Formula 2 Superleague powerboats | Tampa's Rinker brothers finish 1-2 in Bradenton Cup

BRADENTON -- The Rob and Ashton Rinker have raced powerboats since 2008.

A competitive sibling rivalry between the two Tampa-area brothers isn't unusual.

"We get out there, we get a little crazy," Ashton Rinker said. "We get a little wild, but at the end of the day, we always want the boat upright and neither of us wet."

On Saturday, the pair occupied the top two places in the inaugural Bradenton Cup race for Formula 2 Superleague Powerboats at the 2015 Bradenton Area Riverwalk Regatta.

Rob snagged the victory and bragging rights at the one-day event, while Ashton finished runner-up.

But despite falling to his brother, Ashton said the goal is for them to always finish 1-2 in every event.

"We just want to make sure Amsoil is happy and on top," said Rob Rinker of their team sponsor.

Both Ashton and Rob said they utilize their private lake to test the boats over and over ... and over again in preparation for an event.

That was no different competing on the course on the Manatee River that featured a crowded Green Bridge and fans lining the Riverwalk path.

"It's like any type of racing, NASCAR, IndyCar," Ashton Rinker said. "You've got to prepare your boat exactly for the situation you are getting yourself into you."

A key to the Rinkers' successful performance was the proximity of the race to their homes in the Tampa area. Having a short drive compared to the usual 12- to 16-hour hauls to an event enabled the Rinkers to remain fresher and focused at completing the task of finishing first and second at the inaugural Bradenton Regatta.

It didn't look like it was going to be podium finish at the start of Saturday.

"We had a little bit of trouble in the first heat," Rob said. "The motor was kind of being finicky. It turned out it was just a fuel leak. We fixed that, and after that it was strolling. The boat felt good, the course felt good. There were no real bad areas on the course (Saturday). We were able to navigate pretty easily."

The race served as the season opener for powerboat racers, and it was a good start for the brothers as they bested Jeff "The Jet" Reno, who was born in Bradenton and is the reigning series champion.

"He's a veteran. He knows what he's doing," said Rob of Reno.

Rob said you need at least a second on the person in front of you to be able to pass him.

But on Saturday, Rob Rinker ran roughshod over the field and did so in front of the several thousand supporters who flocked to the Green Bridge and Bradenton Riverwalk.

"To have this many fans is amazing," Rob Rinker said.

And sharing the podium with his brother, Ashton, was just icing on the cake.

This story was originally published February 7, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Formula 2 Superleague powerboats | Tampa's Rinker brothers finish 1-2 in Bradenton Cup."