Smith looks for better NZ ranking

FEATHERSTON jetsprinter Garry Smith is looking to improve on this year's third placing in Group A when the 2006 national championship gets under way on January 22.
And he's looking forward to showing off his skills in the first meeting at the new Tauherenikau track when the final round is held here in late April or early May.
Smith has a completely new boat for this season. It's a White Pointer, the same as his previous boat, powered by a 640hp avgas-powered 400 cubic inch Chev motor.
It's still under development, but Smith debuted it in the World Championship held over two meetings ? Gisborne and Wanganui ? in November.
The results were mixed, 8th in Gisborne and 13th in Wanganui for 10th overall, but he's happy with the way things are going.
"We've had a lot of teething problems with the boat, because of it being brand new, but with two months until the New Zealand champs we should get it sorted by then," he said.
There's a lot involved in sorting a boat. The trim tabs have to be adjusted onshore to find the optimal setting and there's tuning needed on the jet unit ? the shape of the grille and the impellors.
"Once we get it right, then we need only minor changes from meeting to meeting," he said.
And so far he likes what he's seeing.
"It's a better boat than the old one ? the potential's there," he said.
Smith has Mark Shirtliff ? more at home on a jetski than a jetsprinter ? in the navigator's seat while regular navigator Dave Warburton is overseas. Warburton returns next year.
Shirtliff got a rough welcome to the sport when the boat rolled spectacularly at one of the world championship meetings. No damage was done to boat or crew.