Vella Takes pole for F1 Superboats Round 1 Geelong

by Dave Canole on 27 Apr 2008 A chilly but blue sky start to April 27. After somewhat dismal day weather wise on the Saturday, Sunday morning broke with a brisk six degrees.

The support crews were out on course setting up the marker buoys to kick-start their day. With the sun shining through thin cloud, the water flat and the breeze barely there, it promised well for a beautiful day of racing.

At 9.50am we welcomed representatives from the Geelong RSL; Merv Ruby, Rodney and Sandra Meeke, to provide an Anzac Day acknowledgement. The crowd stood respectfully quiet for the Ode and anthems.

Then the 2008 season got under way, with practice and qualifying for the F1’s and F2000’s.

Grant Trask led the practice timesheets with a rapid 30.6, followed by Darren Simmons with 31.14.

A cigarette paper split Don McClymont and veteran Michael Page with 31.55 and 31.56, followed by Steven Gilligan and Tim Smith with 32.19 and 34.03.

Hot laps for the F1’s were interrupted by mechanical and hull issues.

Eventually just three boats completed a hot lap before an impromptu practice session for the F2000’s gave them some vital extra water time.

Qualifying times for the F1’s resulted in Shane Vella leading with 26.23, followed by the 2006 champ, Rhys Coles in 26.5. Damien McKenzie headed Jon Tsaccounis by 8 one hundredths of a second with a 27.11 then Anthony McEnally and Dean Trickie, the local, rounded out the field.

Race one for the Monohull category saw an early retirement with David Ainley having a mechanical failure. Greg Adams won the first race convincingly with Ben Anderson and Gavin Simmons completing the field.

The main game entrants, the Formula 1 Superboats ran race 1, with Craig Truslove just making the water in time after a steering component failure earlier.

A superb drive from Shane Vella midway through the race saw the lead stolen from a slowing Rhys Coles. Issues again raised their head for Todd Boaer and Anthony McEnally; Truslove had lady luck on his side with a third.

Race 1 for the F2000 pilots had Darren Simmons repeating engine problems from qualifying; Grant Trask showed complete dominance to win convincingly. Don McClymont had a clear run and shadowed Michael Page into third.

For once, the monohulls saw Greg Adams not at the pointy end; Gavin Simmons took race two with Ben Anderson running third and thankfully David Ainley’s mechanical gremlins managed to stay away for him to record a fourth place.

http://www.f1boat.com.au