One on one with Tom Barry-Cotter

6:49 AM Tue 7 Apr 2009 GMT

'Tom Barry-Cotter - straining at the leash to get to Qatar. The engine he’s looking over is a V12 Lamborghini ready to be re-installed into the engne bay of ’Maritimo’ in readiness for the Newcastle round of the Offshore Superboat Championships. - One on one with Tom Barry-Cotter' Bob Wonders Click Here to view large photo

Twenty-one years old and about to mix it with the hard men. Just a few weeks ago, Tom Barry-Cotter, son of boating industry legend Bill Barry-Cotter, celebrated his 21st birthday.

However, despite his relative youth, Tom has no fears about his imminent entry into a world where no quarter is asked and certainly none given, the world of Class 1 offshore powerboat racing.

On Friday, Tom flies out to Qatar where he will meet up with his throttleman, the Norwegian ace Pal Virik Nilsen, their 'target' the Qatar Grand Prix, opening round of the UIM-WPPA Class 1 World Powerboat Championship on Anzac Day, April 25.

The pair will be contesting the event aboard one of two 12.90-metre catamarans designed and built by Bill Barry-Cotter at the Maritimo plant.

Each is powered by dual 920hp-plus supercharged V8 engines also designed and assembled at the high-tech Maritimo Offshore Race Team headquarters.

Tom and Pal will be aboard 'Maritimo 11', while Maritimo crew chief Peter McGrath will throttle for Italy's Giorgio Manuzzi in 'Maritimo 12'.

To describe Tom as looking forward to the championship is a classic understatement.

To coin a phrase, 'he can't wait.' 'I just love offshore racing and I'm looking forward to lining up like you wouldn't believe,' he declared.

Although the pair will have a week of practice, Tom says most will be fine tuning, checking propellers and instruments. 'There won't be too much on water testing, we want to keep engine hours down,' he explained.

The Doha Bay circuit, described as 'notoriously fast and tricky', holds no fears for the young Barry-Cotter.

He raced on the circuit in 2007 and finished a creditable sixth.

Asked who he would most like to beat on April 25, Tom laughed; 'All of them', he said.

He admits the powerful Victory Team out of Dubai and the equally tough Team Qatar will present hurdles to anyone thinking ahead to the chequered flag.

Superboat Grand Prix 2008 - Sydney (AUS) - 09/03/08
MARITIMO - winner - (left to right) Pal Virik Nilsen and Tom Barry-Cotter - Andrea Francolini&copy

As soon as the Qatar GP draws to a close, Tom will leave the podium (hopefully) and depart for the Gold Coast for final inspection of the V-12 Lamborghini-powered 'Maritimo' in readiness for the second last round of the Australian Offshore Superboat Championships scheduled for Newcastle over the weekend of May 2-3.

If Tom wins at Newcastle he will retain his Australian title; if he registers a DNF, it will be up to Luke Durman and Ross Willaton to campaign the boat successfully in the final round off Townsville.

Overseas commitments prevent Tom from contesting the final race. 'No worries,' says the confident youngster, 'I'll just have to make sure I'm first across the line at Newcastle.'

by Bob Wonders

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