Australian Offshore racers team third in World titles

7:05 AM Wed 30 Sep 2009 GMT

''Maritimo 11' crew Tom Barry-Cotter (left) and throttleman Pal Virik Nilsen in the office' Nigel Quilter &copy Click Here to view large photo

Bill Barry-Cotter and his Maritimo Offshore Race Team left for Italy earlier this week where his two-boat squad will contest the Italian Offshore Grand Prix this weekend (October 2-4).

Maritimo is campaigning two boats, 'Maritimo 11' with Tom Barry-Cotter (driver) and Pal Virik Nilsen (throttles) and 'Maritimo 12', throttled by crew chief Peter 'Muddy' McGrath and driven by Italian ace Giorgio Manuzzi.

The event is being staged on Lake Maggiore, near the Italian resort town of Stresa.

It is Italy's second largest lake, more than 60 kilometres in length and 10 kilometres wide.

After their excellent third place in the Romanian GP, Tom Barry-Cotter (right) and Pal Virik Nilsen had reason to celebrate and company to do it with. - Italian GP - Nigel Quilter &copy

Tom Barry-Cotter and Virik Nilsen will be looking to add to their impressive form after claiming two successive podium finishes.

They are currently holding third place in the Class I World Offshore Powerboat championships on 40 points, just 16 points astern of second-placed Victory 1.

McGrath and Manuzzi have collected 12 points and are holding eighth spot on the leader board.

Bill Barry-Cotter admitted earlier this week that he was not familiar with the course.

'I don't think any lack of local knowledge is going to cause us any problems, though,' he said.

'Both crews have raced at similar venues, so provided we don't experience any major mechanical problems I expect them to go hard and go well.'

by Bob Wonders

Click on thumbnails to enlarge and find more photos:

Newsfeed supplied by

#News #PowerBoats

Australian Offshore racers team third in World titles

Sports/News

Weather Forecasts & Live Reports