Penrith to be hit by a Formula 1 Superboat Deluge

by Event media on 14 Sep 2007 What does a sporting fan to do when the footy is over and the V8’s are almost done?

Why, they head to Penrith for the Grand Finale of the XLR8 Home Loans Australian Formula 1 Superboats!

After a spectacular penultimate round at the Gold Coast where not one but two F1 boats got airborne and a new king was crowned, the beautiful setting of Sydney’s International Regatta Centre will see the Australian arm of the international F1 Superboats wrap up 2007 over the weekend of 13 and 14 October in the style befitting 240 kilometre per hour water borne missiles.

2006 champion, Rhys Coles, will return with a fully repaired vessel after a collision in the first race in Queensland put paid to his championship aspirations for 2007. The side on impact barrel-rolled the Byron Bay Premium Ale sponsored hull, with a fire on shore further damaging the 340 horsepower Mercury Marine engine. Thankfully, the $50,000 engine was salvageable with the dynamic young Coles eager to race at the Regatta Centre and put a disappointing Gold Coast weekend behind him.

XLR8 Home Loans are the principle sponsor for the series and they also back Gold Coast identity and nightclub owner, Craig Truslove. Truslove’s red and white machine was lucky to escape relatively unscathed after a swell caught the boat side on coming out of a turn. Sheer momentum rolled the hull a full 360 degrees with only minor damage to the top of the hull. Truslove himself shrugged off the crash, with a wry 'I got wet!'

There’s local flavour also with the Panarotti’s Pizza & Pasta and Spur Steak Ranch nosheries combining to sponsor Shane Vella. His bright yellow Formula 1 Superboat, capable of pulling up to 5G in jet fighter like turns looks and sounds spectacular with a rooster tail of water reaching close to 10 metres in height at racing speed.

Rumour has some new Teams will also be competing at the new venue, preparing for the new 2008 season ahead.

Purpose built for the massively successful Sydney Olympics, the Sydney International Regatta Centre is located at the base of the beautiful Blue Mountains, just a few kilometres north of the Penrith CBD.

Situated between two massive man made lakes, the Regatta Centre proper is a new venue for the teams, moving from their traditional locale of the picturesque Nepean River. With both aesthetics and the environment in mind, the Sydney International Regatta Centre offers plenty of family friendly view space and a 1000 seat grandstand is sure to be the place to be to cheer on the F1 boats and their racing compadres in the Formula 2000, F3 classes. With plenty of action also provided by the new Jet Ski Support category.

Not to be outdone in the action stakes, the Mono category takes the traditional speedboat look to new heights and with the boats seemingly on the verge of self destruction as they dance on the knife edge of stability, even these 'mere' 180 km/h capable weapons promise thrills and spills aplenty.

Practice, qualifying and racing on the Saturday with pocket friendly entry on the Sunday allowing those on even the tightest budget to sample some of the other attractions, including displays, helicopter rides and amusements, a great day out for the family at the Centre plus enjoy some of the best racing you can see, no matter whether on land or on water.

For further details and to see some of the action over the year, visit the website, www.f1boat.com.au