‘A whirlwind of emotions’: AquaX racer competes, wins, in the wake of tragedy

Erminio Iantosca was leading the field of AquaX jet ski racers heading into the season’s final event in St. Petersburg; however, just making it to the race was in doubt after tragedy struck his family early in the morning on Sept. 3.

Iantosca planned to leave his house in Naples at 8 a.m. for the 2021 P1 St. Pete Powerboat Grand Prix. A season championship was on the line, and it would be decided in a place Iantosca told the Catalyst he “loves” – whether racing or just to visit. Then, at 3:30 a.m., he was awakened by a phone call letting him know that his mother had unexpectedly passed away. Josephine Iantosca was 66 years old.

Iantosca, 40, says his is a “racing family.” He said that he “grew up at the races” and his family’s bond grew stronger after spending so many weekends together. He said his father was his race mechanic and his biggest supporter. Erminio Sr. passed away three years ago.

Should he hitch up his trailer and make the drive north to St. Pete?

Ermino Iantosca with his father Erminio Sr. (left), and mother Josephine Iantosca (right).

“I just really had to dig deep,” said Iantosca. “I wanted to do it for my family. Stay strong, do it for my brother and sister.”

Not only did Iantosca find the will to compete, but he would also take the championship.

“There was more than just a P1 race going on this weekend,” said Iantosca. “I’m glad that everything worked out the way it did, and I could pull off the overall in the championship. It really meant a lot.”

Iantosca has won championships in other closed-course leagues, but never in P1. He had a seven-point lead going into the final weekend but said he did not have as good of a start as he wanted the first day – the same day he received the news of his mother’s passing. However, he still “managed to get through the pack” and placed fourth. Chris Macclugage finished first, giving him a three-point overall advantage over Iantosca heading into Saturday.

On Saturday, Iantosca and his Yamaha FX SVHO would finish second to Macclugage’s third, allowing Iantosca to make up the three-point gap. The two would end up tied as they prepared to face-off in Sunday morning’s finale. All Iantosca had to do was finish ahead of Macclugage in the final race to win the championship. Iantosca would take second to Macclugage’s third once again, giving Iantosca the season points lead.

Iantosca said his mother would have been happy and proud. “She would have been so ecstatic that I won and was able to accomplish what I wanted to do this year.” 

Iantosca said his brother Joseph and sister Kristina also made the trip, and were able to bask in the bittersweet moment alongside him.

“Everyone was in tears and super-excited and just said that I made my mom proud,” said Iantosca. “So, a whirlwind of emotions.”

Iantosca, who races for Dean’s Team, looks forward to returning to St. Petersburg. He said he raced around the old pier years ago and that “it’s amazing to see the change and how they made it for the better.”

“It’s just a really fun town,” said Iantosca. “I hope we can continue to race there for years and years to come.”