Troy Marland - Australia's latest World Champion

by Bob Wonders on 18 Dec 2010 In some ways, it’s been a tough year for the UIM Unlimited Displacement powerboat world champion, Troy Marland, owner/driver of ‘Haier Madness’.

Sure, he emerged victorious at Gol Gol, near Mildura, on the NSW-Victorian border to claim the world crown in October, but he has also attended three funerals, all involving mates and fellow competitors.

Troy admits there’s an element of danger involved in powerboat racing, but he believes his enclosed cockpit cell, comprising high-tech composite production and built-in oxygen support, offers adequate protection.

'Frankly, my family would be dead set against me racing if I did not have an enclosed cockpit cell,' he told me.

'My three mates (Australian champion Brian McCosker, America’s Dave Bryant and ‘Rival’ driver John Cross) all met their death in open cockpit, blown alcohol boats.

'I know the Australian Power Boat Association has attempted to enforce an enclosed cockpit rule for the entire sport, but the blown alcohol boat (known, perhaps appropriately as BAD boats) guys wanted to race in their usual manner, with open cockpits.

'Personally I believe it will eventually be enforced and we will see all boats in all classes having the enclosed cockpit,' he added.

Coincidentally, Marland survived a crash in 2005 remarkably similar to that which claimed the life of John Cross.

Cross was at the wheel of ‘Rival’ when it ‘threw’ a propeller blade causing the driver to be hurled from the boat sustaining fatal injuries.

'My own incident was very similar, involving a propeller in much the same manner, but I guess I was just luckier,' Marland explained.

‘Haier Madness’, Marland’s boat, has been described as 'a work of art.'

Some rivals have declared it 'unbeatable.'

It is a 21’ (6.4-metres) Evercraft built from fibreglass a mix of high-tech composites and powered by a 500 cubic inch Chevrolet big block engine pumping out in excess of 2000 horsepower.

At 7600rpm ‘Haier Madness’ is ripping across the water at roughly 160mph (258km/hr).

Reliability (and durability) is part of the reason for Marland’s success and he is quick to heap praise on Norli Engineering’s Norm McMillan, the man who attends to that 500 cubic inches of Chevrolet ‘iron.’
Sponsors, too, play an important role and Marland has been well supported by Haier, parent company of a white goods manufacturer, Currie Brothers Engineering, Warren’s Plumbing Service, Gromor Enterprises and propeller designer/manufacturer the legendary Bert Everingham.

Not having first-hand experience with unlimited displacement boats, I must admit to being surprised on learning that ‘Haier Madness’ uses a two-bladed propeller.

That was certainly news to me.

And why ‘Madness’?

Easily answered, Troy Marland’s father, Derek, who still races occasionally, coined the name some years ago and Troy figured 'if it was good enough for Dad it’s good enough for me.'

Originally from the Hunter Valley region in NSW, Troy Marland, his wife and two children these days call the Queensland Gold Coast home.

He remains a member of the Taree Aquatic Club on the NSW north coast and rates its Manning River course as his 'absolute favourite.'

I would image experience has played a prominent part in Troy Marland’s successes – at some stage he has won just about everything on offer except the E.C. Griffith Cup, something he hopes to remedy in the future.

He began racing as a junior, competing in 6hp events, graduating to 15hp and on through 5.0-litre injected, 5.0-litre carburettor and 6.0-litre.

There’s no substitute for hands-on experience.

Next 'cab off the rank' for Troy Marland and ‘Haier Madness’ will be an attempt on the UIM Unlimited Displacement Kilo world record.

He will make the attempt on the Manning River, Taree, in February.
The current world record, 133mph (214km/hr) is held by the late Brian McCosker.

'That may seem a rather low speed for a world record, but it’s asking a lot of an engine to maintain full power for that distance,' Troy explains.

'When an engine is going hard at 7600rpm it is under enormous stress and you have to be doing that prior to crossing the kilo start line and maintain it until you cross the kilo finish line.

'That’s no easy task,' he added (rather unnecessarily, I might add).

Hard though it may be, looking at Troy Marland’s record and that state-of-the-art rig ‘Haier Madness’, I would definitely not bet against him claiming the world mark.

I definitely have the impression that Mr Marland does not like coming second!