Fans of full-throttle aquatic action will get their fill tomorrow when the big guns of New Zealand powerboat racing return to Tauranga Harbour after a four-year absence.
Originally scheduled for January as the national powerboat series' opening event, the Tauranga round was postponed due to the threat of debris from stricken container ship Rena.
Tauranga is now hosting the final of the eight-round series, with two contenders in the running for top-tier honours, the national Superboat championship.
At the helm of Fairview, reigning champ Warren Lewis looks set to defend his title with co-driver Andrew Koolen. Posting five wins and two runner-up finishes, the series frontrunners need only complete tomorrow's 100-mile (161km) race to close out the championship on Tony Coleman and Chris Hanley in Fujitsu Better Heat.
Taking race honours at the other two rounds and coming home second in the remaining five, Fujitsu Better Heat still has a shot at the 2012 title given the sport's variables and vagaries. Propeller choice must be well matched to sea conditions on the day, and engine problems are also a major factor with these finely tuned boats.
NZ offshore powerboats event co-ordinator Denis Moughan says coming to Tauranga is rewarding after January's postponement.
"Safety is always our main concern. Now everyone is looking forward to getting out on the water in Tauranga, it's a good venue and a great place to go. Laying claim to that NZ1 number means a lot to the Superboat competitors and it should be a fantastic day."
From the start/finish line off Sulphur Point, the looped course runs to a western marker off Fergusson Park, and from that hairpin heads east to a broad sweeper off the Mount Maunganui port and bending back to Sulphur Point.
Also hitting the water in earnest tomorrow will be the Superboat Lite, Super 60 and Sports 60 classes.
Racing starts at noon, with the Superboats and Superboat Lites completing a 100-mile (161km) race, while the other classes cover a 60-mile (96.5km) distance. The whole event is expected to take 60-75 minutes. The Superboats, powered by twin MerCruiser 525 V8s, are expected to hit speeds up to 210km/h.
Koolen stepped up to the Superboat class from his drive in the NZ Blokes Superlight division last season, while Hanley was in the winning combination with Lewis last year. This season Hanley re-established his partnership with Coleman, who returned to action after a two-year break.
The pairing in third-placed Superboat Schick Hydro, driven by Scott Lewis and Murray Tuffin, have put in a lot of work since the Auckland round on April 28, Moughan says, and will be set on closing the gap between themselves and the two pacesetters.
In the Superboat Lite class, Red Steel duo Tony Carson and Brook Faulkner have wrapped up their championship with seven wins and will be out for a perfect score.
Rivals Mike Gerbic and Alan Branch in Espresso Engineers know all about the hazards of racing, with a heavy landing at the Napier round on March 17 leaving a hole in the side of their craft.
Not to be deterred, Gerbic rolled out his Batboat and changed to the Super 60 class, which he won for the second year in a row with victory in Auckland on April 28.
The Sports 60 Restricted class is tipped to be a hard-fought battle, with Mike Smith in Konica Minolta having already bagged the title but likely to face strong challenges from longtime adversaries Mike Knight in Auckland District Collections and James Taylor in Total Oil, sitting second and third respectively.
The teams will be based in front of Tauranga Yacht & Powerboat Club, at Sulphur Point and this will be the best vantage spot to view the race. Boats will be on display at Tauranga Bridge Marina this afternoon from 2pm onwards.
additional information NZ Offshore Powerboat Racing