DRAMATIC BACKDROP: Auckland boat Fairview flies across the water with a logging boat in the background during the Thunder Out East round of the New Zealand Offshore Power Boat Racing series last February. Gisborne will host the first round of the series over two days on March 13 and 14.
The event will be called Taan's Thunder in the Bay, with sponsorship by Taan Suwanduang from Bronwyn Kay Realty. The organisers expect to see 15 entries in the championship series this year, with one hour-long race each day. The usual street parade through the Gisborne central business district will be held before racing on Day 1.