´The Apprentice´, Sam Hughes, HRT powerboat racer from New Zealand
Being introduced by his father in our first piece about the Hughes Racing Team (HRT), it is now Sam’s turn to bring us up to speed with current powerboating in NZ and his exploits in that. Below Sam talks us through the current racing in New Zealand and how HRT is doing in that. Keep checking back regularly to PowerboatPro as the Hughes family will keep us up to date on racing in NZ during the season but also during preparations for the new season.
New Zealand is a small country, population of about 4 million people. A lot of us are petrol heads and enjoy our motorsport. You could say we are passionate about whatever sport we are involved in.
It is sometimes funny when you talk to people and you discuss your professions and your lively activities. “So Sam what do u like to do” reply “oh hit a few golf balls, fishing, drinking with the boys, or simply being on holiday on a beach or lake…………. oh and i race power boats” most of them reply with: “are u mad! “Or, are they the ones that flip over in the air! They have to come and watch the racing to believe it. It seems funny to me that people react this way, as it seems normal to me.
As I came into this world all of 27 years ago, I had no idea that the world of power boat racing would become such a passion, I go back to my early school days during the 90’s being away racing with dad, coming home holding a trophy of some sort to show my friends and tell them all the stories back at school, I think the teachers just thought I was a silly child with a wild imagination
I remember Dads new Hodges hull being built, with no cell or seat belts with a wing from tip to tip across the sponsons powered by an evinrude CCC on it, raced under the sponsorship of Shell. It soon changed to have a safety cell fitted and with this became powered by mercury. This was my dream boat. I watched it for about 5 seasons, dominating the racing circuit.
From here my passion for the sport grew, it was no longer just a group of us kids going to watch some boats with our Bmx bikes, I became more involved and learnt more of the sport. I soon became Dads no.1 crew man and from there we made a great team. We just had a good understanding of what needed to be done and how to achieve it.
Over time with being a crew man of about 10 seasons we felt that it was about time for me to have my own boat and start my own racing career. To be honest I was a late starter, as most kids come thru in their teens where I was already in my 20’s. What made this special is that we got to start a father son team HRT (Hughes race team) and of all things I got to start in my dream boat………. yes the Hodges. It had been sitting in a shed for a number of years but was still in very good condition. I knew that this was a proven boat. I spent the entire winter restoring it as was a bare hull and named it “The Business”
I knew it would be still fast and I just wanted to drive it from watching it race 15 years earlier. It took a little bit to understand about driving as most things do, I guess it’s a bit like learning to ride a bike, you have to find your balance first then your away on your own. It was a nervous feeling being in it for the first time with so many people watching me the son of Steve Hughes, these were big shoes to fill.
Once I had a few races under my belt and had my confidence we took it back in time so to speak and made it into a winning boat again. Driving it was a dream! I think we surprised a lot of people. We had a fantastic opening 2009 Season. It just did “The Business”. Hughes race team was on the map.
2010 arrives in a blink of an eye and we have on sold “The Business” Was a great starting boat to learn in, but time to move up to something faster and more aggressive. Guess it’s like buying a car, when u Trade it in for a newer model.
I was handed down Dads Burgess built by the master Dave Burgess, as he had gone for a new challenge in a Seebold. I thought it was only fitting that seeing the boat was handed down from my teacher and I was still a bit green, we called the boat “The Apprentice”. Without a word of a lie what a master piece. It took my racing to a whole new level and we secured my first NZ national title for formula 2.
Even now with two boats me and dad racing as team HRT, we still have a good understanding of what we both need with each other’s boats. He does the engines and i take care of the maintenance and wiring. It’s not only the racing that’s great but that I get to do it with the old man as a team which makes it even more enjoyable. I would be nowhere with out him. I can´t imagine life with out this sport.
As well as racing in NZ, I have been lucky enough to make it across to some world F1 races to crew in Italy as I travelled thru Europe in 2005 and again last year in china which was a great eye opener, something to aim for. The racing was top notch and everything was so well put together. I take my hat off to those drivers and the organiser’s.
I can’t say enough about the sport and the fun we have, it’s a great event throughout our summer. We have made some great friends, people you only see maybe ten or twelve times a year but we always manage to stay in contact and somehow always end up talking about boats.
All the best to all around the world,
Sam Hughes
HRT Racing.
All articles and pictures in HRT Racing on PowerboatPro courtesy of the Hughes family and HRT Racing
