Australian Formula Powerboats bound for Geelong

2:00 AM Thu 18 Mar 2010 GMT

'Formula 1 field sent on its way in round one - eventual winner (and current point score leader) Damien McKenzie is closest to the camera.' Theo Spykers &copy

The Victorian bayside city of Geelong will play host to the third round of the Australian Formula Powerboat Championships over the weekend of April 9, 10 and 11, with Formula 1, Formula 2, Formula 3, Sports Mono and Formula Futures lining up.

Queensland Gold Coast-based driver Damien McKenzie (McKenzie Racing) is the current Formula 1 point score leader after showing consistent form for a win (at Taree) and a second (at Grafton).

He holds a narrow advantage over Sydney ace Shane Vella (Shane Vella Racing) with Brisbane's David Trask (XPU Racing) in third place.

McKenzie and Shane Vella ( 5) in close quarter battle at Taree. - formula boats at geelong - Theo Spykers &copy

Two Gold Coast drivers, Craig Truslove (Anglomoil) and Mick Beasley (Slightly Twisted) will be looking to improve on their fifth and sixth places (respectively).

In Formula 2, Port Macquarie's Michael Page holds a commanding lead after victories at Taree and Grafton.

Newcastle's Matt Smith (Turbo) and Sydney's Tim Bollins (Watersports Marine) will be determined to keep him 'honest'.

David Wedlock (Wedlock Racing), out of Townsville, Sydney's Chris Kuznetsoff (Sportsfilm), Gold Coaster Trevor Hodder (Anglomoil) and Robert Beasley (Slightly Twisted), from the NSW Central Coast, make up the remainder of the field.

There are five competitors chasing the top prize in Formula 3, all from Sydney; Geoff Bollins (Bollins Racing 2) holds a narrow point score lead over Corey Davoll (Get Wet Racing) and Brian Armstrong (AMS 48 Racing).

Craig Truslove is not just a Formula 1 competitor, he’s also president of the Australian Formula Powerboat Association. - Theo Spykers &copy

Queenslander David Ainley, in Bullet Express, leads the Sports Mono point score with Sydney's Tim Fenwick (Southern Cross) and Greg Adams, of Newcastle, aboard Adams Sportboats pushing hard.

The promising Formula Futures for the youngsters is broken into age groups and horsepower restrictions.

In the 6hp to 9.9hp (10-12 years), Madison Brereton (Animal) leads from Sydney's Bailey Cave (Lil Top Dollar).

Taree's Fletcher Osbourne (Gremlin) is leading the way in the 15hp (12-16 years) class with Sydney drivers Kieren Cave (Bad Bull) and Tanya Robinson (Hurricane Racing) in second and third.

Sydney’s Tim Bollins in action at Taree in the Formula 2 class. He currently holds third place on the championship point score. - Theo Spykers &copy

Australian Formula Powerboat Association secretary Cherie Vella says Geelong is shaping up to deliver and exciting third round.

The event begins on the Friday (April 9) with a Meet the Drivers and a display of the competing craft.

An official barbecue with the welcome mat laid out for drivers, crews, guests and sponsors will follow.

Scrutineering will take place, 3pm to 4.30pm, on the Friday and 7am to 9am on the Saturday.

Teams arriving on site not knowing where to establish their pit site position are asked to contact Craig Truslove, 0411 754 787.

For additional information contact secretary Cherie Vella, telephone 0417 238 218.

Townsville’s David Wedlock (Wedlock Racing) survived a crash at Grafton in February with nothing more than a few bruises. He currently sits fourth on the Formula 2 point score and will be looking to improve on that at Geelong. - Formula boats at Geelong - Theo Spykers &copy