Sleepyhead wins on debut at Taupo

by Bakewell-White Media on 5 Feb 2007
Bakewell-White Yacht Design were very proud to have a 1-2 finish in the premier V8 Superboat division at the first round of the 2007 New Zealand Offshore Powerboat Championships in Taupo last week.

Completed only the day before the first event, it was a nervous team that watched defending champions Peter Turner and Craig Archer coax the new 'Sleepyhead' onto the race course for the first time. 'We took it easy for the first few laps as we were not sure how the new boat would handle, but we soon found confidence and set out after the leaders' said Turner.

Making their way up to second place with some daring passing maneuvers, 'Sleepyhead' set out after the front running 'Placemakers' and began applying steady pressure until two laps from the end of the 100 mile event an engine ‘let-go’ in the lead boat and an ecstatic Turner and team nailed a debut win in the season opener.

To cap the day, the last years championship winning boat, now racing with the Valder brothers in the colours of 'Pro Floors' came home second, giving the Bakewell-White design team a 1 and 2 finish and the perfect start to the championship.

The new 'Sleepyhead' has completely redesigned running surfaces and tunnel to improve acceleration and cornering, along with improved aerodynamics. 'There is more speed to come from this boat and we know that we will get stronger as the season progresses'