Red Steel 100: Auckland racers set to tangle off Napier

CHAMPIONSHIP LEADERS: Warren Lewis, crew chief John McLean and Andrew Koolen will attempt to retain their Superboat class lead in today's offshore powerboat race off Napier. PHOTO/PAUL TAYLOR

Offshore Powerboats

Aucklander Andrew Koolen reckons he is the "calming influence" in the Fairview Windows and Doors offshore powerboat racing team.

"Warren is a keen man and likes to go hard so we complement one another and work well together," Koolen said referring to fellow Jafa, boat owner and throttleman Warren Lewis.

It's hard to dispute Koolen's view. The pair are leading the Superboat class after four of seven rounds in the national series and will start as favourites for today's fifth round, the Red Steel 100 off Napier.

Lewis and Koolen are in their first season back in the series after a two-year spell. Lewis wanted a break and during this time Koolen had one drive for another Kiwi team and one for an Aussie outfit across the Tasman.

This is their third season racing together. During the first they won the Napier round on the way to capturing the 1NZ title.

"We like Napier because our boat suits rough and calm water and you can get a combination of both here," Koolen said shortly after their arrival in the Bay yesterday.

"Dealing with the conditions is the key to doing well in Napier. It can be quite rough and it is a fast race because you go along the swell rather than through it for most of the event,' he explained.

"There's a high risk involved because of the unpredictable water," Koolen added.

The winners of the last round in the series off Whitianga on March 28, Lewis and Koolen, will be among 18 crews in action today. Their toughest competition in the Superboat class is likely to come from last year's winners of the Napier round, Wayne Valder and Chris Hanley, who have experienced gimbal bearing failure in the last two rounds.

A fleet of three boats with strong Napier connections in the Sports 150 class will attract plenty of interest from spectators. Red Steel will be crewed by the Napier team of two-time national drivers champion Tony Carson and daughter Charlotte.

The Auckland-based D & H Steel team will include Shara and Jamie Carson, family members of Tony's brother and multiple national title teams member Wayne Carson. Former Napier Boys' High School student Nick Campbell is a member of the class-leading Wellington team New Zealand Home Loans.

Classic class winners from the Whitianga round, Gavin McGrath, Haaka Le Seuer and Emma Wellwood from Taupo in Gull Force 10 will start as favourites again today. Expect the Total Home Developments crew of Terry and Shane Fletcher and Shannon Martin and Paul Greenfield and the Outlaw C44 crew of Grant and Sarah Valder, Don Brock, Paul Carter and Darien Walker to feature among the podium placegetters in this class.

Whangarei husband and wife pair Haydon and Delia Spiers will be out to repeat their Whitianga win in the Sports 300 class. Other classes in action will be the Superboat Lites and Sports 200.

The race begins at 1pm and is expected to last an hour. There will be restrictions on public use of the sea off Westshore and Perfume Point during the event.