Tough at the top for superboats

"Never count your chickens 'til they're hatched" could be the catch phrase for a handful of competitors at round seven of the Rayglass New Zealand Offshore Powerboats, at Marsden Cove.
Several of the teams that had looked secure at the top of the table ran into problems and allowed those chasing at their heels to pick up valuable points during Saturday's racing along the One Tree Point coast.
In the Superboats 100-mile race, the leader, Auckland boat Doosan, who was leading until lap three, ran into difficulty with their starboard engine when it shut down, and though restarted proved unreliable for the rest of the race. This lost them valuable time around the course, finishing a lap behind the winners Team Three. The Australians had a fantastic race and showed their determination in the flat conditions, after previously excelling in the mighty
swells of Napier. With Pete "Mudguard" McGrath over from Australia on throttles, the boat flew around the course, and though A1 Homes was clocking similar lap times as the leader they were unable to make up the distance between them and came in at second place. Fairview, the other major challenger for this class driven by Warren Lewis and Ted Taitini was absent from this race. ProFloors, driven by Wayne Valder and Richard Shores roared round
the course with their distinctive sound, finishing fourth.
The AB Marine Formula Hondas also had a shake up, with Rayglass leading for most of the race but withdrawing after broaching badly. This left leaders points up for grabs and Honda Marine took full advantage of this to lead the race and consequently the series for the season at this point. Auckland District Collections came in at second at Marsden Cove and Mothers Wax leapt ahead around the course and in the points to come in third.
The team in NZ Blokes finished ahead once again in the Superboat Lites and are looking at a season win in Auckland. Red Steel came second at Marsden Cove, with Doosan 2 third after Rayglass pulled out of the race with gearbox issues.
Konica Minolta was back in the racing for the Super 60-mile class after sinking in Wellington and missing the racing at Whitianga. Greg Brinck and Eldon Archer were on form, and though coming in ahead of Espresso Engineers, are unable to challenge them for the lead overall. Mike Gerbic and Dave Vazey were ecstatic to get the points  to confirm their position at top of the table.
 One race remains in the Rayglass New Zealand Offshore Powerboat season,  in Auckland on May 8, where the class winners will be decided for 2010.