Jetsprints: Sprinters begin their long voyage

The boat of 2012 Jetsprint world champion Leighton Minnell is loaded into the shipping container to begin its 35-day journey to the United States for the 2014 World Series, starting in August. Photo/Stuart Munro

They all watched as their beloved craft were packed away in shipping containers, knowing the next time they see daylight will be on Pacific Northwest time.

The North Island-based jetsprinters, including Wanganui's Richard Murray, Rob Coley and expat Leighton Minnell, loaded their boats yesterday for the 35-day ocean voyage to Portland, United States, for the 2014 World Series, which begins in Missouri on August 16.

It will be a massive trip for the machines, with their owners crossing fingers for good weather, as the second round of the World Series is back in Portland on August 31, meaning a lengthy cross-country trek.

"There's two of us going to meet them there [in Portland]. Then they get escorted to Missouri on trucks," said Coley yesterday.

"Where's that hick town we're going to? Poplar Bluff - is where the first track is."

Defending world superboat champion Leighton Minnell, now based in Taranaki, is all too aware of the logistics of the journey.

"They're in for a long haul. We're trying to send them a little bit early because the boats are going to Portland.

"We just hope the Rena 3 is not running us over there," Minnell joked.

"There's 3000 [road] miles between the two events. They'll all go on one truck - it will look pretty impressive when it's going."

While finishing well behind former world champion Peter Caughey of Canterbury in this year's national series, using his old jetboat, Minnell has now completed work on a new twin turbo engine.

It is similar to the one used by Australian Phonsy Mullen, who came third behind Caughey and Hastings driver Graeme Hill.

Hill and Thames racer Bevin Muir also loaded their boats up in Wanganui yesterday, while Murray has got his Ford-powered Mean Machine back up to scratch after the smash in the final round of the national series in April.

Competing against Australians, Canadians and the local American crews, Minnell said the New Zealanders will be helping each other in the States.

"We're Team New Zealand. Even though we're all going over to chase the championship, we go as a team."

Round 1 of the World Series is at Brick's Off Road Park in Missouri, with Round 2 is at the Global Jetsprint Track in Oregon two weeks later.