What do you get when you add ludicrous horsepower to a Super 60 racing hull? An unforgettable day out, says Eric Thompson
I've been fortunate enough to have been thrown around various New Zealand racecar circuits by a variety of drivers in a variety of cars. I've had my head jammed up against a roll bar in an Australian V8 Supercar because of the g-force, nearly been rolled in a WRC rally car and had my internal organs rearranged under braking in a TRS wings and slicks car.
I also raced superbikes back in the day, so I've had my fair share of adrenaline fixes. But I have never had the fortune, or misfortune (I haven't decided yet), of being fired around an inner-city harbour at close to 125km/h in something resembling a paper dart on steroids.
In a moment of bravado I accepted an invitation to go for a "spin" - his words, not mine - in Greg Brinck's Super 60 offshore racing powerboat. What on earth could be wrong with going out on Waitemata Harbour in a glorified ski boat? Or so I thought.
As we pottered out from the Royal Akarana Yacht Club, I should have guessed all was not as it should be. Brinck told me the handles on either side of the seat were for holding on to and there are no seat belts, because if we go over we get thrown out of the boat to avoid being trapped underneath it. Charming.
Brinck went on to explain that, "being out there on one of Mother Nature's playgrounds, it's you against the elements. The difference between yacht people and us, is that we've got nearly 300 horsepower to play with. It's under my right foot so there's some sort of control but it's all about just how hard can you push it."
,3,60AS WE left the relative safety of the marina and headed out into the harbour itself, Brinck planted his foot on the accelerator and the boat took off like a scalded cat. Up to that point I had been totally unaware a 285bhp outboard motor could shove quite a large boat along at that speed, that quickly.
I can now say with some authority, I know what a moving part in pneumatic drill must feel like. If you think being thrown around in a V8 supercar is dancing with the devil - try it in three dimensions.
I had no idea boats could fly, but if fish can, why not an offshore power boat? The guy in the kayak we passed with just the prop in the water must have thought his maker had come calling. I don't know what it is about going flat-tack on water, but 120km/h seems like about 240km/h.
I still have no idea how Brinck could see where he was going as the ride is bone-jarringly vicious. Brinck's co-driver, Eldon Archer, told me he used to be 6'3" (1.9m) tall but is now about 5'8". By the time my eyeballs had stopped pinging around like ball bearings in a paint tin, we were way down the harbour, miles from where we had started. It's easy to see why there are hardly any gauges or knobs to fiddle with on the dash, as everyone's hanging on for dear
life - including the driver.
The nearest experience would be racing a motorcycle, only because you're also going fast with your butt cheeks swinging in the breeze with only a handlebar to hold on to.
All of a sudden Brinck spun the wheel and turned on a dime to head back to the marina, about half the time in the air. I suppose it saves wear and tear on the hull paint job.
It wasn't long before we were back at the marina and my heart rate rapidly returned to some semblance of normality. I realised I could stop shouting and told Brinck that that little blast in his Konica Minolta boat was definitely in my top three most scary/exhilarating rides ever.
The NZ Offshore Championship is an eight-race series held throughout the North Island from January until May. Venues for 2009 include Taupo, Gulf Harbour, Maraetai, Wellington, Whangarei, Napier, Whitianga and Auckland City, and have been known to draw crowds of over 15,000 people.
On race day there are two events. The Superboat and Superboat Lites competing for the 100-mile title, while those in the Super 60, Sports 60, Sports Classic and Formula Honda Classes compete in the 60-mile event.
The 100-mile boats are specially designed raceboats up to 11m in length, fitted with advanced safety features, have engines developing up to 1200hp and are capable of speeds up to 190km/h. Boats in the 60-mile event are more typical of your normal ski and trailer boat and often double as the family ski and pleasure boat during non-race weekends.
One of the positives of offshore powerboat racing is the accessibility of the drivers, co-drivers and the boats themselves. These water rockets can be found on display on Friday night, and before and after the race on Saturday. Race day is a friendly family environment, with many of the boats and crew running hospitality tents and providing a great atmosphere to watch the racing. Other race day action varies from event to event, but often includes food and
drink vendors, children's rides and entertainment, aeronautical displays, wildcat and thundercat racing and giveaways.
The drivers and crews spend race day morning preparing the boats and are happy to answer any questions from spectators. Laps are run close to the shore for added spectator appeal - and the best part about it is it's free.
Round three of the New Zealand Offshore Powerboat championship hits the water off Wellington on Saturday, March 21.
Two races start at midday with a 100-mile race contested by the Superboat and Superboat lite classes. The Super 60, Classic, Sports 60 restricted, Sports 60 and popular formula Honda competitors contest the 60-mile race. Between 25 and 30 boats are expected and I would strongly suggest you check the racing out.
