Austrian contenders out to show their merit
Australia’s Maritimo Powerboat Racing Team has confirmed it will enter two of its new specification Class 1 offshore outfits in a bid for race and title honours in 2009.
The new lighter hull, powered by two Mercury 790 V8s – designed and built by the Australian producer of long-range luxury motor yachts, Maritimo – was unveiled in Dubai at the end of last year before finishing fifth in its racing debut.
“In some ways, it was disappointing that we had no time to test before taking the boat out of the box, but what we saw was very encouraging,” said Maritimo team owner, Bill Barry-Cotter. “We identified some fundamental issues, the main one being the rudder configuration, but we will put them right and make one or two other minor modifications before the opening race in Doha.”
The 2007-8 Australian Offshore Superboat Champions, Tom Barry-Cotter and Pal Virik Nilsen, who competed in three Class 1 events last year, will head the two-boat assault. The experienced New Zealand throttleman, Peter ‘muddy’ McGrath, will be joined in the second boat by Italian, Giorgio Manuzzi, who competed last year alongside Nicola Giorgi in SeveneleveN.
