into the Gold Coast round.
But that didn't deter this talented young driver. Over the three rounds of the weekend, Grant won two and finished third once. Grant's most inspired drive was in the third round when he started in pole position three.
Showing all the determination and grit of his father, Grant went into the first turn in second place and on the outside of veteran driver Michael Page. Over the opening five or six laps, Grant Trask pressured Mick Page from the outside, running gunwale to gunwale down the straights and holding a very tight line through the turns.
Eventually Grant edged just far enough ahead to cut in front of Mick Page coming into the pit turn. In an exciting but legal move, Grant Trask moved ahead and set about opening a commanding lead. In a fine sporting gesture Mick Page said he had no problems with the overtaking manoeuvre.. but vowed that in 2009 his mission would be extract revenge and win the 2009 F2000 title.
Grant Trask narrowly won the Gold Coast round by 2 points ahead of Michael Page.
At their home town GP, the Trask Development Corporation team put on an exceptional exhibition with expansive hospitality facilities, a world class race facility and some great action on the water.
While the Australian F1 series may be over the year, Bob and David Trask still have two more rounds of the UIM F1 World Series in December.
The next round of the 2008 UIM F1 World Championship is to be contested in Abu Dhabi UAE on December 6th.
www.bobtraskf1.com/
by Trask Media
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