F1 Superboat Grand finale 2007 Sydney

by F1 Superboat media on 17 Oct 2007 All good things must come to an end, as the saying goes, and so it is with the 2007 XLR8 Home Loans Australian Formula 1 Superboats held at the spectacular Sydney International Regatta Centre over the weekend of October 13/14, 2007.

Saturday Practice October 13

Day one got off to a great start with beautiful blue skies and a light, although somewhat brisk, breeze. Out on the water were all of the categories to be seen over the weekend.

Supporting category, the F2000, the F3 Class and the jet skis, made their presence felt with three races, as did the 'maniacal' monohulls.

Saturday was practice day for the F1 crews as it was for the other, F2000 and F3 categories.

Craig Truslove wondered if it was 'deja vu all over again' as once again the XLR8 branded hull completed a 360 degree pirouette. It looks like the hull caught the wash as Truslove exited a turn and momentum rolled the hull. Thankfully there was no damage and Craig rejoined the party later on.

After some prop changes, Shane Vella's (Panarottis /Spurs) craft cracked the 29 second barrier late in the day, with his fellow racers left scratching their heads trying to figure out how to catch the hard charging local lad. Rhys Coles (Byron Bay Premium Ale) entry made his return after a disappointing Gold Coast round and laid down some solid practice laps.

Race day was Sunday October 14 with all eyes on the yellow Vella machine in the F1 group.

A sensational day for racing and the racing held up its end of the bargain. The blue skies over the Sydney International Regatta Centre saw the qualifying session in the F1 category under way with Shane Vella (Panarottis / Spurs) entry getting airborne on his qualifying lap.

As a result valuable time was lost and Vella placed second.

Rhys Coles in the Byron Bay Premium Ale craft took pole for race 1, with Jon Tsaccounis (Netcorp National Computer Service) entry returning after a break and taking third. Anthony McEnnally (Watersports Marine) entry, Craig Truslove (XLR8 Home Loans) and Damien McKenzie(McKenzie Constructions) rounded out the F1 with Grant Trask (Seaquest Marine) leading the F2000 with a 33.29.

Adam Fairbairn (Armor Aust) came in second in F2000 with Dean Trickey (Watersports Marine 2), Michael Page (Miedeke Motor Group) and Peter Evans (Dickies Towing) rounding out the rest of the field.

Race 1

A great start and a great finish for Rhys Coles; after the race he said the conditions were 'very bouncy' at the turns. Vella fought hard to catch the 2006 champion, however was unable to find the vital tenths to make the pass. Jon Tsaccounis made a great effort and came home in third, a sensational result in his first race after spending close to a year off the water.

Craig Truslove (XLR8 Home loans) forced to use his back up engine and was unable to get the performance he would have liked. The F2000 category saw Damien McKenzie in the McKenzie Constructions craft lead the field, although technically classified in the F1 class, due to his engine configuration.

This gave Grant Trask in the F2000's space over Adam Fairbairn with Page and Evans finishing ahead of Dean Trickey who had to retire due to mechanical issues.

Race 2

Was a mirror of race one for Coles. He got away to a flying start and was never headed. Unfortunately for Vella, mechanical issues forced him to circulate on the outside, with Jon Tsaccounis claiming second and Anthony McEnnally smiled his way into third.

What a way to see out 2007 could have been in the mind of Shane Vella. With engineering issues being resolved, Vella came out firing in the final F1 Superboat race.

Race 3
Rhys Coles was dominant to take three from three but the resurgent Vella took advantage after a battle for some what 12 laps of a momentarily swamped Jon Tsaccounis to snatch a well deserved second place.

An exhausted but smiling Vella exited his boat to the exhilarated cheering of his family and support crew. Tsaccounis was rueful but philosophical about his third place. Not a bad effort though from someone that has made a return after close to a year out of the sport.

The common feeling expressed at the end of a successful days racing was broken down into two parts: 'let's go have a beer' and 'I'm stuffed!'

Final 2007 F1 Superboat Series positions, David Trask (Trask Development Corporation) earned the F1 Superboat Champion title, Shane Vella (Panarottis Pizza & Pasta / Spurs Steak Ranches) 2nd place and Rhys Coles the 2006 Champion (Byron Bay Premium Ale) taking out third place.

Series Director Kirk Tsaccounis commented, ' It has taking over four years to achieve an establish a round of the Series at this world class venue and I believe that this will play a significant role in assisting with the future growth of the Series and the sport of F1 Superboat Racing. This years Series has certainly had its ups and downs with bad weather, Newcastle floods etc but never the less we have seen some most spectacular racing through out the season and even at the last round at Penrith even though the season champion already decided with 2007 Champion David Trask clinching the championship at the previous round at Gold Coast.'

A big thanks to all involved for a great 2007 season and a special thanks to Series Naming Sponsors XLR8 Homeloans, Series Supports sponsors, Tohatsu Outboards, Anglomoil Superior Lubricants, SeaQuest Marine, Jetworx Marine, NBN Television and Mercury Marine Racing.