Offshore Powerboats set to rampage at the Whitianga Festival of Speed

by Cathy Vercoe on 7 Apr 2010
Fast and furious racing can be expected again from the Rayglass New Zealand Offshore Powerboats as they compete in the scenic but challenging waters of Mercury Bay during the www.whitiangafos.co.nz!2010_Whitianga_Festival_of_Speed, this coming weekend.

Last year's race saw boats flying over a two metre swell, providing plenty of excitement and entertainment for the spectators along the foreshore.

The season this year has been exciting with the lead in nearly every class changing hands with each race, and with three races left in the season the championship points are still up for grabs for those who can not only go faster, but survive the conditions.

The Formula Hondas provided plenty of entertainment in their last race, with a boat sinking and crews struggling to complete the race in the short choppy waters of Wellington Harbour. The boats in this class are all 19 foot Sonic Boats with identical 150 Hp Honda Outboard motors. The propellers are numbered and a draw is held to allocate a prop for each boat on the morning of each race.

Whitianga traditionally turns on quite different conditions with a large rolling sea swell coming into the bay – and the problem with climbing these hills at speed is that there's nothing on the other side but air. The fall from great heights proved too much for some of the boats last year with hulls splitting and gear shaking itself loose, so a lot of work has gone in to preparing the boats for the battle of the season.

The big contest this year is between Honda Marine on 1994 points and Rayglass who struggled to finish with broken steering in Wellington on 2100 points. Though the leaders seem to be clear it doesn't take much for the boats to run into difficulties and drop out of the race leaving the field wide open for those chasing from further down the points table. Total Oil and Auckland District Collections are chasing hard on their heels and are still within reach of a podium place.

To add even more interest to the race David Cowley, the current 2009 UK Formula Honda Champion will be competing in a boat supplied by Altitude Bar and Nightclub and prepared by Fish City in Hamilton. David raced at Whitianga three years ago where he came second, so will no doubt be aiming for the top spot against the kiwis.

In the Superboat class competition is also hot with Doosan leading the field on 2025 points, but with three other Superboats nipping at their heels things could all change by the end of the race. The Australian boat Team 3 on 1796 points just loves the big waves, and will be working hard to get the lead. Fairview got plenty of air at Whitianga last year and will be going all out to gain the points after barrel rolling their boat in Wellington, but miraculously finishing the race. A1 Homes are also in contention for a podium place and have been improving their performance with every race.

With the return of the Superboat Lite Doosan, well known for her bright yellow livery and now raced by Gordon Robinson and Andrew McBeth of Barracuda Kayaks, the Superboat Lite class has also hotted up. Led by NZ Blokes on 1119 points there isn't much between the top three boats. Red Steel have 908 points and Rayglass close behind on 837. Barracuda Kayaks may not have competed in many races this season but are still capable of upsetting the placings now they have a tried and tested boat to compete in.

Other classes include the Classic boats, Sports 60, Super 60 and Super 60 restricted. These boats provided plenty of entertainment last year with the Super 60 Batboat 'Espresso Engineers' getting plenty of height as she raced out toward the island. Konica Minolta won this class last year, and plenty of work will have been done to prepare for this week's race after she submarined in Wellington and sank.

The offshore powerboats contest two races in Whitianga with at least 20 boats expected to enter. A 100-mile race is contested by the Superboat and Superboat Lite classes, while the Super 60, Classic, Sports 60 restricted, Sports 60 and popular Formula Honda classes compete in a 60-mile race.

With predicted fine weather, a Southwesterly breeze of 10 knots and a slight sea swell racing should be fast and furious.

Excellent viewing of the course will be available along the foreshore of Buffalo Beach.
Boats are on display on Saturday morning along the foreshore, and then move to the Wharf area where the Superboats will be craned into the water, while others launch from the boat ramp or Marina Travel lift.

Boats depart from the Wharf / Marina area at 12.15 pm

Racing starts at 1 pm

Best viewing from Buffalo Beach foreshore

Radio Coverage: Tune in to 88.3 FM for race commentary before and during the race

Event details and results are posted on the NZOPA website, www.nzoffshore.co.nz or see www.whitiangafos.co.nz for more information about the Whitianga Festival of Speed.

After the Whitianga event, the Rayglass NZ Offshore Powerboat Championship continues at Marsden Cove, Whangarei on the 24th April and the last race of the season is on Auckland Harbour on the eighthMay.