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[BOATS] Top ten again for Walton
by Sean Henshelwood
(Archived)
Top 10 again for Walton
Rnd#5 2009 Continental Tyres Australian Superboat Championships
Susan River Homestead, Maryborough, QLD
7 September, 2009
2009 has been an interesting year for the Adelaide based Kryptonite Racing team of Damian O’Leary and Daniel Walton, the duo had planned at season start to be regulars inside the top ten in the super-competitive International Group A class during the 2009 Continental Tyres Australian Superboat Champiosnhips, however despite their best intentions, the season start saw them a little wet behind the ears…
“Literally,” Daniel Walton laughed.
Initially planning on a two-boat strategy with ‘Kryptonite’ (O’Leary) and ‘K2’ (Walton), they were forced to share driving duties in ‘K2’ at the opener after they were unable to prepare both boats in time.
Whilst quick to dial himself in at the Melton season opener, a slight off-apex run mid-lap during his first qualifier saw Walton and navigator Michael Gancarz inverted in the drink… “It was only a gentle off onto the island, and an even gentler roll to the point where we were strapped in upside down in the water,” Walton recalled.
“It was a scary moment, and it took me a while to get out of my harness, fortunately the safety crew was on board to right the boat, by which time Michael was out, but I was under longer than I’d planned.
“Fortunately the boat was okay; we took it back to the pits and managed to get it fired, but sat out the rest of the day to check systems. Damian let me run through the next day, but I have to admit I wasn’t quite so aggressive on day two. In fact if I was honest it took me a good couple of rounds to get my head back in the right place again.”
Despite the setback the boys from South Australia turned up two weeks later at Temora with the boat in pristine condition, Daniel putting in a solid run to make the top ten cut and claim tenth on the day.
Unfortunately for Damian, his lack of seat time in a relatively unknown boat stopped a dual charge into the ten, but he was typically happy with the result.
“We’re just chalking up miles and experience, with a view to a solid assault at seasons end, hopefully with two boats on the water,” he nodded.
Despite competing against teams on much bigger budgets, Dan managed to haul ‘K2’ into the top ten again for the next two rounds, but he’d struggled at Cabarita (round four) to eliminate a persistent miss.
“I think it must be electrical,” he shrugged at the close of the Cabarita round. “We can’t trace exactly what it is. Initially we thought it may have been fuel, but we swapped carbies and traced the whole fuel system and it was still coughing and farting its way around, so I can only guess it’s electrical.”
Fortunately during the mid-season brake the Kryptonite team was able to trace the issue to a faulty ignition block.
“Hopefully that will see us right.”
By the close of the Maryborough round Dan had carded his fourth top ten of the season and retained tenth in the championship points.
“Not bad for an older boat that quite honestly is running about as well as it can. We’re down a bit on power due to our budget, but to be within tenths of a second of some of the best boats in the world isn’t a bad result for the old girl!”
Damian meanwhile had missed the fourth and fifth rounds of the championship due to work commitments, so had dropped back in the points, but the good news came at Maryborough that he and ‘Kryptonite’ would be back for the season finale.
“It’ll be nice to have the two boats running together again,” Dan admitted. “It’s been a tough year so far, but we’re looking seriously towards the world titles and with any luck a jump in performance.
“I can’t wait…”
The final round of the Continental Tyres Superboat Championships is set for Cabarita in two weeks time (September 19-20), it’s sure to be an event to remember!
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).
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2009 Continental Tyres Australian Superboat Championships
International Group A (400 Class)
Championship points (points after five rounds of six*)
1. Slade Stanley (235), 2. Rohan Smith (197), 3. Ted Sygidus (182), 4. Brooke Dixon (175), 5. Greg Mercier (154), 6. Nathan Pretty (133), 7. Tremayne Jukes (151), 8. Robert Colman (130), 9. Darek Sygidus (96), 10. Daniel Walton (72), 11. Mick Manini (38), 12. Rodney Krause (31), 13. Shaun Dixon (26), 14. Greg Harriman (25), 15. Simon Zarb (15), 16. Tony Whalan (15), 17. Darren Watkins (15), 18. Kevin Laugesen (15), 19. Damian O’Leary (15), 20. Chris Bollins (13), 21. Shane Loughnan (10), 22. Kieran Krause (10), 23. Geoff Kunkel (10), 24. Brendan Donnelly (7), 25. Darryl Squires (5)
* championship points are calculated from the best five point scoring rounds (of six)
www.v8superboats.com.au
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