The opening round of the APBA National championship in the USA had mixed results for the Kiwi and Aussie teams
In Class 1 there were five countries represented, including Australian entry, 222 Offshore Australia.
The 43-foot Victory, 222 Offshore Australia, which is sponsored by the Australian Royal Navy, had Aussie driver Darren Nicholson and Italian throttleman Giovani Carpitella in the cockpit jumped out to a commanding lead from the start over throttleman Steve Curtis and driver Lilly in a Victory hull sponsored by Huski Chocolate.
The raced appeared to be 222 Offshore Australia’s to lose when the team slowed and pulled into the middle of the course with a bad transmission. Curtis and Lilly had a plan to lay in wait and then make a charge, but they didn’t have to so they went into cruise control and took the checkered flag.
Four of the five boats are powered by turbocharged Mercury Racing 1100 engines while owner/driver Jeff Stevenson and throttleman Stancombe ran the 42-foot MTI, JBS Racing, which is powered by naturally aspirated V16 engines with Mercury Racing Dry Sump Six drives.
Kiwi Grant Valder, driving his 40 MTI, Pro Floors was one of six starters in Superboat. Wayne and throttleman Grant Bruggemann drew lane two in their 40-foot MTI, Pro Floors Racing.
When the start flag flew, Billy Moore and Chris Grant in a 388 Skater, Graydel, took the lead with M CON and Pro Floors Racing holding down third. While the best competition of the day was arguably the battle between WHM and Team 10 until the former dropped out with an engine problem, Graydel, extending its lead every lap until the team earned the win. M CON was second with Pro Floors finishing a close third for a podium finish.
Next round of the championship is at the Lake of the Ozarks, June 4.
