The powerboats were off to a flying start at the BP Airport Pro-Classic at Sandy Hook on Sunday morning as they hit the water hard.
A total of 33 powerboat racers and they crew from around Queensland converged on Bundaberg for the second last race of the year.
Bundaberg Powerboat Club Kathy Eglington said the water was a little choppy to start which gave the powerboats a little lift as they flew across the normally tranquil water of Sandy Hook.
Kathy said it was a great turnout of racers and spectators who gathered on the riverbank to watch the fast-paced action.
“We have had racers from the Gold Coast to Mackay join in the pro-classic today,” Kathy said.
“There’s a good representation of locals too; I’d say about a third are from around here.”
Taking out the first senior heat at the BP Airport Pro-Classic was Craig Spicer of CPG Racing from Wamuran.
Craig is not new to racing powerboats and said his passion followed on from his father and grandfather.
“I’ve been around racing my whole life since I was a young boy;’m third generation,” he said.
“Zac Atkinson (Acko Racing) and I have a ball racing together (and) both our dad's used to race each other.”
Craig said the first two BP Airport Pro-Classic races of the day were fantastic as he gained a place but had to miss the final two races after a small piece of equipment failed.
He said he loved coming to the Bundaberg Region to race his powerboat and looked forward to returning.
Thank you to the sponsors and volunteers
Kathy thanked all the sponsors and volunteers who helped make the event possible, saying without them the BP Airport Pro-Classic would not have been successful.
“Without our sponsors we wouldn’t be able to have this,” Kathy said.
“Our major sponsor was BP Airport – without their support it would be very difficult to host event like this here in Bundaberg.”
Kathy said powerboats continued to grow in the Bundaberg Region and the event held earlier in the year during July was the largest the club had seen.
“We hold five races a year here and the Rum City Classic in July had 65 boats and was our biggest amount ever, which is truly amazing,” she said.
“The volunteers, we love our volunteers, without our safety boats or these volunteers on the ground we wouldn’t be able to host events like – not many clubs around would exist without the volunteers!
“So, we just have to say a big thank you to all of them!”
The next event for Bundaberg Powerboat Club will be held at the beginning of December and will be the final race for the year.
Earlier report: Powerboats revved up for BP Airport Pro-Classic
