All set for the staging of Australia's most iconic powerboat race

3:52 PM Thu 29 Apr 2010 GMT

'Ricky Howard’s ’Hypoeractive’ at full noise, the massive 510 cubic inch Chevrolet doing what it does best. - bridge to bridge' Click Here to view large photo

Nearly 200 of Australia's fastest race and ski race boats will converge on the Hawkesbury River, North West of Sydney, on Sunday (May 2) for the 74th Bridge to Bridge staged by the Upper Hawkesbury Powerboat Club.

The 'red hot' field will comprise about 90 entrants for the powerboat race and an estimated 96 for the accompanying ski race sector. Numerous classes will contest the race over both powerboat and ski race sectors.

’Anglomoil’, Craig Truslove at the wheel, out to give Superclass ’a shake’. - Bridge to Bridge - Click Here to view large photo

The starters include powerboat race record holder Ricky Howard, who in his hydroplane 'Hyperactive' in 2008 became the first to break the 30 minute mark, covering the 112 (approx) distance along the winding river in an astonishing 29 minutes, 47 seconds.

Race record holder and the first man to break 30 minutes, Ricky Howard, in the cockpit of the hydro ’Hyperactive’. - Bridge to Bridge - Click Here to view large photo

Racing gets underway on Sunday with the powerboat Superclass away at 9am. Ricky Howard is not forecasting an attack on his race record: 'Our aim is simply to do the speed we need to attain to win he race,' he explained.

'If that means we achieve a speed that does break the record, then so be it, but we're not aiming for it.'

Darren Greentree (’Handfull’) and Darryl Quinn (’Delusional’) head to head in last year’s classic. - Bridge to Bridge - Click Here to view large photo

Howard's boat, 'Hyperactive', is powered by a massive 510 cubic inch big block Chevrolet, a naturally-aspirated engine delivering about 720 horsepower. Not that Howard will have things all his own way, not if others in Superclass have their way.

Father and son, Darren Greentree (right) with son Dylan. The Bridge to Bridge has always been a family affair. - Bridge to Bridge -

Queenslander Craig Truslove in the Formula 1 rig 'Anglomoil' is certainly capable of throwing out a strong challenge. As is Darren Greentree ('Handfull'), whose local knowledge will stand him in good stead. Few would know the river better than Greentree.

Simon McMah and ’Anarchy’, holder of the race record for Unlimited Inboard. - Bridge to Bridge -

There'll also be tough competition thrown up by Paul Vella ('Impatient'), Peter Zala ('Aussie Blue') and Andrew Petty ('Stackinjection'). It should ensure Superclass will be hard fought all the way.

Another who will do all he can to prevent Superclass from winning all the praise, will be Simon McMah at the wheel of 'Anarchy.' McMah holds the race record, 39 minutes, 21 seconds for the Unlimited Inboard set in 2006. Unlimited Outboard should also return some very quick times, with Troy Duvall's 'Get Wet' and Ron Beasley's 'Beasley Racing' among the front runners.

Paul Vella airborne as he gives his hydro ’Impatient’ full throttle. - Bridge to Bridge - Click Here to view large photo

Weather conditions (as at April 29) for the race look promising and the river conditions are clear and smooth, all indicating fast and safe racing.

We wish all competitors well.

by Bob Wonders

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