1:23 AM Wed 18 Nov 2009 GMT
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'Shane Vella, former national Formula 1 champion, will be ready for Taree and ready to defend his crown.'
Theo Spykers ©
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Taree's Manning River, on the New South Wales north coast, will be 'home to horsepower' this weekend with the opening round of the newly-formed Australian Formula Powerboat Grand prix.
Five classes will go into 'battle', with Formula 1, Formula 2, Formula 3, Sports Mono Hull and Formula Futures (Junior) competing.
Club president (and competitor) Craig Truslove said the thirty-five confirmed entries could increase by race day.
'When 35 were confirmed, entries had not officially closed, so it would not surprise if some more turned up,' he said.
Confirmed starters comprise nine Formula I entries, eight F2, five F3, five Juniors and eight Sports Mono.
Entries have come from far and wide, with two Victorian boats, one from Townsville, others from the Queensland Gold Coast, Newcastle, Brisbane and Port Macquarie.
Many of the drivers are highly skilled at their 'trade' and there's a certainty to be some exciting spectator viewing.
Ones to watch included former Australian Formula 1 champion Shane Vella and Anthony McEnnally, who will be at the wheel of a new Watersports GTR boat.
The powerful Sea Quest team, with Grant Trask, son of team owner Bob Trask at the wheel, will be another well worth watching.
There's a definite family involvement, too, with father and son Ron and Mick Beasley clashing in Formula 1 and younger son Bob in a new F2 boat.
David Wedlock, at the wheel of the bright red F2 'Townsville Post Card' will be out to show North Queenslanders aren't to be trifled with.
Trevor Hodder makes his racing debut in the Anglomoil F2 together with Port Macquarie-based Michael Page.
Local boy, Fletcher Osborne, will be flying the Taree flag in Juniors.
Organisers have been delighted with the response to the re-introduction of the F3 class, with at least five boats confirmed, including experienced drivers Geoff Bollins and Greg Banks.
The Taree meeting will be the first time the Formula boats have raced under their new banner.
President Craig Truslove described the series as 'driver owned, operated and funded.'
'Any profits we might make are sunk straight back into the series,' he added.
Racing begins at 9.30am both days, with F1, F2 and F3 boats involved in three heats each day on a point score basis.
Juniors and Sport Mono entries race throughout both days.
Fans can see the boats close-up and meet the drivers at the Airport Tavern on Friday afternoon at 4pm, followed by a barbecue.
It's shaping up as a racing program for Taree to remember.
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The Formula tunnel boats offer plenty of excitement for spectators, as can be seen by this scene on the Gold Coast earlier this year. - Bob Wonders
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by Bob Wonders
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Macquarie Island, TAS
