Congratulations to Jordan Sonter and Cortney Sonter for first and second placings respectively in the 2015 J3 Formula Future Championships, held at Deepwater Motor Boat Club on 24 January 2015. Jordan and Cortney, driving ‘TNT’ and ‘Bad Company’, beat a strong field to show their skill as the best in the country.
The New South Wales State Council has advised that the combined Australian Championships, schedule to be held at Griffith, have been cancelled.
This decision was taken for a number of reasons, including the lack of entries for the event with less than half of the allocated Championship classes having the required four bona fide entries at the closing date (3 October 2014).
The NSW Council will be seeking the approval of the National Council to postpone the classes with enough entries to run and conduct them at dates and venues in NSW, to be advised.
The National Authority has published a summary of all rule changes for the upcoming race year – available here.
Not too many changes this year compared with some previous years 🙂 Main areas of change are in Blown Lites, sample testing for reinforced cockpits, setting of a maximum age for harnesses and changes to restrictions on radio communication with drivers.
As always, the actual rule book is the authoritative source and you should check the wording there before taking any action on the changes.
South Queensland Power Boat Club will be holding its next club race day at Yeronga on 30 November 2014. This is a great opportunity to enjoy a day of low-pressure power boat racing and, if nothing else, a great opportunity to do some test and tune work on your boat.
All classes will be catered for – call Mary McMillan on 0408-756631 or Grant Jones on 0408-278 792 for further information or to advise the club that you’ll be competing.
Venue is Brisbane Corso, Yeronga:
[googlemaps https://maps.google.com.au/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=237+brisbane+corso&aq=&sll=-27.629285,152.375951&sspn=0.022623,0.042272&t=m&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=237+Brisbane+Corso,+Yeronga+Queensland+4104&ll=-27.505531,153.016548&spn=0.091355,0.102997&z=12&iwloc=A&output=embed&w=300&h=300]
At the recent State Council meeting, Fees for all Queensland APBA licences for the 2014-15 year were decided. Due to reductions in public liability insurance costs, fees have been able to be kept the same as the previous year and are as follows:
| Owner/driver | Driver only | Owner only | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Formula Future | 100 | 50 | 50 | |
| Full year | Restricted | 400 | 350 | 50 |
| Full year | Limited | 400 | 350 | 50 |
| Full year | Unlimited | 550 | 500 | 50 |
| Half year | Restricted | 275 | 225 | 50 |
| Half year | Limited | 275 | 225 | 50 |
| Half year | Unlimited | 375 | 325 | 50 |
| Day licence | 150 | 100 | 50 | |
| Novice licence | 150 | 100 | 50 | |
| Single event licence | 150 | 100 | 50 | |
To renew your licence or obtain a new licence, contact Chris Leeson on 07-3422 0309 or at qldapba@gmail.com.
You can also send completed forms with payment to 52 Grunert Street, HOLLAND PARK QLD 4121. Forms are available from here.
Don’t forget the last race day of the current season this Sunday at Yeronga!
Competitors please phone either Grant Jones on 0408-278 792 or Mary McMillan on 0408-756 631 to advise if you are competing. Also, have a great day!
Two dates have been set for reinforced cockpit and Formula Future orientation tests. Note that it is mandatory for all Formula Future drivers to attend one of these tests before renewing their license, as required by recent rule changes. If any Formula Future driver cannot attend one of these days, please contact Linda Sonter on 0407-759 649 or at wlsonter@virginbroadband.com.au.
Dates and venues are:
30 August 2014 12:00 noon
31-35 The Chase, FORESTDALE QLD 4118 (Google maps)
(The Partridge family and the Gold Coast Power Boat Sports Club will hold a sausage sizzle on this day)
7 September 2014
181 Commissioners Flat Road, PEACHESTER QLD 4519 (Google maps)
Drivers must bring their own safety gear for the tests.
The APBA Qld State Council general meeting scheduled for 2 August 2014 has been changed to 9 August 2014 at 2:00 pm.
The venue has also been changed to K&S Freighters, 34 Postle Street, COOPERS PLAINS.
Postle Street runs parallel with Beaudesert Rd between Boundary Rd and Kerry Road on the eastern side of Beaudesert Rd. Google Maps.
Good luck to all Queensland competitors heading to Port Macquarie this weekend for the final round of the Anglomoil Australian Formula Powerboat Grand Prix Series for 2014! The championship for all categories has come down to the wire and several drivers are able to win.
Race hard, but race safe!
Keep up to date with AFPBGP events by liking their Facebook page.
Watch the Laidley PowerFest round of the Blown Lites series on Foxtel’s Aurora Channel on the following dates/times:
Keep up to date with future broadcast times on Liquid Horsepower’s Facebook page.