Powerboats: Champion ready to claim fifth offshore powerboat title

Auckland merchant banker Richard Shores could become the first five-time winner of the New Zealand offshore powerboat championships today if he can finish first or second in the last race of the series around Tauranga Harbour.

Shores has 1900 points despite consecutive did-not-starts at the last two rounds in Thames and Whitianga. He is 225 points clear of the only boat that can stop him, Jesse James. First place earns 400 points.

Shores has 29 career wins and won the national title between 2000 and 2004.

Graeme Horne in EIT Mover won four titles between 1982 and 1985 and Peter Turner in Sleepyhead won in 1992 and 1994, 1995 and 1996.

Turner has rejoined the action this season and Shores said his presence had given him some impetus to go for the fifth title.

He admitted he'd be nervous at the start after engine problems stopped Placemakers from starting the last two races. An oil pump problem became apparent before the start at Whitianga, warning lights showed and he shut down the engines and avoided any serious problems.

But at Thames, the pump blew a seal and the warning light bulb also blew, and Shores continued driving until the motor blew. A 5c seal and a 20c bulb cost "several thousand" in engine repairs.

The 160km race starts off Tauranga's Yacht and Powerboat Club at 11am.