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Shane would like me to thank his team and sponsors who have came together overnight to make this happen for the weekend. It would be great to see everyone come out to support the event, which will run this weekend (Saturday August 27th & Sunday August 28th) at the best venue in Australia by far.
Hope to see you there. (Photo above when a tiger meets a tiger!)
Good luck mate and welcome back
Brendon Baker - IT manager of the SVR team
2010 CHAMPIONSHIP WINNERS
Australian Formula Powerboat Grandprix
Penrith - Round 6
Friday
Media day and usual set up.
Saturday - Practice 1
Matty and the boys prepared the boat using our statistics and data from last years Penrith round where we won 3 from 3 races. It was great to see the team hoping to start off where we left off in Penrith last year, knowing the boat was very fast at that round and that we did win 3 out of 3 that year.
The team pushed Shane out into the magnificent regatta centre as if it was a purpose built race centre for F1 boats. Shane did one warm up lap and was straight into it from the beginning. The boat went down the back straight, it was super fast.
Shane was on the radio to Matt instantly saying we “Have all red lights” (meaning maximum RPM). The Team just knew that the boat was on the money from the outset. Shane completed 10 laps and was overwhelmed with the speed and acceleration and decided to head back to the pits.
Practice 2 / Qualifying
The team prepared the boat with a slight change and a different propeller and headed back out for qualifying.
Shane turned 5 laps and was unhappy with the performance and speed so headed back to the pits to put the boat back to the original set up as used in Practice One. The team pushed him back out, Shane headed straight back onto the course and instantly pulled 2 seconds off his time.
Shane put in one complete flying lap and took and additional second off his best time which in the end put The Lindenvel Group #61 on pole position being one second quicker than any other driver. The team headed back to the pits, jumping with joy with the outcome. Shane and the team have been trying so hard to get the “Yella Fella” on pole.
Race 1
The team made no changes from the qualifying set up and sent Shane out for race one. Shane completed the usual warm up lap and the boat was positioned in pole 1 ready for the start with Anthony McEnally in Pole 2, Damien Mackenzie in Pole 3, Craig Truslove in Pole 4, Craig Bailey in Pole 5, Jamie Butler in Pole 6.
The flag dropped, Shane got off to his usual flying start pulling 3 boat lengths from the field. Going into turn one and coming out of turn two, when Matty called Shane and advised him to stop as there had been an enormous accident between Anthony McEnally & Damien Mackenzie going into turn one. The race was subsequently cancelled due to the severity of the accident. Anthony McEnally was airlifted to hospital badly concussed, Damien Mackenzie was fortunate enough to walk from the accident with bruising.
(photo’s of the accident can be found at http://lowdownphotos.zenfolio.com/p1023145876)
The SVR Team would like to wish Anthony & Damien a speedy recovery and hope they are back on their feet soon
Sunday - Race 1 (Re-run from Saturday)
The team prepared the boat as they did on the Saturday. Shane was sent out to the start dock for the re-run of race one.
Shane was in pole, Craig Truslove in 2, Craig Bailey in 3, Jamie Butler in 4
The flag dropped and again Shane got a great start pulling 6 boat lengths through turns one and two. The boat was performing better than it has ever performed to date with Shane seeing speeds that the Yella Fella has never reached before. He lead from start to finish to take a well earned 1st place.
Race 2
No changes were made to the boat after recalling all the data and it confirmed Shanes thoughts, that it was the fastest and quickest lap times over this distance of track that this boat has ever done before. Shane made his way to the start, assuming the pole 1 position with Craig Truslove in 2, Craig Bailey in Pole 3, followed by a couple of the F2 guys. Shane pulled out another great start, and was in the lead by turn one. He continued his lead taking out first place.
At this point in time, due to Damien McKenzies accident with Anthony McEnally he was unable to complete in any races which put Shane in a position that he only needed to present his boat to the start dock to obtain the additional points needed to take out the championship.
Shane has released this statement: “I feel for Damien at this time. Racing can be cruel or it can be kind. I have been in the same situation in previous years and my heart goes out to him. I do not want to take away from the job that my team has done as The Lindenvel Group #61 boat was a second quicker than any other boat this weekend and pulled speed and times that we as a team have not seen from this boat to take the round win”.
Race 3
The team went out to the start dock and took their place which gave them the points to take out the round win and championship. Shane was presented at this time with the checkered flag and did his victory lap.
Presentation
The series presentation was held at the Log Cabin in Penrith. The team was presented with their trophy for the round win and the Australian Championship. This is third successive year that the Yella Fella will carry the Australian title and Championship. At the conclusion of the presentation Shane welcomed all teams to his favourite spot “The Legends Bar” where celebrations and commiserations went long into the wee hours of the morning (actually 5:40am Monday, morning).
We have included photo’s of the after party in our gallery.
Shane would like to thank his Team - Matt Gardner, Dale Sawkins, Jason Dreager, Brendon Baker, Luke Pye and Cameron Vella.
And also all of his sponsors - The Lindenvel Group, Precision Marine Refinishing, Seabold Racing, Signaction, Duwalt Propellers, BTW Communications and Castrol.
Without the continued support of my team and sponsors, I could not do what I do. Your generosity of time, money, parts and products is greatly appreciated.
On behalf of the Shane Vella Racing Team, a huge thank you to you our fans for your support. I hope that I have the opportunity to race in 2011 and look forward to seeing you all in 2011.