THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012 - In tune with the 1970s REO Speedwagon tune, we finally have some results from the Orange Cup Regatta's tunnel boat classes from last weekend.  I heard it from a friend, who heard it from a friend, who . . . Well you see the comparison to the song.  Actually, I heard it from Sam Winer who heard it from Mike Tilton who was there himself.

In F2, SST-120 on Saturday, Terry Rinker climbed to the top of the heap in both heat races.  The finishing order from the first heat was Rinker, followed by Brian Burkhardt in second, Brent Dillard in third, Jeff Reno in fourth and Frederick Durr in fifth.  There was seven 120 boats at the event, but Michael Floyd and Derek Hallman didn't start the first heat race.  In the second heat race it was again Rinker, followed by Reno, Dillard, Burkhardt, Durr, Floyd and again, Hallman, didn't start the second heat.

In the SST-60 field there were five boats on the water at Lakeland.  Rob Rinker in his newly painted white AMSOIL machine paced both heats.  Jeff Krischano in Brent Dillard's old F3 boat finished second, followed by Carole Reno, Steve Dinicolantonio and Mike Webster in the former Dave Hensel F3 boat.  The second heat saw Rinker, Reno, Webster, Dinic and Krischano finish 1-5.  All of the racing on Sunday was cancelled due to unsafe wind conditions.

Thanks Sam and Mike for getting the results to me.  I guess my blog post from earlier in the week hinted that I was frustrated with not being able to find out anything.  But, now we all know.

Anyway, off to APR Superleague offices for a meeting in the morning to finalize the Huntington race dates, talk about boat numbers and negotiate bringing a new sponsor into the sport.  Hope to undate you on the outcome this weekend.

Dana Tomes