Ricky Howard claims sixth Hawkesbury River classic
by Bob Wonders on 6 May 2008
Hyperactive at Sackville - 2008 Bridge to Bridge Glenroy Photography .
Hydroplane racer Ricky Howard has again led a strong field home to win his sixth Upper Hawkesbury Power Boat Club Bridge to Bridge classic along the famous river.
Howard’s boat, a 22-footer carrying the name ‘Hyperactive’ took the lead at Bar Point and led the 90-strong field home to the Windsor Stadium in a new record time of 29 minutes, 47 seconds.
It marked the first time 30 minutes has been broken.
Steve Maybury (Holy Grail) came in second with Simon McMahon third in his twin-turbo Bannister rig.
Ricky was a happy man following the event. “I took a chance when I felt a propeller crack, but at the time we were close enough to the finish to take the risk, “he explained.
“It happened once before, quite early in a race, and I shut the engine down to avoid further problems.
“This time, maintaining the speed was a gamble, but it paid off,” he added.
Somewhat surprisingly, Howard described vessel wash at the race start as among the worst he had ever encountered.
“And there was not a recreational boat in sight, it was coastal patrol and waterways boats moving around that caused the wash,” he declared.
Fortunately, Ricky found ‘good water’ fairly early into the 112 kilometre race and ‘Hyperactive’ delivered the performance required for victory.
Ricky, 34, won his first Bridge to Bridge in 1991; he became the youngest winner in race history at 17 and remains so to this day.
His father Graham Howard built ‘Hyperactive’ and also had a hand in building the second-placed boat, ‘Holy Grail.’
‘Hyperactive’, which recorded a top speed of 143mph (230km/hr), is powered by a carburettor 510 cubic inch big block prepared by Gold Coast engine builder Norm McMillan.
“Without the involvement from Dad and Norm, I could not possibly have achieved such a successful race,” Ricky added.
“I also had valuable assistance from Royal Gold Oils and Enzed hoses, for without support like this the while exercise becomes so much more difficult.”
Ricky, incidentally, is the president of the NSW Hydroplane Club. “Who knows,” he joked, “the win might get me re-elected again.”
If you want to link to this article then please use this URL: www.sail-world.com/44266