NZ jet sprint on Waimak
This week-end more than 100 jet boats will pit their skills against a narrow, shallow and twisting Waimakariri River sprint course in the Europa, New Zealand jet sprinting championships. Thirty-five of those boats are in the elite class of competition — the open A grade and will battle out who will take home the New Zealand title and a lion’s share of the prize money. Boats from throughout the country will attempt the Waimakariri course in six classes. Boats more than four and a-half litres in engine capacity will contest open A, boats under that size, open B, and the sportsman, standard and modified classes are separable by a formula which takes engine size, exhaust placement, degree of vee and other characteristics into account. , - John Watson, the world sprinting champion, will be driving a Sonic hull, powered by a 400 cu in Chevrolet, as will last year’s world titleholder, Rodney Pohio. They will face the same competition today and tomorrow that they encoun-
tered at the world championships on the Hutt River a month ago. Those who did not fare well because of mechanical failure then, will have their machines well sorted for this meet and provide top competition. Ken Macdonald and Colin McCall’s Hamilton 123, with a 400 cu in Donovan, encountered some problems in the North Island and although the boat was in tip top shape, a steering failure resulted in the machine rolling during practise this week. No major damage has been caused. Greg Tulett and Paul Kinsman have repaired the engine in their Hamilton and the supercharged and methanol injected 350 cu in Chevrolet is running in top form. Bruce Street is conspicuous by his absence and his bright red machine will not be missed by other competitors. Racing starts this morning with elimination rounds for the lower grades. Finals will all be raced on Sunday with the open A class being the last to race. A flying farewell, featuring the fastest 10 boats of the day will conclude the programme.
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Press, 18 February 1989, Page 16
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339NZ jet sprint on Waimak Press, 18 February 1989, Page 16
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