[BOATS] Triple X; getting closer..

by Sean Henshelwood

(Archived)


The Triple X Superboat team arrived at Griffith over Easter at the mid-point of the 2009 Continental Tyres Australian Superboat Championships hopeful of a step forward in performance after a relatively low key start to the season..

Getting closer..
Rnd#3 2009 Continental Tyres Australian Superboat Championships
Lake Wyangan, Temora, NSW
10-11 April, 2009

The Triple X Superboat team arrived at Griffith over Easter at the mid-point of the 2009 Continental Tyres Australian Superboat Championships hopeful of a step forward in performance after a relatively low key start to the season..

“We’re still working at it..” Phonsy Mullan nodded as he surveyed his modified Triple X Racing 2 Mackraft ahead of the opening Unlimited Superboat practice session. With an extra four inches attached to the rear of the hull it was clear that the team had been working on more than just the powerplant.. “We actually cut the bottom out of the boat earlier in the week to try and make it better, so we’ll see what transpires..”

Ted and Darek Sygidus too were hoping for a better run at Griffith after an early round crash for Darek at the previous round in Temora upset their forward momentum and altered the performance of the boat.. “It was one of those ‘learning’ experiences,” Darek admitted. “I’ve had limited time in the boat and was keen to get up to speed as quickly as I could, and under those circumstances things happen. In the end it was okay, and we were able to continue, but it appears the boat is still less than perfect.”

“We only had limited time between rounds, with just two weeks separating Temora from Griffith,” Ted Sygidus added. “The boat’s not right, we know that much, but there wasn’t the time to repair it properly in time, so we’ll battle on this weekend, and see what happens..”

Typically Ted was on the pace immediately, irrespective of the state of the boat, setting laps well inside the top six. “It’s not the nicest thing to drive fast, but we’ll be there..”

By the close of qualifying Ted was most certainly within reach of the top three, but was one of four closely matched drivers holding down positions four to seven..

Whilst Ted was fourth, Darek was sadly outside the top ten by the close of qualifying, but with a strong Group A field in attendance, a competitive boat and serious miles were pre-requisites on what is widely regarded as the most unforgiving venue in the country..

“I guess to be fair I was being cautious,” Darek admitted. “Ted’s in with a fair chance in the title chase still, so I was mindful of getting more miles, but also not risking the boat. It’s not the best it’s been to drive, but we’ll fix that before the next round.”

Temora winner Brooke Dixon set the early pace in the top ten, defeating long-time adversary Greg Mercier by three one hundredths of a second. Former champion Rohan Smith then hit the pond, setting the benchmark at 38.540, eight one hundredths faster than Dixon for the top spot. Ted was next out, and at the first split he was just six one hundredths slower than Smith; by lap’s end though he’d dropped three tenths to fall just outside the three.

“We gave it our best shot,” he shrugged afterwards. “There was nothing between third and sixth in the end, so we just missed out, but that was the boat; a couple of tenths was all it was off, but that was the difference in the end between making the top three and sitting it out..”

For Phonsy Mullan Griffith provided yet another chance to sort his new boat which with an additional four inches on the tail appeared to be behaving better on the water.. “It’s an improvement,” Phonsy admitted, “but it’s still an ongoing process. We’re trying new things all the time, but this time at least we’re getting some joy. At Temora at various times I was completely lost with what direction to travel, but in the end it came to me and we were able to make some positive changes.

“We’ve also thrown some more boost in it this weekend, so we’ll see what gives..”

Inside the top six from the outset, Phonsy improved through the qualifiers to hold down fourth heading into the top ten.

Reigning champion Phil Dixon set the early pace, but was knocked off by mere hundredths by Mick Carroll. Phonsy was fifth out, but despite a strong start he was unable to improve on his qualifying heat pace, dropping to sixth by the close of the first final.

“That’s probably to be expected, especially with the pace of the Superboat field at the moment,” he acknowledged. “We’re heading down the right track though, and there’s no substitute for race miles to gain data. We’re working on things all the time and this break to the next round will be no different. The engine’s coming along pretty well and the reliability is good, so it will be more work on the hull before Cabarita; we’ll see how it goes..”

Despite a less than perfect run, Phonsy is tied on points with former champion Dean Finch, and just two points in arrears from the driver who dominated the opening two rounds; Tony Giustozzi.

Triple X Racing now enjoys a break before 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).

Triple X Racing are proudly supported by; GM Race Engines, GM Motorsport, SGA Engineering, Ripshift, D.G. Parsons Transport, Gill Engineering, Sign Perfection, Showcase Constructions, Leggett Crane Hire, Tom Matthews Accounting and Big Benna Events.

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2009 Continental Tyres Australian Superboat Championships

Unlimited Superboats (drivers points after Rnd#3 of 5)
1. Mick Carroll/Yolanda Low (126), 2. Daryl Hutton/Yvonne Maxwell (125), 3. Phil Dixon/Ron Dixon (106), 4. Tony Giustozzi/Tahryn Matthews (102), 5. Dean Finch/Demi Finch (100), 5. Phonsy Mullan/Byron Basset (100), 7. Jamie Welch (96), 8. Cheryl Welch/Sandi Whalan (71), 9. Peter Freckleton/Jake Freckleton (62), 10. Louise Dixon/Casie Lack (59), 11. Paul Burgess/Darran Burgess (22), 12. Andrew Page/Megan Campbell (18), 13. Jody Ely/Peter McKeown (16), 14. Adam Raverty/Chris Pryse (15), 15. Glenn Roberts/Amanda Roberts (7)

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)

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