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[BOATS] Frustration for 321 at Griffith
by Sean Henshelwood
(Archived)
Frustration at Griffith for the 321Ignition team
Rnd#3 2009 Continental Tyres Australian Superboat Championships
Lake Wyangan, Griffith, NSW
10-11 April, 2009
After a frustrating start to the 2009 Continental Tyres Australian Superboat Championships, 321 Ignition’s Greg Harriman was hopeful of a change of fortune at Griffith over Easter, some investigative work post-Temora uncovering a number of small problems Greg hoped would transform the boat.
“I sat one night and studied all the photographs of similar boats,” he admitted. “Both Mackrafts like mine, and those that were modified into Sprintecs. It took me a while to gel, but eventually I uncovered something we’d all missed, and after calling Col Parish the next day (Parish had 321 Ignition in his Wangaratta workshop), he confirmed that there was in fact an issue we needed to address..”
A traditionally cautious start to the weekend saw some improvement for the 321 Ignition team and a surprise discovery.. “I’ve found through the MoTeC data that I actually pick up speed at various parts of the circuit AFTER I’ve backed off the throttle, so the boat is actually performing quite well from that respect.”
After a few trial runs with different lines and varying throttle applications on track, Greg admitted to uncovering further data.. “I’m convinced we’re on the right track to finding a solution to our speed problem, it’s just that there’s not enough opportunity for me to go out and test our theories. I haven’t had the boat home at my place now since it was sent off to New Zealand last year for the world titles, so I am hopeful of making some serious inroads before Cabarita..”
Sadly for the 321 Ignition crew their Griffith weekend ended with the final qualifying run, the AFJSA President turning in another low 44 second run after changing the jet unit to drop the nose of the boat; his time showed a fourth lap less than a second off his previous efforts. “It’s frustrating not to be in the ten, but it’s also frustrating to go away wondering how we can improve, and I think we’re on the right track there too. Our time’s were so consistent that it proves there’s something basic we’re missing, and that’s what we’ll go away and address.”
The 321 Ignition Racing team now enjoys a chance to assess things prior to the next event – the opening round of the Queensland Championships set down for Cabarita (near Tweed Heads) on June 6-7. The penultimate round of the Continental Tyres Australian Superboat Championships will be held at Maryborough (Queensland) on September 5-6.
You can catch all the action from the 2009 Continental Tyres Australian Superboat Championships on SBS Speedweek and FOX Sports 'Inside Speed' (check local guides and keep an eye on www.v8superboats.com.au for dates and times).
321Ignition Racing is proudly supported by; 321Ignition Magazine, Brumby’s, Parish Automotive, ACE Truck Bodies, SKIN Industries Pickering Smash Repairs, Meridian Motorsport and Phicom Extreme Communication.
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2009 Continental Tyres Australian Superboat Championships
International Group A (drivers points after Rnd#3 of 5)
1. Slade Stanley/Vanessa Wright (140), 2. Nathan Pretty/Austin Gill (135), 3. Rohan Smith/Owen Dyball (116), 4. Ted Sygidus/Kelsie Gill (106), 5. Tremayne Jukes/Ruth Webster (95), 6. Brooke Dixon/Leanne Rake (91), 7. Greg Mercier/Dorinda Mercier (81), 8. Robert Colman/Shane Stewart (77), 9. Darek Sygidus/David Gill (48), 10. Daniel Walton/ Brad Nicolson (37), 11. Mick Manini/Athena Dickson (28), 12. Simon Zarb/Peter Keep (18), 13. Greg Harriman/Adam Doyle (17), 14. Tony Whalan/Adrian Kemp (15), 15. Brendan Donnelly/Tyson Allen (10), 15. Shane Loughnan/Joe Manganaro (10), 15. Darren Watkins/Brad Saibura (10), 15. Damien O’Leary/Carly Nappa (10), 19. Rodney Krause/Kristy Hamilton (6), 20. Kevin Laugesen/Tiffany Parratt (5), 21. Kieran Krause (5)
www.321ignitionmag.com
www.v8superboats.com.au
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