NZ Offshore Powerboats Head to Gisborne for "Thunder on the Sea"

Round Two of the Rayglass New Zealand Offshore Powerboats takes place on Saturday 5th February on the challenging ocean swells that sweep in from the Pacific toward the Gisborne coast. This venue always provides plenty of excitement with big waves that build as the ocean pushes close to shore providing an unpredictable battleground for the best of New Zealand's Offshore Powerboats and their crews.

As the second race in the 2011 series, teams have had a chance to see what the opposition has to offer for the new season, and make any adjustments necessary after the first race held two weeks ago in Taupo. The sea state plays a major part in the tactics employed on the day and this Saturday will provide a very different set of conditions to those offered by the fresh water of Taupo's lake With weather for the region predicted to be fine with a north westerly wind of 7 knots and up to one metre swells, the race should be fast and furious with the larger waves to be found at the far end of the course where the boats run close to shore at Mark C, and the shoreline wave height is predicted to be up to 1.4 metres in height.

A map of the race course

Similar conditions last year provided some exciting viewing, but racing was stopped after only eight laps of the twelve lap race were completed when Rayglass, a Superboat Lite, flipped at the 'C' mark and the father and daughter crew of Grant and Kelly Smith had to rescued by the team from Marine Paramedical Services, with a diver jumping from one of the supporting helicopters to ensure the crew were safe.

The Superboat Rayglass flipped at Gisborne during last years race.

Seven classes of powerboat take part in the race with the Superboats, and Superboat Lites completing a 100 mile race, and the other five classes competing over 60 miles.

After Race One at Taupo the Superboats are led by 'Fairview' driven by Warren Lewis and Chris Hanley. This team were slow to make much impact at Taupo, using the first three laps to find their feet before causing a storm by reeling in their opposition in an exciting battle that saw them gain the lead with three laps to go, taking a serious stance as potential leaders for the season. This week will see the crews of the three other superboats, including 'Doosan' the series winner from 2011, working hard to make their mark on the series and establish their place at the top of the points table.

'Fairview' and 'Doosan' set to repeat the battle for victory at Gisborne.

In the Superboat Lites 'NZ Blokes' set a cracking pace at Taupo, leading from the start. Their biggest challenge at Gisborne comes from the east coasters, Tony Carson and Brooke Faulkner of 'Red Steel' who are more familiar with the sea conditions along this coastline.

The Classics look to be dominated this year by 'Konica Minolta' who appeared to run a leisurely race at Taupo while still winning by a convincing margin from the Scarab 'Gull Force 10', and 'Topaz' who had problems with their engine and had to retire during the first lap.

New boats in both the Super 60 and Sports Restricted classes had a definite impact in their first race by taking the first win of the series. In the Super 60 'Back2Bay6', one of two Ocke Mannerfelt Batboats in this class, won against the 2011 title holders 'Espresso Engineers', while in the Sports Restricted, 2010 Honda Champion Mike Knight raced 'Auckland District Collections' to victory against Jono Hanley in 'Marineworkz'. In both cases the boat that came second will be determined to put these newcomers in their place, so should provide some close and aggressive racing.

'Auckland District Collections' won their first race in the Sports Restricted Class at Taupo.

Having raced against eachother for a season there is little between the smaller twin hulls of 'Thin Ice' and 'Go Otaki Go' and the two boats battle hard in the Sports 60 class. They are hard to miss with their distinctive engine tone and ' Go Otaki Go' in particular always stands out in her lime green hull.

The Honda Class is always a battleground with aggressive and at times spectacular racing as the 19 foot Sonics blast around the 60 mile course. With the first race of the season won by the experienced crew in 'Auckland District Collections' there are plenty of other drivers determined to make their mark on the points table, and racing will be intense as the boats negotiate the coastal course.

Once again this year there will be a parade of the powerboats and their crews through the main street of Gisborne. The teams take great pride in the presentation of both their boats and tow vehicles and the city of Gisborne is always supportive with a large turnout of families, keen to get a close up look at the race machines. The parade starts at 9.00 am and boats are then on display near the Esplanade, where members of the public can walk around the boats and talk to the crews.

The race can be viewed from the foreshore with excellent elevated viewing from Titirangi Domain. The race usually takes one hour and starts at 1.00pm.

The NZOPA would like to thank Tourism Eastland, Eastland Community Trust, Eastland Port, Steve McCafferty Trucking, Eastland Oils, Phil Law Panelbeating, White Pointer, Martins Hire Centre, Gisborne Honda and C R Taylor Ltd for their support in making the Gisborne Race possible.

They also acknowldge the ongoing support of the series sponsors Rayglass, AB Marine, Marine Paramedical Services and MarineWorkz.

More information and updated championship points table can be found on the New Zealand Offshore Powerboat Association website www.nzoffshore.co.nz.

ENDS

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