Race record shattered in Australian Bridge to Bridge one-up ski race

by Mick Kelly on 4 May 2009 Chris Stout and the team of ‘Blazen’ have become the fastest crew to ever travel down the Hawkesbury River, winning the Bridge to Bridge one up race in a record shattering time of 35.14.

The race was run in conjunction with the Upper Hawkesbury Power Boat Club’s annual Bridge to Bridge powerboat classic.

With Noel Griffin and Bernie Simpson still bleary eyed after working on mechanical gremlins late into the night as well as getting up early to test, they drove the perfect race to take the win.

After big challenges by other competitors, including a huge run after bar point from Greg Houston’s ‘Stinga’, ‘Blazen’ led the whole way to take about a minute off ‘Hellbent's record from last year.

Noel Griffin Racing secured a 1,2 result with the ‘Burnin’ crew of Gary Holzwart, Jason Bennet and Mark Weaver taking second, also under the old record.

Grant Patterson behind ‘Stinga’ took third, rounding out one of the fastest podiums ever.

Race organisers offered congratulations to the entire Noel Griffin Racing team.

The sheer magnitude of this performance is a credit to the team and its machinery.

In Unlimited, it was Kris Knights behind the ‘Agitator’ taking the win from ‘Hazy’ with Trent Eastgate who were hot on their heels.

Both these teams did 38 minute runs, a time which a couple of years ago would have won them outright.

Chris Mansfield behind ‘Elm Street’ took third.

’Crimsafe Racing’ took out the under 19's, with Richard Souwer.

‘Ace Racing' claimed MOC with Zac Welch skiing while, ‘Stalker Racing’ won SMOC.

‘Nothin But’ won 6.0-litre with ‘Idlewild’ winning Womens and ‘Tuff e Nuff’ taking out the Formula 2.
ski race.