 Older Article (archived) | Newer Article (archived) |
[BOATS] Fourth for BTS Racing at Melton
by Sean Henshelwood
(Archived)
Fourth for BTS Racing at Melton
Rnd#1 2009 Continental Tyres Australian Superboat Championships
McPherson Park, Melton, Victoria
7-8 March, 2009
“I reckon we can crack the top three this weekend” a confident Rohan Smith nodded prior to the top ten runoff at Melton during the opening round of the 2009 Continental Tyres Australian Championships.
He had good reason too to believe that having qualified third fastest by the close of the four qualifying rounds, and with ‘plenty left in the can’ was full of anticipation for the finals.
“We’re in for the season this year, no question,” the 2002 Group A champion confirmed, “Last year we were in the box seat for a top two in the championship, but I missed a round when I broke my wrist, so I wound up third.
“The boats good, and this weekend we’re back to MoTeC (data-logging) for the first time in years, so we’ve got some work ahead of us to gain some data so we can turn some of our educated guesses into facts.”
Despite a strong run in opening practice where Rohan ‘initiated’ new navigator Owen ‘Chook’ Dyball, his first timed run provided a problem he admitted he’d never experienced before.. “A plug lead came off half way around the run. It was a blinder too, the boat has never felt so good.. it won’t happen again though, they’ll be checked twice every time now..”
Ahead of Smith in the finals were two of the fastest drivers in the world, reigning world champion and part-time V8 Supercar pilot Nathan Pretty, and former world champion Slade Stanley.. Rohan wasn’t fazed though. “All things considered we’ve got just as much pace, so there’s absolutely no reason why we can’t take the win.. There’s also no need to show your hand too early in the weekend, I reckon we’ll be right..”
Sadly for Smith, changeable weather conditions caught him just prior to the top ten shootout.. “I’m a bit disappointed really, Steve (crew-chief Steve Harrison) and I had the carbie jets set up perfectly for the cooler weather, then just before we went out for our run the sun came out for the first time on the weekend and the temperature changed. In the end we were out a bit on where we should have been and that cost us.
“I reckon we would have done a 44 which definitely would have put us into the final three. That’s life though, we’ve got a straight boat and some data ready for the next round, so we’ll go away and have a play with a few things we want to try with our Doen jet unit and see what we come up with.
“The engine’s also going back to Brian Cassar at Moe Engines for a freshen up before Temora, so we should be good for a challenge on the leaders.
Round one of the 2009 Continental Tyres Australian Superboat Championships will be televised on SBS Speedweek on March 22 (2:00pm EST - check guides) and repeated on FOX Sports 'Inside Speed' on March 25 (8:30pm EST - check local guides for confirmation).
The BTS Racing team now prepares for the second round of the 2009 Continental Tyres Australian Superboat Championships scheduled for Temora in central-western NSW in three weeks time (March 27-28).
BTS Racing are proudly supported by; Bearing & Transmission Supplies, Starlite Powder Coating, Complete Welding Hire & Sales, Pura Metals and Valvoline.
2009 Continental Tyres Australian Superboat Championships
International Group A (points after Rnd#1 of 5)
1. Nathan Pretty (47), 2. Slade Stanley (46), 3. Ted Sygidus (43), 4. Rohan Smith/Owen Dyball (37), 5. Tremayne Jukes (36), 6. Brooke Dixon (26), 7. Robert Colman (25), 8. Darek Sygidus (19), 9. Simon Zarb (18), 10. Greg Mercier (15), 11. Brendan Donnelly (10), 12. Greg Harriman (7), 13. Mick Manini (6), 14. Shane Loughnan (5), 14. Kevin Laugesen (5), 14. Darren Watkins (5), 14. Tony Whalan (5)
www.v8superboats.com.au
| Older Article (archived) | Newer Article (archived) |
| Browse 'BOATS' | |
| Browse 'BOATS' Archive | |
