Tech Gremlins frustrate Trask in F1H20 2017 UIM China GP

by Bob Carter on 15 Aug 2017 After crashing out of the French GP last month while running in fifth place, Grant Trask approached the Grand Prix of Harbin - China round of the F1H20 2017 UIM World Championship with justified confidence.

Grant Trask is the only Australian and the only disabled pilot contesting the 2017 World Championship.

Despite the usual extensive preparation involved with an F1 race boat which has been under water, the Grant Trask Racing tech crew struggled all weekend chasing a pesky engine gremlin. While the Mercury 2.5 liter race engine ran faultlessly on the load wheel, in practice and qualifying the engine would not spin over 8,000 rpm.

Consequently, Grant Trask had zero seat time in any of the practice sessions. When it came to the all-important qualifying session, Grant Trask was relegated to the back of the field and pole position 18 on the start dock for the Grand Prix of Harbin - China GP.

Throughout the three-day GP period, the team technicians had been constantly analysing, testing and replacing equipment. The problem initially showed up as a fuel starvation issue. The fuel tank was pulled apart and the entire fuel system checked and cleaned. Then a tiny crack in the block was thought to have been the cause of the performance problem.

Fortunately, just one hour before the start flag was set to drop, a fault was discovered in a small wiring loom. This meant that the “Thunder From Down Under” as the media affectionately refer to the talented Grant Trask, was locked and loaded, ready to race.

Starting from pole position number 18 in a 19-boat field, Grant Trask was under no illusions about his prospects. This was to be a GP where the prime objectives were to finish and gain valuable seat time competing against the very best F1 pilots in the world.

On both counts, Grant Trask achieved success. Over the fast but short 1920m course, Grant Trask finished in a very creditable 12th position, just missing out on scoring points in the Drivers’ Championship.

The Grand Prix of Harbin - China round of the F1H20 2017 UIM World Championship was won by Erik Stark of Sweden. His fastest lap time recorded in the GP was 42.97 seconds while Grant Trask recorded an impressive 44.39, less than 1.5 seconds off the pace-setter.

“We are a new team learning with every lap of every round,” Grant Trask said.

“In this sport, experience counts and we thrive on the challenges that are placed in front of us at each venue. This is what makes us a better team and it is what we need to work through to achieve our ultimate objective in Formula 1.”

The fourth round of the F1H20 UIM World Championship is the Grand Prix of Liuzhou – China will be held in on September 29/October 1 2017.

Grant Trask Racing is an all Australian race team, proudly competing for the F1H20 UIM World Championship.

For more information visit www.granttraskracing.com.au.