One of the most colourful characters competing in the UIM F2 World Championship is Austria’s one and only, Rupp Temper.

Sadly, Temper announced yesterday that he would not be taking part in this weekend’s Grand Prix of Portugal or the season finale which will be held in Abu Dhabi.

He posted on social media:

We are disappointed to tell you that RT Racing will not join the 4th round of the F2 World Championship in Portugal this week.

Temper has had a tough time, on and off the water. Last March we reported that Michael Werner had lost his entire workshop and equipment in a fire.

Temper a long time customer of Werner suffered a huge loss, 2 UIM F2 hulls, racing equipment, engines, gearboxes, props, spare parts and tools were all incinerated in the blaze which was not covered under Werner’s insurance policy.

We had to swallow that setback, with our current boat and a brand new one which was not even painted being destroyed.

In spite of everything we never gave up, we got up and started from the beginning.

Learning to race a brand new boat with completely different handling was not even the hardest part.

Temper continued to explain that the team have been struggling with engine problems over the last few seasons that they can’t seem to resolve.

Temper Racing in Tonsberg, Norway in August Photo: Chris Davies

He concluded:

Now we are planing for next season and looking forward to changes and new ways.

Temper’s larger than life personality, his understated choice in fashion and his hard charging race style will surely be welcomed back in 2020.