Offshore Superboat Series Returns to Newcastle this weekend

by AOPC media on 1 May 2009 The fastest Offshore Powerboats in Australia will return to Newcastle for the next round of the Australian championships on the 2nd and 3rd May 2009.

The Newcastle race course is unique in that the teams will be racing in two different types of conditions, the open ocean and the calm harbour waters.

Spectators will have a great view and will see speeds of up to 220kph, as the offshore powerboats race into the harbour before navigating a two buoy turn and race back out to sea to complete another lap.

The Class 1 fight will continue with seven teams out to win. Maritimo leads the charge half way through the season with the leaser powered Global Racing in second place, showing that consistency and reliability are the key to offshore racing.

Chasing them both will be Acme, Impact Steel and Simrad and the two new teams of Team 3 and The Good Guys, both getting used to new boats and hoping to become stronger, as they have more seat time in race boats.

A close battle in Superboat Outboard with the SUV Dodge Ram team of Matt Humphrey and Simon Isherwood on top and the Saracen team of Antony DeFina and Nigel Craven close behind.

However they won't have things their own way with the Kwozzy 2 team of Jim Harris and Adam Nicolls getting a handle on their new boat and the Blade Custom Boats, with Cameron Davis and Brett Luhrmann on board, has shown great speed. Minor technical problems have held them back from the podium.

Superboat Outboard Lite has two new teams, Kwozzy with new owners Greg Collins and Jan Imrie, both of who can not race the Newcastle round, so they have enlisted Karl Wall on the throttles and Mark Taylor driving to give the boat its first shake down race.

Shaken Not Stirred will return with Brian Dale and Brooke Ullrich in the enclosed canopy craft.

Team Tiger (formally Elders Team) Mick Walker and Gary Smith have the class lead, with the Berwicks Team of Ian Harris and Graham Fraser on their heels.

The Hog’s Breath Team of Paul Gibbs and Paul Fowlds hope to have the new boat on track after a few minor teething problems at the Geelong round.

The Dry Pits and Craning Area is at Throsby Wharf on Honeysuckle Drive, Newcastle. Boats will be on display Saturday and Sunday 2nd and 3rd May 2009.

Practice session is on Saturday 2nd May between 2pm and 3pm.

Racing starts at 11am Sunday 3rd May (Duration Approx 1hr).

The Offshore Superboat Series wish to Thank Nautilus Marine Boat Insurance for their support of this event.

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