Bundy Thunder – it’s about courage

by Carla Adams on 14 Oct 2009
Wide Bay Australia’s Bundy Thunder powerboat spectacular (November 6-8) is a series of races that epitomise excitement, horsepower and all the associated noise and fanfare.

This year, it will also feature a tribute race with a difference, a race to honour a former tough competitor in the late Larry Martin, but also a race that has been a vital step in healing a rift between a father and the son he left behind.

The men who do battle in displacement boats are a pretty tough bunch, but they’re also loyal and never forget their won.

When Larry Martin, driver of the racer ‘Trojan’ was tragically killed in what has been described as 'a freak accident' during the 2004 Bundy Thunder, it was only a matter of time before a tribute race to preserve his memory was organised.

By 2008, the Trojan Cup had become well established as Australia’s premiere 6.0-litre displacement race and one of two staged annually to honour Larry Martin.

The other, held by the Upper Hawkesbury Powerboat Club, is the Trojan Trophy, and the famous Hawkesbury River is a location very well known to Jared Martin who, as a child, watched his father race for many years there before their estrangement.

'I grew up on and around the water, was a complete ‘water baby’ in every way,' Jared explains, his early boating experience eventually leading to a career with Leigh-Smith Cruiser Sales on the Gold Coast.

'Dad started racing in the early 1980s in social ski boats and just loved it,' Jared recalled.

'He was a machinery operator and had an earthmoving business on the Sunshine Coast, so his knowledge of engines led him to getting better equipment and going faster.'

In 1990 Larry Marin won his first Australasian championship at the Windsor (NSW) Spectacular, setting a speed record of 118mph (190km/hr) which would stand for eight years.

He was to race at the first Wide Bay Australia Bundy Thunder in 2002 and competed in each one until his death.

'When he died, Dad had been racing for about 19-years,' Jared said.

'He was a very strong campaigner for safety within the sport, his aim being fast, competitive and safe boats.

'What happened to him was a freak accident, a piece sheared off his propeller and flipped the boat and that was the end,' he added, sadly.

It took Jared four-years to summon the courage to attend a race meeting.

'I ran into a fellow named Troy Marland, who with his father Derek drives ‘Haier Madness’ and we formed a friendship which led to him inviting me to be a part of his team,' Jared said.

'They had known Dad for years and in 2008 when I first ventured to the Bundy Thunder I met guys who had raced alongside Dad for more than 15-years.

'Everyone has been so supportive, I just can’t thank them all enough, and especially I’m grateful to Derek and Troy Marland for allowing me to be part of their team, 'he added.

The healing process for Jared means he now travels all over Australia with the ‘Madness’ team as a crew member; the team runs two boats, with drivers Derek and Troy, a pit crew, an engine builder and mechanics.

'People who join a powerboat crew usually end up in the water holding the boat – that’s me, I’m still in the water,' Jared says.

'My main goal is to have my own 6.0-litre injected boat and to see the Martin name carry on in the Trojan Cup, maintaining the family legacy that Dad started.'

Organisers of the 2009 Wide Bay Australia Bundy Thunder expect about 30 races over the two days, with classes ranging from Juniors through to Formula I and Blown Alcohol Displacement classes.

The Wide Bay Australia Bundy Thunder is partly funded under the Queensland Events Regional Development Program.
For a full calendar of events under the program visit the website, www.queenslandevents.com.au

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Website: www.bundythunder.com.au