North Queensland set to welcome Offshore Superboat Championships

by Bob Wonders on 23 Jun 2011 Offshore racers have their eyes on the tropical waters of North Queensland this week, with rounds two and three of the 2011 Offshore Superboat Championships (OSC) scheduled for the next two weekends at Mackay (June 25-26) and Townsville (July 2-3).

A strong line-up in all classes is expected at both venues, which have already proven ideal for offshore powerboat racing.

In Class 1, interest will centre on the reigning class champions, Tom Barry-Cotter (driver) and Pal Virik Nilsen (throttles) aboard the Maritimo Offshore Race Team’s catamaran ‘Mustang.’

The duo set out to make 2011 their fourth successive championships crown, but a DNF in round one off Newcastle saw team mates Luke Durman (driver) and Ross Willaton (throttles) take victory aboard ‘Maritimo.’

Simon Isherwood (driver) and Colin Crave (throttles) aboard ‘Jaeger Group’ also recorded a DNF and will be out to make amends.

There’ll be some added interest in Supercat Lite with the return of ‘Team 3’ in a new boat, the former Dubai-built Victory catamaran acquired by team owner Adam Gilbert and re-powered by a pair of reliable 525hp MerCruiser V8 engines.

With Steve Nugent at the wheel and Kiwi Travis Thompson on throttles, the boat was launched for the first time last weekend.

'We are confident the boat is ready to go and capable of giving Supercat Lite opponents a real run for the chequered flag,’ Adam Gilbert declared.

'It handled beautifully and we only had to check our set up, rudder and propellers.

'We’re running stainless steel Mercury props, 38' diameter, 16.75A' pitch and couldn’t be happier.

'Although we did not call on wide open throttle during our initial runs with the boat, we are ready and raring to go come the weekend,' he added.

Mackay-based boat, ‘The Good Guys’, brothers Chris (driver) and Brendan) throttles) aboard leads Supercat Lite after taking victory at Newcastle.

Another local entry, Townsville-based ‘Mazlin Electrical’, Carl Mazlin driving and Scott Kittle handling throttles, failed to finish at Newcastle and will be looking for a much improved effort.

Some very close and highly competitive racing is expected in Supercat Outboard and Supercat Outboard Lite.

‘Saracen’, Antony deFina (driver) and Nigel Craven (throttles) aboard claimed victory at Newcastle and lead the class championship from ‘Kwozzy 2’ (Jim Harris, driver and Paul Fowlds, throttles).

Two well-performed boats failed to finish at Newcastle and will certainly making every effort to get closer to the podium.

‘SUV Dodge Ram’ (Cameron Davis/Brett Lurhmann) and ‘Berwicks’ (Graham Fraser/Scott Gehrman) will be pulling out all their horsepower to make up for Newcastle.

‘FGI’, Mick Walker (driver) and Gary Smith (throttles) have dominated Supercat Outboard Lite and will not be backward in coming forward to do it all again!

‘Hog’s Breath’, with former OSC president Paul Gibbs at the wheel and Gryff Ethell on throttles were not far off the pace at Newcastle and will not be planning on allowing ‘FGI’ to have an easy race.

Scrutineering is scheduled for 10am to 1pm on June 25 at Mackay.

A 2pm, all classes will engage in the Pole Position Shootout.

Racing is set for 11am on the Sunday (June 26).

At Townsville the following weekend, scrutineering is set for 10am and the Pole Position Shootout will take place from 2pm.

Racing is timed for 11am on the Sunday (July Offshore Superboat Championships website