Richard Burt and Roger Maunder took a dominant win in round 4 of the 2010 Jetsprint Championship.
The defending Suzuki super boat champions swept aside all competition, setting fastest time of the day at the Crownthorpe track in the Hawke’s Bay.
Extending their title lead, the pair had a scare after their 1000 horsepower boat left the water earlier in the day, creating the only off-track excursion of 31 teams competing at the lagoon venue west of Hastings.
Setting a time of 44.32 seconds in his final dash, Burt’s closest opposition was Waitotara farmer Duncan Wilson and navigator Jamie-Lee Lupton, who like Wanganui’s Leighton and Kellie Minnell, were eliminated in their final runs with engine failure.
“Thoroughly enjoying it,” said Burt of his third round win for the season. “It could have been a lot worse after our little moment earlier in the day, but an awesome day. Commiserations to Duncan Wilson and Leighton Minnell too, but looking forward to Wanganui and the night race.”
Joining Burt and Maunder on the victory dais under scorching skies, Whangamata’s Ray Thompson and David Toms took the Jetpro Lites round win, with Bevin Muir and Kathy Barker victors in the Scott Waterjet Group A category.
Thompson, with his second win of the season, has taken the series lead from defending champions Stone and Greaves: “I’m a very happy boy,” he exclaimed. “Commiserations to Dave Stone – they had been beating us all day, but over the moon to win here.”
With Bulls pairing of David Stone and navigator Steve Greaves eliminating themselves in the top-four run-off when they made a navigation error, it allowed Lower Hutt’s Bill Swan and navigator Paul Brigham to run for second.
Now with a two point lead in the standings, Thompson has two rounds to complete to secure his maiden title.
But the upset of the day was saved for the Scott Waterjet group A field with Taupo’s Reg and Julie Smith dominating the preliminary eliminations runs. However a battery change in the 1NZ boat shared by defending champion Bevin Muir and current points leader Baden Gray put the pair back at the front, shooting-out for the round win.
Thames-based Muir and navigator Kathy Barker took the honours, pleased at taking maximum points in their quest at defending their title.
“My biggest worry at the moment is Reg (Smith),” said Muir who trails the veteran by a solitary point. I’m just trying to catch him, so as long as I’m ahead I’m happy.”
Meanwhile Auckland’s Baden Gray and navigator Tanya Iremonger were not fazed at having their winning streak broken.
“I’m really happy, but it’s all about championship points now and I’ve still got a good margin,” said Gray, who extends to a nine-point lead over Reg Smith.
Championships Standings (after 4 rounds)
Suzuki Superboat Class
1 Richard Burt – 116pts
2 Leighton Minnell - 106
3 Pat Dillon - 103
= Duncan Wilson - 103
Scott Water Jet Group A Class
1 Baden Gray - 119
2 Reg Smith - 110
3 Bevin Muir - 109
Jetpro Lites Class
1 Ray Thompson - 118
2 Dave Stone - 116
3 Graeme Jones – 104
Next round: 10 April, Wanganui
Watch NZ Jetsprint highlights on Motors TV (Sky Channel 413, Virgin Media 545).
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