'Fairview' claims its second 100-miler in NZ

11:01 PM Sun 1 Mar 2009 GMT

''Fairview Windows and Doors' heads for the chequered flag to register its second 100-miler in the Superboat class of the NZ Offshore titles.' Greg Olsen Click Here to view large photo

The Douglas Skater 'Fairview Windows and Doors' has greeted the chequered flag to register its second 100-mile win in the 2009 Rayglass NZ Offshore Powerboat championships.

Veteran driver Ted Taiatini (left) made a successful comeback to racing after a 10-year absence to join co-owner Warren Lewis aboard 'Fairview Windows and Doors'. - Greg Olsen Click Here to view large photo

Competing in fine conditions at Maraetai, south-east of Auckland, 'Fairview Windows and Doors', with veteran driver Ted Taiatini making a comeback after a 10-year absence to join throttleman and co-owner Warren Lewis, enjoyed a relatively incident free race.

'Cure Kids' (Tony Coleman and Chris Handley) came in second with 'A1 Homes' (formerly 'Fairview Windows and Doors' in 2008) third with Scott Lewis and Murray Tuffin aboard.

In the hotly-contested 60-mile race, 'Konica Minolta', with Greg Brinck and Eldon Archer in charge, finished ahead of 'Expresso Engineers' (Mike Gerbic and Haydn Mearns) with 'Eliminator' driven by John Purchase with David Roderique on throttles in third place.

NZ Offshore Powerboat Association spokesman Greg Brinck described the meet as having 'good, close racing in all classes.'

'We had to delay the races from Saturday's originally scheduled racing to the Sunday due to the weather conditions, so it really was pleasing that Sunday presented us with ideal racing conditions,' he said.

'It was a beautiful day at Maraetai and big, enthusiastic crowd was on hand to enjoy the action.

'There was only a light chop on the water surface, north-easterly breeze and basically no drama confronting the competitors,' he added.

'Konica Minolta', Greg Brinck and Eldon Archer aboard, takes out the 60-miler at the NZ Offshore Powerboat championships last weekend. - Greg Olsen Click Here to view large photo

The competitors are now readying their boats for the third round at Napier next weekend.

'Fairview Windows and Doors' now holds a commanding lead in the 100-mile Superboat class with 950 points from 'Cure Kids', 750 points and 'Doosan' on 544.

Kelly Smith, aboard 'Rayglass' is back in fourth place (446 points) with 'A1 Homes' bringing up the rear on 300 points.

The keenly contested 60-mile race comprises the Super 60, Classic, Sports 60 Restricted, Sports 60 and Formula Honda classes.

'Konica Minolta', on 950 points, leads the series with 'Expresso Engineers' second on 750 from 'Building Solutions' with 446 points.

The middle of the field resembles a 'dog fight' with only a few points separating fourth placed 'Auckland District Collections #2' from eighth placed 'Back to Bay 6'.

by Bob Wonders

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