Australian Offshore Superboat calendar confirmed
by Bob Wonders on 19 Feb 2010
Searle Brothers’ big cat, ’Acme Racing’, the 2007 Class 1 champion, is another to express a fondness for the Geelong venue. Andrew Gricks
http://www.andrewgricksphotography.com
Organisers of the 2010 Australian Offshore Superboat Championships have confirmed the dates for the 2010 championship, but although plans for one round to be staged on Sydney Harbour did not come to fruition, all is not yet lost.
'Simply put, the time frame was too short, but the signs for a Sydney round are definitely promising,' Offshore Superboat Championships chairman, Paul Gibbs, explained.
'We have had detailed discussions with the powers that be in Sydney and have been told to submit our application and all relevant paperwork now for the chance of a Sydney Harbour round in 2011,' he added.
The six rounds of the 2010 championships will begin at Newcastle over the weekend of April 10 and 11.
Queensland then hosts the next three rounds. Mackay (June 26/27), Townsville (July 3/4) and Redcliffe (September 18/19).
The championships then move south to Victoria for the final two rounds.
Geelong will host round five over the weekend of November 6 and 7, with Melbourne's Port Phillip Bay the venue for the final round one week later, November 13 and 14.
Mackay has not previously been used for the Offshore Superboat Championships, but organisers are confident it will prove an effective setting for the racing.
Newcastle, Townsville, Redcliffe and Geelong have all proven successful venues in the past.
The second Melbourne race was previously staged at Williamstown, but for 2010 the round has been switched to a Port Phillip Bay venue closer to the city of Melbourne due to sponsorship arrangements.
Crews generally speaking have been more than happy with the chosen venues, although Mackay has yet to prove itself.
Reigning Class 1 champion, Tom Barry-Cotter (Maritimo) rates Geelong has his favourite course, but many other crews shower equal praise on Redcliffe, outside Brisbane.
Horses for courses, as the saying goes, the scene is set for an exciting 2010 championships.
Teams are now busily engaged in preparing boats and engines in readiness.
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