Powerboat favourite

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33965, 4 October 1975, Page 16

Powerboat favourite

If Jack Gallagher wins at Lyttelton today he will retain his South Island driver-of-the-yeai title. Gallagher and Scott Robson in their 20ft tunnel hull. Hi-Jack, are the favourites in the A and B classes of the Jim Beam 70mile and Mason Struthers 50rnile combined marathons. The races will be the last chance for crews to prove them selves before th- South Island team is named ior the second inter-island challenge Gallagher will have to beat what has come to be regarded as somewhat of a jinx on him at Lyttelton. He won in 1965 and 1966. but mechanical trouble and bad luck have dogged him at Lyttelton since. Last year he was disqualified after finishing third, although he still went on to win the southern series. Record-breaker Gallagher has won five out of seven races so far this seaann and he has broken the New Zes land race average record of 71 miles an hour twice. Of the 60-odd boats starting, the strongest challengers are ex peeted to be Phillip Mills and Terry Stewart In another 20ft tunnel hull, Wrangler Strangler. Other strong challengers, especially if the weather turns rough, will be Jack Ryan and Graeme Martin In the 24-foot Ryan Craft. Blue Pointer Rvan [is second to Gallagher on the ICee Bee Marine Driver of the Year points table The points position: Jack Gal [ lagher 45. Jack Ryan 28. Phillip ’Mills 24. Buzz March 15. Graeme Ford 9. John Ryan 7