Ingall takes the plunge for Powerboat racing

by Gary Nash on 3 Feb 2007 Champion V8 Supercar driver Russell Ingall has taken the plunge with a group of Australian Offshore Powerboat Racers on the Gold Coast this week, performing a 'dunk test' at the Miami pool under the guidance of CareFlight Safety Services.

The under water escape training was a first for Ingall, and will allow Ingall to join Australian Offshore Powerboat legend Bill Barry-Cotter in a Class-1 Offshore Powerboat next month on the Gold Coast.

Topping speeds of more than 250km/h, Class-1 Offshore Powerboats are an awesome spectacle, and it will be a totally different experience for Ingall when he rides in Barry-Cotter’s Maritimo, powered by twin Lamborghini supercharged engines with an impressive 920 horse power per engine.

'I own one of Bill’s 48 Maritimo’s which myself and the family absolutely love, but I think the race boat is going to be a little different to what we usually experience boating around the Broadwater,' said Ingall.

While Ingall is used to the high speed of his Caltex Falcon, tackling the unpredictable conditions of the ocean combined with speeds of 250km/h will assure he has the ride of his life out on the water with Maritimo.

In return, Barry Cotter will saddle up with Ingall at Queensland raceway for a high speed ride in Ingall’s V8 Supercar, the Ford Caltex Falcon.

Barry-Cotter is a legend of Offshore Racing in Australia, and highly regarded internationally for his racing skills having recorded no less than ten podium finishes in his career as a UIM Class-1 World Championship racer.

'It is always fantastic to have people go for a ride in the Class-1 Maritimo, especially someone the calibre of Russell, who has created a career out of motorsport,' said Barry-Cotter.

'I am sure he is in for one hell of a ride, as I am sure I will be when he returns the favour in the. I don’t think I will be stirring him up too much, because he will get to fire the last shot when we head to Queensland Raceway.'

The Australian Offshore Powerboat Series is set to make waves at the opening round of 2007 in Geelong, Victoria on 17 and 18 February.

The series will then make its way to Williamstown before setting off up the Eastern coast of Australia to Newcastle, Sydney, Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast.


2007 AUSTRALIAN OFFSHORE POWERBOAT SERIES CALENDAR:

Round One Geelong 17-18 February

Round Two Williamstown 24-25 February

Round Three Newcastle 21-22 April

Round Four Sydney - Cooks River 28-29 April

Round Five Sunshine Coast 30 June - 1 July

Round Six Gold Coast 7-8 July


Visit these websites:
www.aopc.com.au
www.mediacomservices.com.au