Tim Fenwick – going places and in a hurry

by Bob Wonders on 2 Jun 2010 It would seem Tim Fenwick and fast boats were made for each other.

The 19-year-old son of Fenwick's Marina boss Andrew Fenwick is showing skill at the wheel of a quick boat beyond his years.

‘Southern Cross' an 1800 Bullet powered by a Mercury XS 250hp racing outboard, is Tim's pride and joy, its engine cared for by top water ski racer and former powerboat ace Jason Walmsley, of Zigs Marine.

A member of the Upper Hawkesbury Power Boat Club, Tim contested the 2009 Bridge to Bridge and in only his second start in the highly competitive SMOC (Standard Motor Open Cockpit) class raced to a convincing victory.

He covered the winding, 112 kilometre course along the Hawkesbury River in 41 minutes, 28 seconds and established a new race record for the class at an average speed of 151km/hr (94mph).

Tim had contested his first Bridge to Bridge the previous year and although a ‘new kid on the block' claimed third place in the very good time of 45 minutes, 55 seconds.

This year (May 2) Tim again lined up for the punishing Bridge to Bridge powerboat classic and again proved he was ‘the man' in SMOC class, winning the race in 40 minutes, 16 seconds, knocking 72 seconds off the record he had established the previous year.

Tim and ‘Southern Cross; consistently hit the ‘magic ton', 100mph (160km/hr) during the race.

Adding further shine to his achievement was the fact that ‘Southern Cross' finished seventh outright, beating Unlimited Outboard and MOC (Modified Open Cockpit) classes to the finish line at the Windsor Marine Stadium.

Not a bad effort from a youngster, who only began racing in November, 2007.

Last year, always ready to lock horns on the race circuit, Tim joined up with the Australian Formula Powerboat Championships series.

This organisation conducts Formula 1, 2, 3 and Sports Mono classes and after competing at Taree, Grafton and Geelong it probably comes as no surprise to learn that Tim Fenwick and ‘Southern Cross' leads the points for the Sports Mono class.

Tim and his ‘beloved Bullet' will be facing starter again next month (July 24-25) with the fifth round of the championships set for Port Macquarie, on the NSW north coast and the final round at Penrith, west of Sydney, over the weekend of August 28-29.

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In a way, the Hawkesbury River course for the Bridge to Bridge could be considered Tim Fenwick's ‘home ground'.

Fenwick's Marina, just one hour (by car) north of Sydney, is situated in one of the most picturesque locations possible for a marina and it's right on the banks of the Hawkesbury River.

From the marina, it's only a six or seven kilometre ‘hop' to Broken Bay and the open ocean.

Fenwick's Marina is a full service facility, offering 58 berths, a full range of fuel, extensive service facilities and 60 vehicle car parking.

For Tim Fenwick it is both home and work; he is employed at Andrew Botting Traditional Shipwrights as an apprentice shipwright and is currently serving out his fourth year.

Chances are there's more saltwater than blood running through the veins of this young man.

Keep an eye on him at Port Macquarie and you may well be seeing a future star of Formula 1 carving out another apprenticeship.