Chch jet boats hold top chances

Press, 12 October 1985, Page 80

Chch jet boats hold top chances

Christchurch jet boat drivers are expected to dominate the Oamaru Licensing Trust race on the Waitaki River today. Fastest time should go to the recent Citizens Watch Marathon winner, Michael Pooley, of Motunau. Pooley is leading, the Businessworld Computers series in the open class for motors of 6601 cu cm and above. His nearest rival in this class, Angus McFarlane, of Christchurch, suffered a bad accident in the recent marathon and still has a leg in plaster. Pooley should increase his points total in this race. Maurice Foulds, of Christchurch, in Businessworld Computers will be Parley’s only other opposition in this class. Foulas’s boat is powered by a 460 Ford, Y.' ‘7‘

while Pooley has a new Hamilton 171 with a deeper vee in the bottom and a 454 Chevrolet. Steve Kirner, of Christchurch, leads class five by a good margin, after four of the 10-race series. Others that could show up in this class are Doug Lawry, of Christchurch, who has had a series of motor malfunctions in recent races. Alan Saville, another Christchurch driver, lies third in this class and his Avonhead Supervalue always finishes. Peter Muff from class four (4201 cu cm — 5100 cu cm) is heading for the most points in the series, with two wins and two seconds so far. His Konveckta is very fast and Muffs aggressive style keeps him near the leaders. Warren Walker,

another Christchurch driver, and Gordon McGregor, of Ashburton, lie third and fourth respectively in this Class, but Richard Brons, of Christchurch, in Black Rushin, after an exceptionally fine placing in the marathon, must also be respected. A well known competitor in previous races, John Watson, of Christchurch, should receive a warm welcome from both competitors and spectators alike. His class three (3401 cu cm — 4200 cu cm) boat flipped and barrelrolled just short of the finish on the marathon. Both Watson and his crew, Ross Fraser, were taken to hospital, The boat has been repaired and Watson will probably have a new crew for this race as Fraser’s arm is still on the mend.

Pat Quinn’s Giddy-Up lies second to Watson and the only woman driver in the series, Margaret Roberts, will be keen to increase her points total. However, the real opposition will come from two other boats, Wayne McKenzie, from Lumsden, in River Road and Curt Neilson, of Christchurch, in Horizon Aluminium. McKenzie has only started in two of the four races and has beaten Watson both times. Neilson and Watson had a magnificent dice through the marathon with only seconds separating them after each day. Neilson was the eventual winner, but only after Watson had his accident. A Heriot driver, Robinson, with Tom Stevenson, < won class two (up to 3400 cu cm) in the marathon. They ;

will be hard to beat with the potent B.M.W. motor, but class leader, Merv Cox (Greenfinger) should not be far behind. A special class for standard Ford : V6 motors has proved popular and today’s event is no exception. The class has drawn the largest entry, eight, and the leader at the moment, Denis Warner’s Sole Agent, will have his work cut out. Bruce Street and Shotover Jet has won the last two races after missing the first two, and at present lies third. Ray Watson, of Christchurch, is second and has been most consistent. Alan Bull has built a new boat after winning last year’s section and this will be his first outing in this class. From Gore is Keith Miller, another who could surprise.