H2O-Full Throttle
Pwc'er
Auckland, New Zealand
Posts: 66
APPD 0.01
Post Rank: 166
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Posted: Dec. 30 2007,11:39 am |
Post # 17 |
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The navigator in the boats memorises the course from the map they are given at the start of the day and they use hand signals to guide the driver around the course. At the speeds these boats go, Superboats are averaging about 85mph around the course, a GPS wouldnt keep up. They dont take the map with them as imagine trying to read a map going around the course that quick.
And yes there are plenty of times that teams miss turns etc, thats all part of the sport.
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A BLINDING SUCCESS ON DEBUT
A new vision for kiwi jetsprinting was announced earlier this year by H20 Full Throttle CEO Neville Dawson. While in Detroit watching the Unlimited Hydroplanes a discussion with Florida based John Haggin, a powerboat racing visionary and owner of the AMF Offshore powerboat racing team lead to the development of the AMF / H20 Full Throttle Jetsprinting team. Following the AMF powerboat racing team’s theme all three hulls are painted in bright fluorescent chartreuse enhanced with a fleck that sparkles. Leading the team in the Superboat Class is number 113 - Bryan Smith a Logging Contractor from Taupo. Peter Briant from Gisborne returns to the sport to compete in the restricted Group A class in boat. A double crewed NZ Lites boat will be driven by two rookies from Christchurch. Mike Harris (23) a jetboat engineer and Website company owner/Jetsprint promoter Clark Marshall (23A).
A successful debut at the opening round of the 2008 Parker Enzed New Zealand Jetsprint Championships was witnessed by a crowd of 5000. It was up to Clark Marshall and navigator Lydia Duport racing in the Jetpro NZ Lites Development class to introduce the crowd to the team colour scheme that’s as bright as a yellow road sign. Only a few moments later it was out on the track again, this time Mike Harris was at the wheel and Kerry Hume navigating. An exciting combination as their 5.7 LS1 all alloy V8 engine is being evaluated as a development motor for the sport to see if an out of the crate package is comparable to the existing restricted engine rules in the Jetpro NZ Lites Development Class
12 teams including seven rookie combinations make up the Jetpro NZ Lites Development Class. Setting the early pace was Graeme Jones, a rookie from last season. Modifications over the off season saw some much needed horsepower and a faster pace. The tussle at the top continued throughout qualifying as Marshall, Harris, Jones, Dave Stone, Bill Swan, Don Wood and another rookie Denis Crene all within the top four during the five qualifying rounds. The top 16 elimination saw both AMF drivers in the top four positions with Harris leading by 0.59 seconds over Marshall sitting at number four. Unfortunately, it was not to be their day as Marshall took no further part as part of the development package is only one of the team will go through to the eliminations. Harris was setting a quick pace only to miss a turn on the last corner of the run and was promptly eliminated when he was unable to correct. 2007 NZ Lites Runner-up Dave Stone took the chequered flag with a time of 62 seconds over Jones with 62.70.
Marshall and Harris were thrilled with how the boat performed. Navigating for Marshall, Duport had never seen the boat until the day before and was ecstatic that both driver and navigator mastered the rotation by the second qualifying run. Both combinations gained much needed track time and will consolidate their driver/navigator roles in round two
16 boats lined up to compete in the Chemz New Zealand Group A class. Although five more competitors had entered all were unable to compete due to engine problems. Returning to the sport was 2005 Superboat World Champion Peter Briant and his navigator Robyn Briant as part of the AMF / H20 Full Throttle team. Beginning again they same way he finished in the World Series Peter Briant set the pace after the first qualifier. It wasn’t long before brother Rex Briant alongside Simon Campbell, Bevin Muir, Baden Gray, Shane Wood, Ray Ferguson and 2007 NZ Lites Champion Brian Kelly were also chasing a podium spot.
Andrew Guthrie was the first to entertain the crowd heading straight for the fence when his new Sprintec hull responded faster than he expected. No damage done and he was back to secure a top eight spot. AMF / H20 Full Throttle colours also entertained the crowd when unexpectedly Peter Briant went the wrong way twice during the qualifying rounds.
It was scary stuff for Shane Wood and navigator Lisa McGibbon when an engine failure left them no steering and blasting straight ahead towards the wire safety fence, screaming to a halt with the nose poking through the wire ropes minus the visor from Shane’s helmet which was ripped off in the process. No injuries to the crew but lots of scratches to the immaculately presented boat. The same high standard of presentation was displayed by many teams and the bright colours of the hull, combined with new overalls and stilo helmets also made the AMF / H20 Full Throttle team stand out to the crowd.
Ferguson headed out first in the top four, followed by Peter Briant, Simon Campbell and Rex Briant. A trend was occurring as once again it was a navigational error that saw the AMF / H20 Full Throttle team eliminated and settling for fourth place. Although they managed to correct the rotation the time was against them and navigator Robyn was at a loss to explain why as navigational errors have never occurred in all their years of jetsprinting. That left the familiar combination of Rex Briant and Campbell battling it out in the finals. 2007 Champion Rex taking out the first round of the Chemz Group A by 0.21 seconds with a time of 55.31.
Beaurepaires Superboats are always a crowed pleaser and the AMF / H20 Full Throttle entry of Bryan Smith and navigator Brent Jellyman was unexpectedly entered as a double driven boat. With Daryl Hutton and navigator Jonny Schick aboard the AMF / H20 Full Throttle Stinger was thrashed around the corners. As he bounced along several sets of tyres he was dangerously close to ending up on the bank and was lucky to make the hairpin in the top four run. Hutton’s usual Big Chief failed to fire at the start of the day and Smith offered a lifeline to Hutton by giving him the opportunity to test his new Stinger Hull. Test it he did with Smith waiting on the ramp for his turn to take to the water. In a contrasting style, Smith expertly guided the 1100 horsepower Chev Donovan around the fast paced rotation and each round saw the chartruse coloured Superboat getting faster and faster. Smith and Jellyman secured a dream win on debut with a time of 54.14.
With an investment of a new timing system and the day running so smoothly the opportunity of an extra qualifying round allowed Smith to try several combinations of blades and according to Smith at least one of which needs not to be tried again! A delighted Smith was quick to commend Duncan Wilson on his outstanding battle for second place, not far behind Smith with at time of 54.77. Smith also thanked the Shelter View Promotions team, his crew, the spectators, fellow competitors, the RSQKRU safety team and of course his AMF / H20 Full Throttle sponsors. All of the above are essential components in the sport of Jetsprinting. Haggin was full of compliments for the team when he received news of the results. “These are insane boats and we are looking forward to taking them to a wider audience around the world and I couldn’t have asked for a better startâ€, commented Haggin.
All three teams head to a another twilight meeting at Gisborne’s Electrinet Thunderpark on Saturday 26 January for Round two of the 2008 Parker Enzed NZ Jetsprinting Championships.
For more information:
H2O Full Throttle - www.h2ofullthrottle.com
AMF Offshore Racing - www.amfoffshoreracing.com
Jetpro - www.jetpro.co.nz
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11-28-2024 Three Word Post.....The Next Generation.... (Rep.#19,436) from: GoFastRacer
 I skimmed through the reading, but did not catch were they were. I wish they showed them more on TV. Along with the swamp buggy races from Florida.
But that would be fun to watch. 
way to pick a winner 
Amazing racing...how they know which turn to take... 
I'd get lost, for sure... 
