Mike Tilton Online

New Orleans native Jay Price won the UIM Formula 1 event in Portimao, Portugal on Sunday, May 4, 2008.      Jay is only one of 10 United States drivers to win a Eurpoean F1 event. 

Jay drives for the Qatar Racing Team.

Congratulations Jay!

 Sunday, May 4, 2008

Qatar Team Shines in SPORT Season Opener

          Highlands, Texas on a Sunday afternoon is normally a quiet little town in Southeast Texas.  But for one weekend a year for nearly fifty years, the Baytown Boat Club’s unique facility opens it’s doors and arm to welcome APBA powerboat racers.

          This year’s edition was a struggle as well as a treat.  The struggle was the weather, especially the sustained windy conditions that chopped up the San Jacinto River.  Luckily, the river has carved out a distinct small semi protected lake directly where the Baytown Boat Club has it’s buildings and boat ramp.

          S.P.O.R.T.’s Race Director John Schubert was on top of the weather conditions and the racers were extremely cooperative and the race was expertly executed when weather permitted.

          The Super Stock Tri hulls stole the show, as usual.  Weather is no match for these hearty racers. They thrive on rough condition and one pin turns. Personally, I think they need some mental help, but they are my favorite class.

          The “ Magic Man” Michael Schubert nabbed the first tri Hull victory of the season.  His SPORT Marine, Richmond, TX based machine narrowly taking the win from the 2007 SS Tri Hull Champion Kevin Beaulier.  Corey Walker nailed down the third spot with 65 year old veteran racer “Scary” Jerry Rinker and Thibodaux, Louisiana’s twenty-year old college student “Wicked” Whitney Terry rounding out the top five finishers. 

          In SST-45 action, the “Texas City Terror”, diminutive Tiffany McKinley took home the gold and the SPORT tour points lead besting podium finishers Rueben Ascencio and Doug Langham.

          The field of SST-120 pilots had to battle probably the roughest water and windy conditions of the weekend.  “Gorgeous” Glynn Matthews drove David Christopher’s Custom Dirt Works entry to the winner’s circle in the ten lap Main Event.  Two Miami, FL pilots followed Matthews across the finish line.  Shawn “Hollywood” Torrente drove John Jorowicz’s Miffco Race Boats entry to a runner up finish and the “Miami Madman” Jose Mendana, Jr drove his immaculate Pugh hull to a third place podium finish.

          Now for some real exciting news, finishing in the fourth and spots were Ahmed Al Fayyad and Yousef Al Khulaifi, both of Doha, Qatar.  The Qatar Marine Sports Federation brought Ahmed and Yousef to the Highlands Spring Classic to get some valuable racing experience and with the condition being what they were, the 2 QMSF drivers showed their professional skills as well as any I have seen.  Both, Ahmed and Yousef were driving borrowed equipment that they had never raced before.  Both drivers were safe, respectful, smart and fast!!!

          In the Champ class, Ahmed Al Fayyad of Doha, Qatar raced to his first ever Championship by blasting off the dock and winning the event start to finish.  Brian “Stormin” Norman of Covington, LA and Yousef Al Khulaifi also of Doha, Qatar rounded out the top three podium finishers.

          Al Fayyad and Al Khulaifi were well coached by Qatar Team driver Jay Price who currently sits in the second spot in European Formula 1 points.  Turning the wrenches and making fine tuning adjustments of the QMSF team engines and hulls was Brendan Powers.  QMSF Team Manager Khalid Al Kuwari was on hand with a handful of family and friends cheering for Ahmed and Yousef.   All in all, the Qatar team had a great experience for the first time racing with the APBA drivers and they look forward to their next return visit.

          With the experience gained in Texas, the Qatar Team head now to the Formula 1 circuit in Europe with their next event on May 3 and 4 in Portimao, Portugal.

          The S.P.O.R.T drivers head that same weekend of May 3 and 4 to Port Neches, Texas to do battle at Riverfest 2008, arguably the premier stop on the Texas Tour!

For more information:

                    http://www.sportracingseries.com

                    http://www.qmsf.org

                    http://www.miketiltononline.com

1.   CHAMP Class 

   Ahmed Al Fayyad, Doha, Qatar

   Brian Norman, Covington, LA

   Yousef Al Khalaifi, Doha, Qatar

     SST-120 

   Glynn Matthews

   Shawn Torrente

   Jose Mendana, Jr

   Ahmed Al Fayyad

   Yousef Al Kalaifi

     SST-45 

   Tiffany McKinley

   Reuben Ascencio

   Doug Langham

   Brian Norman

     Super Stock Tri Hull 

   Michael Schubert

   Kevin Beaulier

   Corey Walker

   Jerry Rinker

   Whitney Terry

   Hunter Barber

   Brian Chasteen

   Shawn Torrente

  At the Gran Prix of Qatar, former S.P.O.R.T. and POWERBOAT SUPERLEAGUE stalwart driver Jay Price out of New Orleans, LA scored a second place finish to Jonas Anderson of Team Sweden.  Jay, driving for Team Qatar must have realy had the home town crowd cheering as Anderson won by a scant 1.76 seconds.  David Trask of Australia was third on the podium.  Defending F1 World Champ Sami Selio got fourth place honors and many time F1 champ Italian driver Guido Cappellini rounded out the top five finishers.  Sounds like a great event for the first race of European F1 season.  Next stop Portugal on May 4th.                 info from F1boat.com