1:54 AM Wed 4 Feb 2009 GMT
More than 280 boats and crews will descend on Victoria's picturesque Murray River port of Echuca this weekend (February 7-8) for the running of the Club Marine Southern 80 ski race classic.
The tough Murray River course, from Torrumbarry Weir to the Victoria Park boat ramp at Echuca, will confront drivers and skiers with 126 bends.
All told, 37 classes will be searching for that chequered flag. Seven entries have been confirmed for Superclass and a further 14 for the Superclass 'B'. Other classes will include Veterans, Juniors, Social, Sub Junior Social, Senior Social, 60mph, 70mph and Tadpole.
Favourite for outright victory is probably the F21 Force, 'Hellrazor' driven by four-time winner Mark Cranny. This time, however, he'll be towing different skiers than those who helped the team to last year's victory.
Reigning world champion Jason Walmsley and Chris Gelle, the 2008 winners, are both out injured, but Cranny has certainly come up with a more than capable pair in former World champ Paul Robertson and another considered a future star, Peter Proctor.
With Damian Matthews in the observer's seat and a twin-turbo big block Chevrolet developing nearly 1800hp, whoever beats the 'Hellrazor' team will need to perform at their peak.
The 2009 race format has been changed since last year, with some races cut and more on-water events included for the Saturday action.
Scrutineering has been scheduled for the Friday (Feb 6) at 12 noon, following a 'Breakfast with the Stars' in the Aquatic Reserve. Social classes will start on Saturday morning from 8.30am with other classes including Veteran, 60mph and 70mph heading out from 12 noon.
After the course has been cleared, the top 40 boats and crews will leave at one-minute intervals, their results to determine their starting places for the Sunday event.
'Hellrazor', as last year's winner, will lead off ahead of the remaining six Superclass entries.
Fourteen Superclass 'B' boats and crews will follow, including 'Chief', 'Fastcash', 'Mirror Image', 'Syndicate' and 'Mistress.' Another 19 boats will then line up for the President's Invitational Dash, as they battle for pole position in their relevant classes.
Organisers expect upwards of 40,000 spectators to line the river
A warning has been issued advising of "a possibility of locust activity" along the river.
The Department of Primary Industries advised race organiser, the Moama Water Sports Club, to alert competitors.
For further information, visit the website, www.southern80.com.au
by Bob Wonders
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Macquarie Island, TAS
