Event organiser Chris Lankshear said the first boats arrived in Gisborne yesterday, with the rest due today.
“In the Superboat 1000 class, reigning NZ1 champions Outboard Pro will run uncontested, but the Superboat 600 entries of Espresso Engineers and Rainbow Haulage will be pushing hard for overall championship points,” he said.
Doric NZ joins the Superboat 400 class this year. It ran a few seasons ago as Refurb Group.
“On the throttles is Jason Jackman, who previously raced with Scott Lewis in Hijinx,” Lankshear said.
“He teams up with his 17-year-old son Taylor, while Charlie Lewis — six weeks before his 16th birthday — joins his dad in Hijinx Racing.
“We’re hoping they will be joined for a couple of races by BC Racing, as a day entry.”
In the Sports Modified 80mph Class, Brad Dibble joins in his 30ft monohull Superstitious, running a 525hp Mercruiser.
“It’s also great to see Pist n Broke, and the boat previously known as Race for Life, now running under Hidromek Branding, back for the season,” Lankshear said.
“The Bonbon Factory Bat Boat also features another father-and-son team, Josh and Callum Edlin.”
Nakita joins the Sports Modified 70mph Class after running as a day entry for the past two seasons, and Chris Powell, previously racing with his dad Glen in Equalizer, will now be up against him in Hypersonic.
“Not to be outdone by the boys, Molly Lankshear is back with me, running the Wildchild Bat Boat,” Lankshear said.
He said the best viewing would be along the foreshore between Waikanae and Midway Surf Life Saving Club.
“We encourage anyone interested to come down to the pits and see the boats, and talk to the race crew,” Lankshear said.
He wanted to thank all the sponsors, particularly those based in Gisborne, because without their help the event would not take place.
