 |
 |
» 325,- € |
  |
|
» 3796,- € |
| |
|
» 76,- € |
| |
|
» 189,- € |
| |
|
» 26,20 € |
| |
|
|
|
Big weekend on the Water in the Capital
17.03.2008 |
© NZ Offshore Powerboat Association |
|
| The nations capital city plays host to not only the fastest powerboats in New Zealand, but also to the annual dragon boating festive over the weekend. While the Wellington weather has played it’s part over the years many competitors will be hoping for the flat and calm conditions that greeted the field last season, in a race that was won by current series leader Peter Turner & Craig Archer in the 34-foot, 1050hp Phantom catamaran, Sleepyhead. The Sleepyhead team have been totally dominant this year winning the first three rounds convincingly; they appear to have a distinct acceleration advantage over the rest of the field running a higher gear ratio than the other superboat teams with bigger propellers with a deeper pitch that is complimenting the rest of the boats set up. |
© NZ Offshore Powerboat Association |
|
© NZ Offshore Powerboat Association |
|
| A likely challenge on the tight course that Wellington harbour offers should come from Auckland brothers, Warren & Scott Lewis in Fairview Windows & Doors. This team certainly have the speed and cornering ability and if they can get off to a good start they may be able to match the Sleepyhead team; if not they may have trouble defending their second position on the points table because breathing down their necks will be the new combination of Tony Coleman & Wayne Carson in PlaceMakers Cure Kids. Coleman in his first season in the Superboat class has plenty of experience sitting next to him, in fact Carson has enjoyed considerable success on the capitals water, winning the event seven years in a row and will no doubt be giving his new partner plenty of advice as to getting the big skater catamaran around the course as quickly as possible. Wayne Valder and Ross Christenson were bitterly disappointed a fortnight ago when they missed the start completely and were left in the wakes of there competitors at Maraetai and are extremely keen to make amends this weekend. If the weather blows up to 20 knots it will be all on for the Pro Floors team as they know this boat handles the rough conditions exceptionally well and they will be keen to close the gap in the championship race and keep their hopes alive. The Superboat Light class has plenty of local interest with two Wellington teams, championship points leader Kelly Smith & her co driver Travis Thompson in the 28-foot 580hp twin Mercury powered Douglas Skater catamaran Rayglass Boats, while Kelly’s father, Grant Smith will line up with co driver Dave Aldridge in Addictive Racing in an identical boat to that of Rayglass. These two teams have already opened a good point’s lead over their rivals and will be hoping for this trend to continue. Hoping to spoil the Smith party will be two teams from Auckland in similar boats, Cary Gleeson & Sam Fillmore in the bright yellow Doosan Construction Equipment, while Bob Smith will team up with regular co driver Mark Taiatini in Family Boats. |
© NZ Offshore Powerboat Association |
|
© NZ Offshore Powerboat Association |
|
While the big Superboats race over the 100-mile course, a lot of action will be in the smaller 60-mile classes who make up a large percentage of the total field. The formula Honda class this year is certainly closer than the past few season, already we have had three different winners in the first three rounds and there is little separating the top six teams on the points table. Obviously extremely keen and looking for a win on his home waters will be Michael Smith in Cougar Marine. In his second season Smith has already stood on top of the podium with a first up win at Taupo and a win this weekend would set himself and co driver Matt Hopkins up nicely as they head into the second half of the season. Mark Helms in Miss Electopar hasn’t fired a shot all season and will be hungry for some success while Michael Knight in Building Solutions and Mike Urquhart in Light Industries will also be keen to continue their good form of late. In the Super 60 class Tauranga’s Mark Diggleman in financepoint.co.nz showed a clean transom at Maraetai and will be hard to catch, although Tony Beetham in Topline Builders is starting to come to grips in his new boat. In the Sports 60 class, Greg Brinck in Konica Minolta will be hoping for a change in fortune after finishing in second place behind Greg Crawford in Team Steadcraft two weeks ago at Maraetai, while Otaki’s Tim Fellows will be looking for another good performance in Stealth Powerboats. Rounding out the 60 mile field will be the Classic Class entrants. This class has been specially set-up to have some of the former race boats from yester year out on the water doing there thing, no real rules except a speed limit of 80mph. Keep an eye out for the impressive looking boat of Marine Workz driven by Mike Cameron. Hoping to make a special appearance for Wellington race fans will be the 30-foot Chris Craft Jesse James.
Racing gets under way at 2.15pm, while all boats will be on display to the public at Evans Bay Marina from 9am. |
 |
|
| |
Hyperlinks
»»
Shirts selbst gestalten und bestellen!
|
|
|
|
