The Thunder in the Bay offshore powerboats put on a show in Gisborne on Saturday, despite threatening weather, and competitors in all classes had a great day. Photo / Supplied
The Thunder in the Bay offshore powerboats put on a show in Gisborne on Saturday, despite threatening weather, and competitors in all classes had a great day. Photo / Supplied
The Thunder in the Bay round of the New Zealand Offshore Powerboat Championship produced some electric racing on Tūranganui-a-Kiwa/Poverty Bay on Saturday.
The event attracted a field of 10 boats across five classes.
Boats in the Thunder in the Bay offshore powerboats round attracted interest from keen fans prior to racing at the Total Fleet Solutions premises. Photo / Supplied
At one stage organisers considered shortening the programme to one race due to the weather forecast, butin the end two races were staged an hour earlier than originally scheduled.
Some incredibly close racing ensued in most of the classes.
It was watched onshore by several hundred spectators, many of them in their vehicles as the rain came down.
Rainbow Haulage was in a class of its own, winning both Sports 600 class races by healthy margins on Saturday in the gloomy conditions. Photo / Murray Robertson
Event organiser Molly-Kaye Lankshear said they had lot of positive feedback from the competitors.
“Even though the weather conditions were not ideal, all the racers had an amazing time. They told us they are looking forward to coming back next year.”
The crew on Triple Trouble did a bit of obstacle-clearing before competitors ripped into racing. Photo / NZ Offshore Powerboats Facebook page
One of the competitors said on social media: “Big thanks to the race day sponsors Total Fleet Solutions and the rest of the offshore crew for putting on the event.”
