Festivities on hold for jetsprint boat racers

2012 Jetpro jet sprint championship: second round preview – Wanganui 27 December 2011.

Issued on behalf of Jetpro – promoters of the New Zealand jetsprinting championship series. www.jetpro.co.nz

For immediate release: 21 December 2011.

Festivities on hold for jetsprint boat racers

Hard on the heels of Christmas many of the competitors in the 2012 Jetpro Jetsprint championship will be putting their festivities on hold as they travel to Wanganui for Tuesday 27 December’s second of six events counting toward the overall title.

Held the day after the annual Cemetery Circuit motorbike race event in the river city, the jet sprint boating event is instead held on a permanent water course. Located eight kilometres inland toward Upokongaro adjacent to SH4, the aqua track of Shelterview Raceway has long been supported by action hungry spectators, enjoying the picnic and family style atmosphere amidst on-the-limit sprint boats.

Split in to three competition categories, each team of driver and navigator have a 25-turn course to memorise, competing against the clock in a quest to maximise their points haul toward the series title.

Traditionally the opening round of the season, this year, compounded by the world series being contested in New Zealand, the teams arrive with points on the board having contested the first round at Meremere earlier in the month.

Leading the Suzuki Superboat class in the former world title winning boat of Peter Caughey, Wanganui’s Leighton and Kellie Minnell had a perfect start to their maiden title defence, comfortably winning the Meremere round.
A solitary point behind on 29, Rob Coley and navigator Reece Townsend head rookies Steve Bron and Jared Fletcher for an all Wanganui based class podium.

Another Wanganui region favourite, Waitotara’s Duncan Wilson makes a late start to the series having sat out the opening round.

“The engine wasn’t ready,” explained Wilson. “So it was a last minute call to not compete at Meremere. As it is the engine is only now being run on the dyno and will be put in the boat over the weekend.

“I don’t think we will make up the ground to the others in the championship, so we’ll go out there for the fun and to prepare for the world championship in February.

Wilson says there are a few new bits on his boat he’ll be trying with the biggest being a brand new engine.

Defending Whitepointer Boats Group A champion Reg and Julie Smith from Taupo also lead their rivals after the opening round, one point ahead of Wanganui track owner Richard Murray and navigator Kesty Manning.
His best result to date; Murray says the distractions of running the coming event will be keeping his mind away from maintaining his placing.

“Previously I’ve had trouble getting time to even compete. On the day I’m being continually distracted making sure there is enough water in the track and things like the toilets flushing and working. So I’m a bit busy making sure everything is working correctly, as I’m the go-to guy when something needs attention,” says the Shelterview Raceway farm owner.

“I’m not bad with pressure, whether it’s all the years of contracting work I’m not sure. I just stay calm and concentrate on doing what you’re out there to do. Although it’s interesting to see how others go, how they crumble under pressure.”

Currently in third place, one point behind Murray, Hamilton’s Sam Newdick has the march on rivals Baden Gray (Auckland) and Bevin Muir (Thames).The top-six fastest times were less than a second apart at the end of the day, affirming the ferocity of competition.

Similarly split, the top-five times in the entry-level Jetpro Lites category were just on one second apart at the Meremere opener. Led by Whangamata’s Ray Thompson and navigator David Toms, they have one point on Whangarei’s Denis and Steve Crene. Third is Wanganui’s Paul Gaston and Stuart White with defending class champion Bevan Linklater currently fourth overall, four points behind.

The first of four qualifying runs stars at 9am stopping for lunch at around noon where the public get a chance to walk the pit area for 45 minutes.
Followed by the final qualifying run, the teams’ then enter the elimination heats. Starting with the top-12 it breaks to top-eight, top-five and the top-three deciding the round podium place getters.

Tickets can be purchased at the gate: $20 adult, $5 for children 5-12years and under 5 free. Being a farm location there is a no pet policy.
The Jetpro Jetsprint championship will have delayed television coverage repeated on the Sky TV network during 2012.

Leaders in the Whitepointer Boats Group A category, Taupo’s Reg and Julie Smith will travel to the Wanganui venue for Tuesday’s (27 December) second round of the Jetpro Jetsprint championship. Photo: Ian Thornton. http://www.jetpro.co.nz/media/r1/SmithFlag.JPG

Whangamata’s Ray Thompson will be under serious pressure from defending champion Bevan Linklater (Wanganui) to hold his one point advantage in the Jetpro Lites category as his team travels to Wanganui for the second round of the Jetpro Jetsprint championship being held on 27 December. Photo: Ian Thornton. http://www.jetpro.co.nz/media/r1/Thompson.JPG

2012 Jetpro Jetsprint championship points (after round one top-five)
Jetpro Lites Drivers
1,2NZ,Ray Thompson, Whangamata,30
2,20,Denis Crene,2,29, Whangarei,29
3,48,Paul Gaston,3,28, Wanganui,28
4,1NZ,Bevan Linklater,4,26, Wanganui,26
5,2NZa,Brett Thompson, Piopio,25

Whitepointer Boats Group A Drivers
1,1NZ,Reg Smith, Taupo,30
2,43,Richard Murray, Wanganui,29
3,50,Sam Newdick, Hamilton,28
4,3NZ,Bevin Muir, Thames,26
5,52,Blake Briant, Gisborne,25

Suzuki Superboat Drivers
1,NZ1,Leighton Minnell, Wanganui,30
2,111,Rob Coley, Wanganui,29
3,69,Steve Bron, Wanganui,28
4,113,Phil Wheelans, Wellington,26
5,121,Peter Huijs, Wanganui,25

2012 Jetpro Jetsprinting Calendar
Sunday 4 December 2011 - Meremere
Tuesday 27 December 2011 - Wanganui
Sunday 22 January 2012 - Featherston
Sunday 4 March 2012 - Hastings
Saturday 31 March 2012 - Wanganui (under lights)
Saturday 21 April 2012 - Featherston (finals)

ends

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