Indy on the water returns to the Gold Coast

by Gary Nash on 25 Jun 2007 'Indy on the water' is back on the Gold Coast this weekend, with the ACME Australian Offshore Powerboat Series heading to the Gold Coast for another round of high speed action at Main Beach, with boats expected to thrash around the ocean course at speeds of 250km/h.

It all comes down to the series decider this weekend with the ACME Racing Team and defending Champions SIMRAD set to do battle on the Gold Coast waters for the 2007 crown, with ACME holding just a 300 point lead over the SIMRAD crew.

While ACME currently holds the lead, they were dealt a cruel blow last week at Airlie Beach when their boat burst into flames and subsequently was left with damage that left them searching for a new vessel to compete this weekend on the Gold Coast.

'We have an agreement with the Smorgon team to use their boat for the final race of the season, and with the championship on the line we are very grateful, our main objective is simply to get enough points to seal the championship victory,' explained ACME throttleman Steve Searle.

While they up against it, the ACME team have an array of spare parts and will be doing their utmost to put together a competitive package for the Gold Coast round their most important round of the year and in front of their home crowd.

'It's great that we are racing at home in the final race, we will do everything possible to make sure we finish enough of the race to secure a series victory but it is a little disappointing not to be able to do it in the boat that got us to this point,' said Searle.

The damage last weekend in Airlie Beach was caused by a fuel fitting that snapped of the regulator of the ACME boat; however Searle was positive when quizzed about the boat for next year.

'In a way it gives us a chance to start early streamline our boat for next year and have it ready to go again, it's always the small parts that cause the most damage that's just racing,' said Searle.

ACME needs to complete at least seventy percent of the Gold Coast race (7 of 12 laps) in order to be awarded enough points to claim the title, but anything can happen and the SIMRAD duo of Ross Willaton and Luke Durman will be ready to pounce if something goes wrong.

'Obviously we will be doing our utmost to win the race and put some pressure on, we need some things to fall our way but you never know,' said SIMRAD driver Luke Durman.

The Class Three - six title has been sewn up by the Blade team, with Cameron Davis and Gryff Ethol securing enough points for the year, however things may have still been up for grabs had Saracen had their boat up and running for the beginning of the year.

'It's a little bit unfortunate to have done so well so far but never know what might have been had we competed in the entire series, things look good for a close battle next year,' said Saracen's Antony Defina.

Hogs Breath Racing also takes an un-assailable lead into the final round in the Class Three four litre category giving them an amazing five championships in a row, a remarkable achievement by Team Shifty's Paul Gibbs and Paul Fowlds.

'Things have been very competitive, we haven't been anywhere near as dominant this year and it has been fantastic to see the field have some new teams enter to make racing very competitive, the other teams are very close on the points table,' said Paul Gibbs.

There is a gap of less than seventy points separating Shaken Not Stirred, Ezy Does It and Kwozzy Racing in the race for second spot in the Class Three- four litre category proving the category has flourished in a year that has seen two new teams and boats enter the field.

Acme Racing lead the inaugural Haines Suzuki One Make Class season, needing to have a DNF in the last race to forfeit their title lead, Chris Searle and Chris Jadkonis have enjoyed their year and look forward to more teams entering the fray in 2008 to grow the class.

'We have had a ball this year, it's been a good result for the category in its first season, hopefully we get some more teams competing next year,' said Chris Searle.

Practice and testing will kick off at 3:30pm next Saturday 30 June, with racing to begin at midday on Sunday 1 July.

Spectators are advised the best vantage points will be from Main beach Surf Club, The Spit and Narrowneck.

GOLD COAST 100 OFFSHORE POWERBOAT RACE
Saturday 30 June
Boats on display all day at South Port Yacht Club
3:30pm-4:30pm Practice and Testing
Sunday 1 July
Gold Coast 100 Offshore Powerboat race from 12 Noon
Vantage Points: from Main beach Surf Club, The Spit and Narrowneck