Boost for Offshore Powerboat Racing in Australasia

by Bob Wonders on 31 Jul 2007 The thundering and exciting sport of offshore powerboat racing is about to receive a genuine boost across Australia and New Zealand with the formation of the Offshore Superboat Championships, aimed at attracting more competitors and increasing spectator involvement.

Under its newly constituted rules, the Offshore Superboat Championship has dispensed with many of the previous classes conducted and simplified the range of boats eligible for competition.

Championship chairman Paul Gibbs said a primary aim of the series was to reduce the high costs associated with securing, maintaining and campaigning a boat. 'Under the rules of the Offshore Superboat Championships, a competitor can be introduced to the sport in the Haines Suzuki Class, which carries an initial cost of only $49, 000,' he explained. 'This is a one-design boat, with standard propeller and fixed engine height limited to 150 horsepower.

'We will also stage a Production Class, meaning anyone with a quick boat such as a water ski boat can enter and try their hand at offshore racing.'

The Offshore Superboat Championships have already been sanctioned by the Australian Power Boat Association (APBA) and will commence this year with two scheduled events.

Both will be approximately 160 kilometres races and will be staged off Redcliffe (September 9) and Townsville (September 23).

The classes already selected and named will be;

Class 1, dual 930hp
SuperCat, dual 700hp
SuperCat Lite, dual 525hp
Supercat Outboard, dual 300hp
SuperCat Outboard Lite, dual 200hp
Haines Suzuki Class, 150hp

All boats entered will be scrutineered and will have minimum weight, length and cubic capacities verified.

'I think naming the horsepower in the individual classes will appeal more to the average spectator,' Gibbs explained.

'Formerly it was Class 1, Class 2 and then a system confusing to the average punter with Class 3 6.0-Litre,Class 3 4.0-Litre and Class 3 2.0-Litre.

'I’m sure people will identify more with horsepower than a mix of litre classifications,' Gibbs added.

The Offshore Superboat Championships will be seeking a range of possible venues and plan to run at least six events in Australia and possibly at least two more in New Zealand.

Organisers are already involved in discussions with several local authorities along the east coast.

They’re looking for regional centres with appropriate boat launching facilities, suitable accommodation, spectator vantage points and ample trailer and boat storage areas.

The two races planned for September both give ample viewing for spectators; the Redcliffe race will be directly off the residential areas within Moreton Bay; at Townsville the race will be easily seen from The Esplanade and other points along the waterfront.

'Offshore racing is an incredibly exciting sport,' Gibbs said.

'When crews hit the starters and thousands of horsepower vent their voices, it’s a sight to see and hear.

'We’re confident the Offshore Superboat Championships will deliver a new army of fans to the sport,' he added.