XLR8 F1 Season Opener Warms Up Chilly Geelong

by Kirk Tsaccounis on 29 Apr 2008 There's nothing like red hot racing to warm up a cold day as Geelong was hit with ice cold wind then heat from the XLR8 Home loans Australian F1 Superboat Series in the second part of the day.

Thankfully, the somewhat scary forecast of rain and hail failed to materialize with even the wind dropping to barely a zephyr.

In front of a sizeable and welcoming crowd of in access of 10,000 people, eager to see racing in Geelong for the first time under the F1 Superboat Series auspices, race 1 for the F1 Superboats consisted of a strong field including Shane Vella (Shane Vella Racing) that showed the pace setting pole position in qualifying with a time of 26.23 followed by Rhys Coles (Byron Bay Premium Ale) 26.50, Damien McKenzie (McKenzie Construction) qualified in third spot 27.19 closely followed by Jon Tsaccounis (XLR8 Home Loans #12) 27.19, Anthony McEnnally (Watersports Marine) in 5th spot, Dean Trickey (Watersports Marine) 30.26, Craig Truslove (XLR8 Home Loans #11) failing to qualify due to power steering issues but showed good speed. Failing also to qualify was Gavin Bricker (Bricker Racing) that seem to have his boat dialed in but was forced to retire after hitting an object in the water and damaging his front sponson.

Problems also for Todd Boer (Jet Worx Marine) that was experiencing a mechanical vibration and did not qualify. When the flag dropped it was Shane Vella and Rhys Coles that had the jump and would dice it out for several laps with Shane Vella ended up victorious, Rhys Coles in 2nd spot, Damien Mckenzie holding 3rd place and a consistent drive, Craig Truslove put on a charge from the back of the field only to run out of fitness still suffering with steering issues and finished in 4th Anthony McEnnally 5th , Place Dean Tricky consistent in 6th Jon Tsaccounis 7th and Todd Boer in 8th.

Race 2 in the F1's went to a dominant Rhys Coles. Determined to get his year off to a flying start, he kept at bay a dogged Shane Vella, who at one stage looked as if he was about to round up the former champ.
The 'yella Vella fella', due to the bright yellow hull, appeared to close up on the final turns, with the Byron Bay Premium Ale entry scooting away on the straights from Damien McKenzie chased by Truslove. McEnnally's and Todd Boaer followed, with McEnnally just managed to hold on to 5th spot from Boaer that was having a go moving up several positions, Dean Tricky consistent in his second race meeting and Jon Tsaccounis's day didn't improve, with the young gun Tsaccounis retiring after 4 laps with apparent mechanical issues resurfacing.

Round one of the 2008 season went to the 2006 champion, Rhys Coles, after the former champ drove his heart out to win race 3 convincingly and the weekend. Shane Vella did all he could but second place was his. McKenzie showed a good turn of speed to come home in third and a hard fought fourth place went to Craig Truslove .Todd Boaer's run of so-so luck ran out with a retirement early in the race when he stuffed his boat in the bottom turn but managed to idle back in ; history repeated with McKenzie and Truslove duking it out for third and fourth. McEnnally, Tsaccounis and Tricky finished the field.

Plenty of action included the F2000 class, Monos and Jet skis putting on a show for all.

Round One of the XLR8 Home Loans F1 Superboat Grand Prix Geelong was well received by all with great attendance of spectators even though the weather was somewhat ordinary. The VIP Club Superboat Marquee the place to keep out of the chill. To our sponsors the City of Greater Geelong, event support sponsors, and new series sponsors with thank you for being a part of history.

Series Director Kirk Tsaccounis commented. ' Its great to finally kick the 2008 season off and bring the Series to a new venue. We have been wanting to stage a round in the Victorian state for some time, Geelong has welcomed us with open arms and I believe with continued support this venue has great potential. On the competition front its obvious that some teams have been working hard in the off season expanding their teams and we are now seeing more two boat teams appearing and also new competitors entering all categories'.

Round 2 is at Toukley May 25, 2008
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