Superboats put on stunning show for Geelong
High drama and high speed unfolded on Corio Bay today, as thousands of spectators lined the Geelong foreshore for round five of the Australian Offshore Superboat Championships, the Geelong Classic.
It was a case of déjà vu for the Grump Mongrel entry of Peter Jack, when the Supercat Outboard Lite crashed in a repeat of last year’s race.
Over 15 powerboats battled for Class honours in four classes of competition, in the two- race set up.
Race One
Defending champions, Tom Barry Cotter and Pal Virik Nilsen in Mustang proved they were still in contention for the Championship title, finishing first in the 30 minute Race One and gaining the 475 points.
ACME’s Andrew and Chris Searle’s second place finish earned the team a nail bitting 50 point lead in the overall Championship points.
The Maritimo entry of Ross Willaton and Peter McGrath missed a turning point early on in the race, losing crucial time before mechanical problems on lap six forced them to retire.
The Qatar 96 International entry of World Champion throttle man Steve Curtis and Ali Al-Neama put in a solid effort to finish third.
In the Supercat Lite 1050hp, Mike Beil and Steve Jellick took race honours for Global Racing, while The Good Guys entry of young guns Brendan and Christopher Frier failed to complete a single lap after suffering mechanical difficulties in the opening minutes of race one.
SUV Dodge Ram strengthened their lead in the overall points tally, winning from Saracen by just over 20 seconds in the Supercat Outboard Class.
FGI continued to impress in the Supercat Outboard Lite Class and remained on pace for race one, over Berwicks and Stealth respectively.
Race Two
Race two was stopped at the 36 minute mark under dramatic circumstances when Peter Jack’s and Michael Ethell’s Grumpy Mongrel crashed, ejecting both driver and pilot into the water, before rolling several times landing right way up.
Emergency crews were immediately dispatched and the circuit cleared as the two were retrieved from the Bay requiring medical attention.
Tom Barry-Cotter and Pal Virik Nilsen again powered home in Mustang, for their second race win of the day, ahead of eight time world champion Steve Curtis and Ali Al-Neama in Qatar 96. The win moves Mustang into second place overall after Maritmo recorded a ‘did not start’ following their dramas in Race One.
A third place finish has extended the lead of ACME Racing in the Championship.
In the Supercat Lite Class, the Good Guys crew worked during the break to be race ready, challenging the Global Racing team for much of the race, but Global proved to fast.
Saracen was plagued with troubles throughout the shortened race, the SUV Dodge Ram entry making it two from two.
FGI held off a challenge from Berwicks to claim the round win for the Supercat Outboard Lite.
Often described as “Formula One on Water,” the final and deciding round of the 2010 Australian Offshore Superboat Championship will be held at Sandringham next weekend November 20- 21.
Russell Embleton, Race Director, Australian Offshore Superboat Championship
“Once again, the Geelong Venue proved itself to be Victoria’s home of offshore powerboat racing, the weather held off after a miserable day yesterday and the local community really showed their support in big numbers”
“The incident involving Grumpy Mongrel was unfortunate, but when you are dealing with these powerful crafts at high speeds, there is always a potential for accidents to happen. We have stringent safety procedures put in place and the best care was actioned immediately and both driver and pilot are going to be okay.”
CLASS WINNERS – GEELONG CLASSIC RACE ONE
Class One T. Barry Cotter/ P. Virik Nilsen MUSTANG
SuperCat Lite M.Beil/ S. Jellick GLOBAL RACING
Supercat Outboard C. Davis/ B. Luhrmann SUV DODGE RAM
Supercat Outboard Lite M. Walker/ G. Smith F.G.I
CLASS WINNERS – GEELONG CLASSIC RACE TWO
Class One T. Barry Cotter/ P. Virik Nilsen MUSTANG
SuperCat Lite M.Beil/ S. Jellick GLOBAL RACING
Supercat Outboard C. Davis/ B. Luhrmann SUV DODGE RAM
Supercat Outboard Lite M. Walker/ G. Smith F.G.I
CURRENT CHAMPIONSHIPS STANDING – CLASS ONE
ACME RACING
MUSTANG
MARTIMO
QATAR 96
TROJAN STEEL
The Offshore Superboat Championship wish to thank The City of Greater Geelong for their assistance in conducting this event and FGI (Fiber Glass International) for their series support.
For Further Information:
Vicky De George
Media Relations – Australian Offshore Superboat Championship
T: (03) 9226 6666
M: 0405 151 485
E: vicky@mediacomservices.com.au
All articles and pictures in PowerboatPro´s news section courtesy of AOPC and Superboat Australia
