Sixty years of powerboat action on the Manning River

by Bob Wonders on 31 Mar 2010
Powerboat racers from as far afield as South Australia and North Queensland will be in action on Taree's Manning River on the Easter weekend for the Taree Aquatic Club's annual Easter Classic.

The picturesque riverside town, about three-hours by road north of Sydney, has long been a power boating stronghold.

Over the two days, Easter Saturday and Easter Sunday, more than 100 of the fastest boats on Australia's east coast will go head-to-head, with 28 events scheduled for each of the two days.

With 56 spectacular races, the Easter Classic should certainly attract more than the Easter Bunny.

Taree club president, Peter Brown, said at last count there were 115 entries covering hydroplane, carburettor and injected classes.

'We're expecting a full on weekend of racing with many of the drivers highly experienced and familiar with the club's course,' he said.

Thirteen hydroplanes are scheduled to start with the big Grand Prix hydro of Grant Harrison, ‘GP1', entitled to start favourite.

Veteran racer Troy Marland at the wheel of ‘Madness' will be tough to beat in the 5.2 Injected Class with strong opposition to come from Robert Benn in ‘Flat Nakkas.'

Marland's engine has been prepared by Taree local Vic Currie.

A strong 14 boat field will line up for the 5.2-litre Carby class with Alan Micallef (‘Hostage'), Justin Frankham (‘Quiver') and local driver Jim McFarlane (‘Hobo') considered likely to battle for the chequered flag.

The Pro Stock class has drawn 11 entries and local observers rate ‘Handfull', ‘Noiseworks' and ‘Mad Macs II' as those most likely to achieve podium finishes.


Eleven entries have also been attracted to the 6.0-litre Carby class, carrying the prestigious Alan Smythe Memorial Trophy.

Greg Lewis (‘Hi-Flya') and Chris Whalan (‘Sacrifice') have been nominated as tough to beat, but will encounter strong opposition from another local in Wayne Green (‘Wild Child').


The 6.0-litre Injected class has confirmed seven starters, but organisers believe another one or two late entries are possible.

There's sure to be some close racing between ‘Oxygen Thief', driven by Chris Pugsley and ‘Xplicit', with Chris Hearne at the wheel.

However, Taree club member and long time competitor in the class, Chris Deehan will be looking to do well on his home track in ‘Ultra'.

Easter will also see round two of the ‘Bad Boy Mowers' Blown Lite series, with strict rules and engine restrictions applied.

'With 2010 being the first year of this class, it's anyone's guess who might go through for a win,' Peter Brown explained.

'Nevertheless, with seven entries we feel it will emerge as one of the highlights of the Easter program,' he added.

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