David Trask takes out 2007 Championship

by Dave Conole on 1 Nov 2007 Goodbye, farewell, auf wiedersehn, adieu!

That was the sentiment at the Grand Finale 2007 Presentation dinner on October 14th, for the Australian F1 Superboats; to say goodbye to a sensational 2007.

An ever present undercurrent however, came from that one simple word: thanks -to the F1 Superboat Management team.

There is no doubt in the minds of those involved, be it on the safety crew, the administration people, the drivers, the support teams, that every round comes together with the dogged efforts of Kirk and Amanda Tsaccounis.

After all, no army platoon ventures out without a leader, no car is driven without a driver and no boat is sailed without a skipper. Award winners on the night made their feelings and appreciation clear, by saying to Kirk and Amanda, THANK YOU!

Coming into 2007, Rhys Coles wore the king's crown. Alas, 2007 would see the crown removed as a spate of bad luck struck the Byron Bay Premium Ale team. Coles though, saw out his 2007 by loading both barrels and came out firing at the Grand Finale round, held at the Sydney International Regatta Centre, just outside of Penrith, at the base of the Blue Mountains.

The round win was his, but, look out! The yellow baron was right behind him. Shane Vella's sponsors had a field day high flying each other as the Panarotti's Pizza/Pasta & Spur's Steak Ranch beast came storming home to claim second overall for the year.

This wasn't without its own moment of drama as the boat became airborne at one stage, with barely the tips of the propeller in contact with the aqua.

A chirpy Craig Truslove came out and immediately bared his bum to the crowd. The boat's bum, that is, as history repeated itself after the XLR8 Home Loans backed vessel again hit a water wall and rolled a full 360. Craig is no doubt hoping that 2008 is a 180 degree turnaround from this year, with a better result the aim.

Australia's own International contenders, Trask's David and Bob, had a sensational year, both on and off the track. Bob decided to make his lovely partner Mrs Trask and David won the hearts of race fans with some truly amazing racing all season, ending up with the 2007 championship firmly in his grasp. The Trask name association with championship wins continued into the F2000 category, with Grant turning on an amazing performance at Penrith and ultimately not only taking out the round but the 2007 title as well.

Penrith also saw a rejuvenated Peter Evans, smiling once again. Michael Page charged hard all year and would've been glad to have a few cleansing ales after a weekend's action on course. They too, expressed their gratitude for another fantastic year.

For a bloke with mono vision, Theo Spykers comes up with some amazing pictures and a big thanks for his involvement again was voiced at the dinner. With a quick, wry sense of humour, Theo shows why he's regarded as a good bloke to have around.

Belinda Doyle (GP Timers) and her assistant, Brett, deserve a big thanks for their timely influence all year; keeping track of pilots amidst the spray can not be an easy task.

As always, the Tohatsu safety team deserve a hearty round of applause; as one member said, his weekend is great when he has nothing to do.

Finally, as a commentator, I have no job without the people that make the racing possible. To the pilots, the support teams, the sponsors and to Kirk and Amanda, from myself and everybody, thank you.

Happy Christmas and a safe New Year.

See you all in 2008 it shaping up to be huge!

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