Shane Vella claims Australian F1 crown

by Bob Wonders on 2 Sep 2010
The final round of the Australian Formula Powerboats Association held at Penrith, in Sydney's outer Western Suburbs, showed just how kind or cruel racing can be.

It was kind to Shane Vella, crowned 2010 Australian Formula 1 powerboat champion, and cruel to Damien McKenzie.

Prior to the weekend's racing, Damien McKenzie looked odds on to claim the F1 title, but on the opening day, in the first F1 race, McKenzie was involved in what was described as 'an enormous collision' with Anthony McEnally.

McEnally was 'knocked cold' and quickly airlifted to hospital with concussion, but was eventually cleared of serious or life threatening injuries.

McKenzie sustained only minor bruising, but the same could not be said for his boat, its nosecone and both front sponsons totally destroyed.

As a result, McKenzie, who topped the point score prior to the race, was unable to compete for the remainder of the round, leaving Vella's team only needing to face the starter to win.

Showing the sportsmanship that exists within the Australian Formula Powerboat Association, Vella later said he 'really felt for Damien at this time.'

'Racing can be cruel or it can be kind,' he said.

'I have been in a similar situation to that which Damien found himself in and my heart goes out to him,' Vella added.

Racing for the final round of the F1, F2, F3, Spots Monos and Formula Future Classes began on the Saturday, staged on the renowned Sydney International Regatta Centre near the Nepean River.

In what could only be termed a good sign for the sport, the Formula Futures attracted 20 entries, the largest field experienced this year.

The big field led to organisers breaking the group into J1 and J2 (with the smaller horsepower engines) and J3 using the 15hp engines.

Harrison Brereton, sole J1 entry, raced with the J2 field while J3 led to a close contest between Kieran Cave and Luke Madill, honours declared even.

The Sports Monos were next clash and two drivers spun out and ended their chances of victory.

In race one, David Ainley spun out at the western end of the course, while in race two it was Corey Smith who lost the lead and a potential win when his boat ran wide forcing him to renegotiate the turn buoys.

This cost too much time to make up and he finished well behind Tim Fenwick and his quick Bullet ‘Southern Cross.'

There was more drama to follow when the F2 class saw Trevor Hodder roll his boat; he was uninjured and despite a missing engine cover damage appeared to be minimal.

Formula 3 led to a titanic struggle between Corey Davoll and Geoff Bollins, but it was Dave Connolly who eventually came through for victory.

Several others sustained minor mechanical and electrical problems through the day, the ‘victims' including Dave Wedlock and Chris Kuznetsoff.

Sunday dawned bright and clear and all were ready for a top final day of racing.

F1 lost some of its strength with the retirement of Damien McKenzie, who suggested he felt like he had 'gone 19 rounds with Ali and Tyson'

Sadly he was not the only none-starter; Victorian driver Dean Tricky experienced a dead battery cell, which even an overnight charge failed to rectify.

He borrowed another from the Watersports Marine Team, but that failed as well.

To top tings off, the engine blow-up ‘demons' were on track with Craig Truslove, Jamie Butler and Craig Bailey all succumbing to serious problems.

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Hard to believe, but 11 engines were virtually destroyed during the final round of racing.

F1 and F2 ran together in the final race with Vella going through to claim the inaugural F1 title.

The final point score for the Formula 1 was;

Shane Vella, 1 (4244 points), Damien McKenzie, 2 (3925), Craig Truslove, 3 (2158), Anthony McEnally 4, (1526), Grant Trask, 5 (1412), David Trask, 6 (1250), Mick Beasley, 7 (642), Ron Beasley, 8 (245), Greg Banks, 9 (222), Dean Trickey, 10 (50).

We are still waiting on the final results for F2, F3, Sports Mono and Formula Future classes.

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