Narrowest of victories for Atlantic City crew in the P1 SuperStock USA series follows their UK championship triumph.
A fourth place finish in the final round of the season in St. Cloud at the weekend was enough for the Team Pro boat pairing of Andy Biddle and Tracy Blumenstein to clinch the P1 SuperStock USA Championship title by a single point to add to their triumph in the UK series this year. Their decision to crisscross the Atlantic this summer in an attempt to achieve an historic double has been rewarded through consistent performances and smart strategy, not to mention outstanding skill.
The USA season, which has seen racing at some of Florida’s best known resorts and lakes, ended with just three points covering the top three boats. Biddle and Blumenstein arrived in St. Cloud for the four-race finale needing to defend a slender four-point lead, with Livorsi, Pier 57 and Morton Water all breathing down their neck, and the husband-and-wife team of Craig and Cynthia Belfatto in the Livorsi boat will be disappointed that they came so close to closing the gap, finishing runner-up in their first season of SuperStock racing. “It’s been an enthralling and hugely competitive series, and Andy and Tracy have always been the boys to beat” said P1 USA championship manager Azam Rangoonwala. “To arrive at the final round with four teams still in the hunt for the title highlights what a great battle we’ve enjoyed this season, and every one of the nine teams can look back with pride and satisfaction on what they have contributed to the series.”
After a steady start to the season, Pier 57 climbed the table to finish a very close third in the championship. Morton Water’s challenge came to a dramatic end when Jason and Tom Morton flipped their P1 Panther in the second race, leaving them in seventh place in the series and with thoughts of what might have been on their long drive back to Morehead City.
The ebullient Biddle and cagey Blumentstein were welcome visitors to the UK this summer, where P1’s championship manager Robert Wicks commented: “Andy and Tracy added a huge amount to our season, both on and off the water, and they were worthy and popular winners. Their driving technique was impressive and we all admired their dedication to training and continuous improvement. Winning the double has set a new benchmark for P1.”
Another P1 racer who joined the jet set this year to compete on both sides of the Atlantic is Welshman James Norvill, who ended the season in fine style by winning the St. Cloud Grand Prix of the Sea and finishing runner-up in the UK Championship. Together with his navigator Christian Parsons-Young, Norvill has suffered with technical problems across the summer but on East Lake Toho this weekend he showed what he can do when his boat runs smoothly.
Biddle and Blumenstein will be taking another flight to England at the end of this month to be honoured at the P1 SuperStock UK Awards Dinner, and no doubt they will use their time in the air to work on plans to retain their titles in 2014.
Results from St Cloud:
P1 Marine Foundation 20 pts, Livorsi 17 pts, Pier 57 15 pts, Team Pro Boat 14 pts, AO Coolers 13 pts, Space Coast 12 pts, CL. Alpha.com 11 pts, Boat Wrench 10 pts, Morton Water 0 pts.
Overall Championship Results:
Team Pro Boat 79 pts, Livorsi 78 pts, Pier 57 76 pts, Cl Alpha.com 64 pts, P1 Marine Foundation 63 pts, AO Coolers 60 pts, Morton Water 59 pts, Space Coast 50 pts, Boat Wrench 39 pts.
