American Torrente Hopes Someday To Take On The World!

LAUSANNE, Switzerland – 31st of January, 2007 – Two American drivers, one a veteran, who is a legend and 4-time World Champion in his sport, the other, a fast rising star of the future who’s dreaming of racing on the worldwide stage of the U.I.M. F1 World Championship tour, are both pushing hard to reach their goals while living 8 time zones away from one another this off season.

The Emirates Team number one driver Scott Gillman, who has proven to be something special in the sport, has produced four World Titles and three North American championships since starting inshore powerboat racing back in 1987. During his 20 year stretch he has experienced more than most of his peers and has gone thru triumph and tragedy along the way in his storied career.

The Southern Californian, who started racing when his family got involved in motocross racing back in the 1970’s, has excelled in every attempt of motor sport whether it was on or off the water. During these countless hours, weeks, months and years of doing everything possible to reach his goal of greatness, Scott has learned what it takes to be a champion. The 47 year-old is now using this knowledge as a teacher and mentor to a flock of young drivers where he makes his new home in Abu Dhabi of the United Arab Emirates located in the heart of the Middle East.

“I want to give back to a sport that has given me so many wonderful memories and made my life something special,” stated Scott. “Nothing can be finer than help and develop new talent for a new generation of drivers such as Thani [Al Qamzi] and Ahmed [Al Hamli]. These two drivers are wonderful people on and off the water and it’s a special situation that has given me a chance to help others to reach the same goals I’ve always had in being a champion in F1. The great people at the ADIMSC (Abu Dhabi International Marine Sports Club) have made this possible and I think in the most modest of terms that this program is a giant step in making the Emirates drivers future champions.”

While Scott gives back to the sport he loves by preparing newcomers to be future race winners, a third of the way around the world, another future talent in Floridian Shaun Torrente of the California Gold Racing Team is preparing for the upcoming season testing his boat in the alligator filled canals of South Florida. This fast rising star dreams someday that he too can join the UIM F1 World Championship tour. Currently signed up for the 2007 season with his friend and mentor Fred Bowden of Los Angeles, California this team is made up of the well known members of the “East-West Express” that has taken the North American “ChampBoat” series by storm in 2006 when Shaun was named top rookie driver after putting together some eye opening performances.

“I’ve always had a burning desire to race on the world stage but my current focus is to dive into the challenge of winning the North American “ChampBoat” title for 2007,” said the Miami, Florida native. “Fred and I have a very close relationship and I know he too wants to come and eventually race on the world tour. He joined Jay Price a few years ago when the series went to the Emirates and this wet his appetite for more. Fred is a past world champion in powerboat racing so he knows what it takes to win.”

Shaun moved up to full time “ChampBoat” racing last season after dominating the SST-120 (F2) series in North America for the past few seasons. His reputation was already being built when he took the ultra competitive SST-45 (F4) championship numerous times in the late 1990’s.

He’s ready. Is the world ready to give him his chance? Only time will tell. Right now he and his boss Fred along with sponsor Gary L. Barton from Southern California are focused on winning now and often in 2007. So, here we are, some of the new names in a coming new generation.

The sport of inshore powerboat racing just keeps on getting better! And with the generous help from people like World Champion Scott Gillman, these newcomers Thani Al Qamzi, Ahmad Al Hamli and Shaun Torrente are going to share many championships if and only if they can show the same dedication and willingness to give back what they have taken from this sport when their careers are finally over. And then and only then will they be remembered as true hero’s.

Wouldn’t you agree?