Returning to crash scene

NOT-SO-HAPPY MEMORIES: Gisborne jetsprinters Blake Briant and Kate Hoogerbrug will never forget the last time they raced at Baypark and neither will those watching. The couple experienced one of the most spectacular crashes in the history of this fine-line, high-octane motor sport during the world championships in January of 2016. Their boat barrel-rolled then went end over end multiple times in a fiery end to their title hopes. They were extremely lucky to escape with minor injuries — a testament to the safety structure of these boats. Hoogerbrug says the crash is in the back of their minds heading into the ENZED Stadium Cup — a one-off event before the resumption of the New Zealand championships — but they have put it behind them and are fully focused on their game plan. Pictures supplied

GISBORNE superboat driver Blake Briant and his navigator Kate Hoogerbrug are returning “with a positive approach” to the scene of a spectacular crash that put them both in Tauranga Hospital two years ago.

Tomorrow they will compete in the ENZED Stadium Cup.

On January 29, 2016, Briant and Hoogerbrug recorded the fastest time in the second round of qualifying.

However, in Round 3 their boat barrel-rolled, then tumbled end over end before coming to rest right way up.

The pair walked away from the carnage and were taken to hospital “with lots of bruising and bruised egos”.

Hoogerbrug was kept in overnight.

“It is at the back of our minds but we’re taking a positive approach going into this weekend,” Hoogerbrug said.

“It’s not just our first time back on the track, it’s the first time a race has been held there since those world champs . . . but not because of the accident.

“One of the things we have learned is not to go hard-out from the start of the event.

“We’re more focused on building into our top speed.”

Peter Caughey has seven world jetsprint titles and 11 New Zealand titles to his name — with all but three of that total in the top-billing superboat class.

But one crown has eluded him — the ENZED Stadium Cup — and Briant and Hoogerbrug are among the 30 competitors trying to keep Caughey from getting his hands on that elusive trophy at Tauranga tomorrow.

The Baypark invitation event is not part of the New Zealand championship calendar but Hoogerbrug said they were “going there to win”.

“It’s a stand-alone event, which starts at 3pm and doesn’t finish until 10pm. For sure we want to win, and we’re going there to win.”

Hoogerbrug said the timing of the event was not a problem.

“It will be run under lights and we’ve raced the race rotation that was used in past events, which suits us.”

Also in the Gisborne duo’s favour is the water table being high.

“It means organisers have not had to bring too much water in to the track, which is good, with Tauranga having water restrictions at this time of the year.

“The track is also a driver’s track, which suits us, but as usual it’s all about racing on the day and how the boat performs.”

Briant and Hoogerbrug are third in the national championship after two rounds.

They finished fourth overall in Round 1 but improved to third after Round 2, despite mechanical problems.

“We were running second for most of the day but took too much water and the spark from the ignition got wet, which meant we lost power,” Hoogerbrug said.

“We’ve done a lot of testing between then and now and are looking forward to racing this weekend.”

Gisborne navigator and Hamilton-based driver Sam Newdick will not be competing tomorrow.

Newdick is sitting out this event while his engine gets “some TLC” ready for the next championship round.