| The most competitive season in the history of the Pro Tunnel Tour is coming to the Sabine River, September 24th and 25th, in Orange TX! |
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The most competitive season in the history of the Pro Tunnel Tour is coming to the Sabine River, September 24th and 25th, in Orange TX. Just 96 points separate the top 5 drivers in the series, and these drivers are also competing for national high points honors in the American Power Boat Association (APBA). The APBA National Championships were held over Labor Day weekend and the action on the Sabine promises to be just as competitive with the PTT series title on the line. This is the 4th annual Showdown on the Sabine presented by the Southern Professional Outboard Racing Tour (SPORT).
Formula Lights National Champion, # 78 Butch Ott, Stoney Pointe, Ontario, Canada will lead the tour into Orange. Ott started his Hoffman hull from the fourth starting position and jammed his way past runner-up # 21 Jose Mendana, Jr on the 17th lap of the 30 lap final. Mendana kept the pressure on Ott as the lead pack worked through lapped traffic. Ott would be leading the series if not for a technical disqualification at the season opener in Port Neches back in May. Ott currently is in sixth place in the title chase, only 13 points out of fifth.
The Tampa Tornado, # 10 Rob Rinker, Tampa, FL, AMSOIL/Rinker Racing, captured a 3rd place finish at the Nationals from the sixth starting spot on the dock. Rinker also claimed the National Championship in the SST-60 class. Rinker’s dad, Terry, claimed three APBA National titles in the SST-120, MOD-U, and the F1 classes. In addition to the National Championship titles, Terry Rinker should capture the National High Points titles in these three classes as well. Both drivers will be competing on the Sabine. Rob Rinker is only 61 points out of the PTT points lead and hopes to bring home the title along with his dad’s SST-120 championship in the APR Superleague. Not a bad year for AMSOIL/Rinker racing.
The Pro Tunnel Tour 2011 Rookie of the Year, # 27 Candlewood Suites (Port Neches) sponsored entry of Carlos Mendana, Miami, FL, charged his way from the 14th starting position to a fifth place at the Nationals who also finished a very fine 4th at the World Championships back in July.. Carlos has been the most consistent driver on the tour this year according to series director Fred Miller. Carlos is currently third in the PTT points standing just 66 points behind the lead and 5 behind Rob Rinker.
Long time racer and series veteran # 9 Don Wilson, Jefferson City, MO, driving the Hampton Inn (Orange, TX) sponsored entry holds down the number four spot in the point standings. Wilson qualified in the top 3 the last two races, but a “loose nut” behind the wheel and a blown motor at the Nationals has dropped him from second to fourth place in the PTT points chase. The man holding down fifth in points is # 26 Steve Lee, Ocala, FL, running a full PTT schedule and competing in the F1 PROP Tour too. Lee finished in 8th place in Formula 1 and sixth in Formula Lights at the Nationals.
Jose Mendana Jr., older brother of Carlos, will be heading to one of his best if not the best race course for him and the team on the tour. Mendana Jr. has won two of the three events in Orange with a mechanical failure in the second year while leading denying him of another victory. Mendana Jr. will be driving for Starving Marvin’s and will look to improve on his second places finishes at both the National and World Championships. Not running a full Formula Lights schedule, Mendana Jr. sits seventh in the championship standings with a shot of finishing in the top five.
The current points leader # 66 Granger Chevrolet (Orange, TX) sponsored boat of Steve Merleau, St. Joseph, MI, has been at the top all season. He currently enjoys a comfortable margin of 61 points over second place challenger Rob Rinker. The Granger Chevrolet sponsored entry claimed the opener at Port Neches back in May, finished third at Bay City, MI River Roar along with top five finishes at the other series events.
Texas will be represented at the Sabine Showdown as #17 Chris Hughes, Santa Fe, TX will be competing along with # 43 Chris Santerre, Orange, TX # 4 Travis Thompson, Humble, TX, and # 77 Megan Becan of Spring, TX.
Chris Hughes driving for Coastal Back Water Marine, Salt Water Soul Apparel, and Snap-On Tools, took over the driving duties of the Johnigan Motorsports Pugh, out of Texas City, TX at the World Championships in Trenton, MI back in July. Chris has been a long time crewmember of the team and took over driving duties for Tiffany McKinley after the Port Neches race.
Orange’s Chris Santerre, sponsored by TEXASCARBUYER.COM, finished in second place back in May at the Riverfest opener in Port Neches. Chris began competing on the PTT back in 2010. He competed in three events, with a best finish of eighth at the 2010 Sabine Showdown.
Travis Thompson just completed active duty in the Marine Corps back in May and was unable to compete at Port Neches. The Marine Corp veteran and current Texas State student finished in fifth place at Bay City, MI in his only series appearance.
Megan Becan began her racing career at Port Neches this year finishing 13th in the series opener. The grand daughter of Texas boat racing legend Darrell Beaulier will come into the Showdown looking to improve upon her debut before closing out her season at Highlands, TX in October.
The Showdown on the Sabine could turn into the “Sabine Smackdown” as the series points leaders look to get a bigger piece of the series points fund with a good run in Orange. The tight course on the Sabine is a favorite among series drivers. The shorter straight-aways and tight sweeping turns keep the boats deck to deck creating exciting action on the Sabine River course.
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