Triple Duty: Tomlinson Adds Throttleman For Super Stock CMR Team To Sarasota Race Responsibilities
Although it happens from time to time, it’s not very common that an offshore racer competes in three different classes at the same event. So when a veteran such as John Tomlinson signs up to do just that, it’s a pretty newsworthy.
Sean Conner (left) and John Tomlinson are looking forward to racing together in the CMR Super Stock-class MTI this Saturday at the Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix. Photo courtesy Sean Conner
Of course race fans already know the multi-time world champion throttleman is going to be competing this weekend alongside the one-and-only Travis Pastrana in the Pothole Heroes/Alegra Motorsports Victory-built catamaran when the Class 1 fleet lines up for the start of the Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix, the second of five races in the 2023 Union Internationale Motonautique Class 1 World Championship Series produced by Powerboat P1. Those same race fans likely also know Tomlinson will be handling the throttles in the TS Motorsports MTI with driver Taylor Scism in the 450R Factory Stock class, but it may come as a surprise that Tomlinson also is going to be competing in the Super Stock-class race on Saturday.
Well maybe it’s not that surprising that Tomlinson is joining owner/driver Sean Conner in the team’s 32-foot MTI, stepping in for CMR throttleman Shaun Torrente, who is racing overseas for Team Abu Dhabi at the UIM F1H2O World Championship Grand Prix of France this weekend. That’s because Tomlinson also was scheduled to be the degending F1H2O world champion’s replacement at the season-opening race in Marathon, Fla., at the end of April, before that race–and the Super Cat competition—was cancelled due to high winds and rough conditions.
“Although we didn’t get to race together in Marathon, we were fortunate to do seven laps during testing, plus the testing we did at TNT prior to the race, so we feel pretty good together in the boat,” said Conner, who arrived in Sarasota this morning after taking a red-eye flight from his home on the West Coast. “Hopefully we get a few more laps of testing in before this weekend’s race. I know Johnny is going to be busy with 450R and Class 1 testing, plus Class 1 qualifying on Saturday, but the boat is the best it’s ever been setup wise. I know Shaun and his guys put in a lot of work since our last race in Lake of the Ozarks.
“Fortunately every race we’ve done has been on a different type of water so the seat time from each race has been invaluable,” he continued. “I’m looking forward to getting back in the boat and competing on different water again. I think we’ve got a very competitive boat and Johnny and I are going to get out there and prove it. I know that’s what Shaun expects us to do.”
Conner, who specializes in the acquisition and representation of high-end yachts nationwide and owns Salt Weapon, a biodegradable salt removal formula, added that he’s excited to put on a good show for the fans as well as the team’s sponsors, which includes CMR Construction and Roofing, Raymarine, Dewald Propellers and more.
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