F1 Superboats fly in Newcastle

'F1 superboats Newcastle Shane Vella wins' Theo Spykers &copy Click Here to view large photo

A year ago the Newcastle round of the XlLR8 Home Loans Australian F1 Superboat Series was blown off the water as a savage storm from a winter east coast low blew the Pasha Bulker onto Nobby Beach.

Today, there were again offshore gales, but on the sheltered waters of Newcastle Harbour, round 3 of the 2008 F1 series was raced today.

It was tough racing for the high speed racers, which reach speeds of 250km on the short straights, as the boats were in constant danger of becoming airborne as wind bullets lifted across the race course.

The national championship leader Shane Vella who triumphed in Round 2 at Toukley at end of May showed he was still the boat to beat.

In the morning race Shane Vella streaked from pole position to take the gun from Craig Truslove in XLR8 Home Loans with Damien McKenzie third. Vella did the same thing in race two as rain squalls blasted the fleet. McKenzie was second and Anthony McEnally third.

In Race three Vella accelerated to the first corner ahead of 2006 national champion Rhys Cole , with McKenzie third. McKenzie powered through Cole, but up ahead Vella was lapping the back markers and was unchallenged to take three wins in a row.

In the F2000 series Queenslander Grant Trask powered his Trask Development Corporation entry to victory in all three races; Townsville's David Page and Michael Paqe NSW share the honours behind Trask.

The supporting Mono Class racers and Jet skis enjoyed excellent crowd interest.