Wrangler fights back

Press, 23 August 1976, Page 4

Wrangler fights back

Phillip Mills, at the helm of his tunnel hull design, Wrangler, came from behind to win the A and B class race in the Timaru Epiglass Roaring Forty powerboat marathon on Saturday. It was not until the sixth of the eight laps that Mills overtook Gordon Chamberlain (Assassin) and Murray Douglas (Miss Benmore), but he forged away from his rivals over the later stages of the event.

The victory enabled Mills to extend his advantage in his section of the marathon series, but quite a number of the favoured competitors in other divisions had to settle for more modest placings. One who did not complete the course was Maurie Daniel, who had fashioned a perfect record in the previous six F class beats. Daniel’s boat, Streaker — after four years of virtually faultless performances — had its propeller and shaft sheared off on the fourth lap, and he had only the compensation of a quick recovery of his equipment from the depths of Caroline Bay. The elimination of Daniel left a local driver, Dave Jack (Sneaky Poker), with the opportunity to improve on his consistent record of five seconds and a third. Another regular minor place-getter, Ken Greenwood (Tanqueray Gin), headed home the E class fleet. Marion Ryan (Brightlings Express) did well to finish third in spite of having a broken power trim on her craft.

The well-performed Rod McKenzie (The Villian) settled for third in the C class

race when Kent Prier (Powerboat Centre) made the best use of the difficult conditions.

Results:— A and B classes: Wrangler (P. Mills. Christchurch) 1, Assassin (G. Chamberlain, Christchurch) 2, Miss Benmore (M. Douglas, Otematata) 3.

C class: Powerboat Centre (K. Prier, Christchurch) 1, Black Max (G. Ford, Christchurch) 2, The Villian (R. McKenzie, Timaru) 3. D class: Trailways (R. Browne,

Ttmaru) 1, Gringo’s Mistress (A McDougall, Christchurch) 2, Hust ler (R. Hart, Timaru) 3. E class: Tanqueray Gin <K Greenwood, Timaru) 1, Llttls Powerboat Centre (J. Dick, Christchurch) 2, Brightlings Em press (M. Ryan, Christchurch) 3 F class: Sneaky Poker (D. Jack Timaru) 1, Puppet (S. Callaghan, Christchurch) 2, Red Streakei (A. Craig, Timaru) 3.

C class cabin cruisers: Stipulator (C. Hill, Christchurch) 1. Miss Fairview 2, Kipilo Capen (R. Foster) 3.