ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates – Tuesday, July 27, 2010 – The UIM F1 H2O World Championship for powerboating has it's second “Lap of Honor” recipients for 2010. Fred Hauenstein, a tireless ambassador and true builder of the sport for almost 50 years, along with four time World Champion Scott Gillman, winner of 23 races in just 89 starts, have been elected into the UIM F1 H2O Hall Of Fame for 2010 after a three month long voting process involving race fans and journalists throughout the world taking part in the decision making.
Fred, who has worked in all levels of powerboat racing as an innovative engineer, respected UIM and APBA officer who specializes in engine development and safety improvements in the sport, is still enjoying racing, this being, his 51st season in 2010. Fred, first drove and then helped build OMC factory engines in the early 1970's before switching to Mercury Marine and helping develop the famous T-3 and T-4 power plants. Later, he worked on development of engines for both offshore and unlimited hydroplane racing classes.
Recently, the man who makes his home in the state of Wisconsin in the USA, has been at the forefront in the conversion to low emission outboard racing engines that has dominated at the 24 Hours of Rouen with the F2 and F4 (S) classes. Fred's political career includes four years as APBA President; President of the UIM Sports Commission and continual membership in both the APBA and UIM Safety Committees.
“It's a great thrill for me to be voted in by both the members of the boating media together with the race fans around the world,” said Fred. “I look forward to accepting the award and seeing once again all my friends who make up the UIM F1 H2O World Championship including its fine promoter and my friend Nicolo di San Germano.”
For the other American Scott Gillman, his rise came quickly after stepping onto the scene his rookie season in 1997. He was no stranger to winning after winning three North American tour titles in 1990, 1995 & 1996. He won his first title with the same SEEBOLD boat hull he had used the two previous years in North America. He also came close to winning a pair of other titles in his ten plus years on the UIM F1 H2O tour.
Scott's most remarkable record, is one that maybe never duplicated, finishing on the podium in 55 of the 59 events he finished for a 92% ratio. Not even 10-time World Champion Guido Cappellini's marks come close to this remarkable statistic while both were bitter rivals in their ten years battling for championship titles.
“It's wonderful that I've been acknowledged by the race fans and media for everything I have done while racing on the UIM F1 World Championship tour for Nicolo,” said Scott. “My working with the great people at Abu Dhabi International Marine Sports Club just shows the dedication everyone has for the sport for the past decade and the difficulty it is to get it all just right and win titles. It's never easy and it takes great dedication and I feel the people I am now working with are in that mindset to get it done again since the last time I achieved it for the club back in 2006.”
Fred Hauenstein had the largest percentage of votes with 46.8% while Scott Gillman wasn't far behind with 32.2%. They will now join last years winner's Bill Seebold and Renato Molinari into this very exclusive club while three new names along with the late Cees van der Velden will be added for next years 2011 class.
Both Fred Hauenstein and Scott Gillman will be honored at the season ending ceremonies in the United Arab Emirates in early December during the Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi on the third and fourth of December and the Grand Prix of Sharjah on the ninth and 10th of December.
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