Offshore action across the Tasman

by Greg Brinck on 8 Feb 2009
It has been labelled ‘Thunder on the Gulf’ as New Zealand’s offshore racers prepare for the second round of the 2009 Rayglass NZ Offshore Powerboat championships set down for next Saturday (February 14)..

Race organisers have mapped out an open sea course off the Gulf Harbour Marina, north of Auckland.

Cary Gleeson, vice-president of the NZ Offshore Powerboat Association (NZOPA) has described the course as 'traditionally pretty challenging.'

Gleeson, driver of ‘Doosan’, is the current series leader in the Superboat Lite class.

'Some parts of the course can be very rough, with other legs fairly flat depending on tide and prevailing conditions; the race will always be interesting as some boats will be set up for the rough and that can often produce an upset victory,' he added.

Although the 2009 championship has fielded fewer boats than last year, NZOPA president Wayne Valder says the series has not lost any of its glamour or intensity of competition.

'We have some fantastic new talent contesting the series,' he declared.

'Last year’s newcomer, Tony Coleman, aboard the big Skater ‘Cure Kids’, has already shown he’s fully competitive in the Superboat class after a brilliant run in round one at Taupo.

'The Aucklander has seasoned campaigner Chris Hanley alongside as throttleman

'I can see a real challenge upfront in the Superboat class with ‘Cure Kids’ and the brand new 34’ Skater ‘Fairview Windows and Doors’ with brothers Warren and Scott Lewis.

'Their boat is the latest from the Douglas Skater plant and notched an opening round win at Taupo, but only after a 100-mile tussle with ‘Cure Kids.’

'There’s certainly no loss of intensity in the racing, 'Valder added.

In the Superboat Lite class, defending titleholder Kelly Smith with father Grant on throttles, could only bring ‘Rayglass Boats’ home in second place at Taupo.

She realises she faces a serious challenge from ‘Doosan’, with Gleeson and Sam Fillmore running the boat with two of the new Mercury 300XS engines.

The 60-miler at Taupo was won by the Super 60 ‘Mark Diggleman Car Sales’, with Mark himself and Grant Rowe aboard.

They were second through most of the race until the early leader, ‘Konica Minolta’ sustained a steering failure and lost its pace.

As Diggleman has not entered for the entire championship, the points go to the Force-19x ‘Konica Minolta’ with the Auckland-based crew of Greg Brinck and Eldon Archer ready to fire.

Organisers rate the Formula Honda class as strong as ever, with seven to 10 boats confirmed for each round of the series.

One to watch will be former UK Honda four-stroke champion Phil Haynes.

Haynes, who has recently migrated to NZ, will run selected races aboard ‘Honda Marine’ and his experience and hard charging style will certainly add interest.

Racing will start at 12 noon on the ocean side of the marina; most classes should complete the course in about one hour.

The championship continues at Maraetai, in South-East Auckland (February 28), Napier (March 7), Wellington (March 21), Whitianga (April 4), Whangarei (April 18) and the final on Auckland Harbour (May 2).

For further information visit the website, www.nzoffshore.co.nz