Offshore Super Championships kick off in Newcastle

by Lauren Brittain on 10 Feb 2014 The 2014 Offshore Super Championships is set to make its return to six spectacular venues along the magnificent eastern Australian coastline this year, kicking off in Newcastle on the 26th and 27th of April.

Round one of the OSC has traditionally been host to Fuelarama, and will again be highlighted with muscle cars and street displays as Fuelarama celebrates its fourth anniversary with the Superboats in Newcastle. Something Sydney local, and DODGE SUV Ram OSC team owner, Conn Saloumidis, initiated and is more than pleased to see growing each year, with a crowd of over 40,000 expected to make it to Newcastle for the first weekend of the Series.

Following Newcastle, the series heads north with the following venues confirmed.

2) Bowen, Queensland, June 21st and 22nd

3) Townsville, Queensland, June 28th and 29th

4) Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, August 30th and 31st

5) Redcliffe, Queensland, September 13th and 14th

6) Hervey Bay, Queensland, November 29th and 30th

Offshore Superboat President, Graham Fraser, had nothing but praise for the anticipated calendar this year.

'A big year ahead would be a understatement, that’s for sure,' said Graham.

'Not only are there more boats racing, but the number of spectators that attend each round has also increased considerably and we are looking forward to a year full of great competition and exciting racing.'

One of the changes this year will be the inclusion of Bowen for Round 2.

Local Bowen resident, Mick Boyce, has a passion for motorsport and was quick to cement negotiations in the off-season with the Offshore Council. A new venue and new course is something the competitors will no doubt relish.

Also making a return to the Offshore Superboat Championships for this year’s season is Maritimo Offshore boss, Bill Barry Cotter, who will be campaigning two boats in the rejuvenated 'Class 1' category. The Class 1 category however, has been amended to 'Supercat Extreme' which is in line with the other Supercat categories. Team Navy will step up from Supercat 1000 to also compete in Supercat Extreme - making for some exciting competition.

2014 will see possibly the biggest field for Supercat 600 with seven boats contending. Newcomer, Brenton Price, has just received his imported Doug Wright boat with super performing Merc 280 HP outboards powering it along, which is certainly set to get the attention of others. Long time Offshore member, Simon Isherwood, from Race Marine Victoria is expected to throttle the new boat.

Supercat 1000 and Supercat 400 will also campaign a solid year which will be quite a spectacle once the flag drops at Round one.

Broadcasting the series again this year will be 'Speedweek' on SBS with, Dave Bishop, who is renowned for making the commentary as exciting as the racing!

Series partner HI TECH Oils has also reconfirmed its commitment to the Series, with BRIG Inflatables providing the support and safety boats at each round.

The Offshore Superboat Championships also welcomes, Lauren Brittain, onboard as the Media and PR Coordinator for the 2014 Series.