Offshore Superboat championship 2009 grand finale Redcliffe

The 2009 Offshore Superboat Championship has been run and won. The Moreton Bay regional council turned on a spectacular day for the final round of 2009, with the thousands of spectators lining the foreshore, taking in the awesome display of horsepower and talent.

Supercat outboard lite class saw a return of the Hogs breath racing craft in full flight. After a season of teething problems the two Pauls appeared to have finally beaten the gremlins only to have them return only 2 laps from home letting Team Tiger (Mick Walker & Gary Smith) not only walked away with the win but also received the coveted title of National Champions in their class. Team Berwicks (Graham Fraser & Ian Harris) were never far of their heels though and is certainly going to make for sensational 2010 racing season.

Team Tiger, Supercat Outboard Lite (400hp)

Shaken not stirred (Brian Dale & Brooke Ullrich) are continuing in the development of their boat and improve with every outing. Kwozzy (Greg Collins & Karl Wall) also look to have improved the boats performance and will no doubt star in this ever-competitive class.

Supercat Outboard class was also a hard fought event with Dodge Ram (Mat Humphreys & Simon Isherwood) being crowned the new Champions, but were denied a race victory with the hard charging Blade racing (Cameron Davis & Brett Luhrmann) catching them in the final stages of the race after a great battle to edge out the new champs and claim top step of the podium for the second round in a row.

SUV Dodge Ram, Supercat Outboard (600hp)

Saracen (Antony DeFina & Nigel Craven) continues to carry its hoodoo at the Redcliffe track after suffering a DNF by breaking a steering ram in only the second lap. Kwozzy 2 (Jim Harris & Adam Nicolls) pulled the boat out of the race at the eleventh hour due to mechanical problems.

Class 1 truly is a spectacle and Redcliffe proved no different. The first turn of the race was absolutely spectacular with that many boats arguing over so little water. Simrad (Tom Barry-Cotter & Peter McGrath) won that first turn and were never headed after that. But not to have it all their own way the crew from impact Steel (Col Craven & Steve Jellick) put in one of their best performances of the year but unfortunately retired after an engine failure.

Maritimo, Class 1

The return of Bill Barry Cotter to the throttles in Maritimo 11 proved Bill hasn’t lost his touch.

Team 3 finishing second (Steve Nuggent & Craig Archer); a spectacular battle took place in the pack with Global Racing and The Good Guys putting on a great display of determined driving. The Good Guys (Brendan & Chris Frier) managed to hang on and finished in third.

Acme Racing Managed a great race to get fourth after missing the start.

Mazlin Electrical from Townsville, only a new comer to class one also proved it has the potential to become a force, though the boat is still suffering some minor set up problems.

Congratulations to the 2009 Offshore Superboat Champions

Class 1, Maritimo, Tom Barry-Cotter, Pal Virik Nilsen & Ross Willaton

Supercat Outboard (600hp), SUV Dodge Ram, Mat Humphrey & Simon Isherwood

Supercat Outboard Lite (400hp) Team Tiger, Mick Walker & Gary Smith