australian offshore powerboat racing

Australian Offshore Powerboat Club

Welcome to AUSTRALIAN OFFSHORE POWERBOAT CLUB

The Australian Offshore Powerboat Club aims to promote and grow both grass roots and professional Offshore Powerboat Racing.

UPCOMING RACES

Wyndham Harbour, VIC

February 25 & 2 6, 2024

Geelo ng, VIC

March 16 & 17, 2 024

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2023 offshore superboat championship – superboats to bring fast and loud to lake macquarie.

Indeed they are! So get set for great action on and off the water over the weekend of 14 and 15 October, as the Lake Macquarie City Council bring you Fast and Loud. The four classes of Superboats will be racing on both days in a circuit encompassing Marmong Point, to Warners Bay, and also Speers Point.

The appearance of new teams and staying power of dominate forces in the Offshore Superboat Championships (OSC) highlights just how much the re-energised sport has taken off in the last couple of years across Supercat Extreme, Supercat Outboard, Super Sport 85 and Super Sport 65. Even the Day Racer category, where you can come along and try your hand out on the water, has seen each round of the series attract those that are keen to give it a go.

Darren Nicholson from the all-conquering 222 Offshore team said, “As a team we’ve had a great year away racing. Winning the Class 1 World Championship has really topped it off, but there’s nothing quite like racing on home waters.”

“It’s really special for me to come home to Lake Macquarie and race on the water I grew up sailing on… kind of feels like I’ve come full circle in some respects. It’s a nice feeling knowing we’ll be finishing up the Australian series at home, in front of family and friends.”

“We’re bringing the boat down early, and will have a few marketing activations around Newcastle. We’ll be at the newly opened Gym on King on Wednesday 11th October. We’ll also be down at the Belmont 16’s Skiff Club on Thursday 12th October, even putting the boat in the water for a run, so we welcome everyone to come down and say hi.”

Coming back across The Ditch (Tasman Sea) is Ryan Shan’s 26-foot Shifty Cat. It was built as a 25-footer in 2004 for the 2005 season, which it then won, as well as 2006, and 2007 in the 3-4 litre class. It was lengthened in 2006, and also has the pedigree of being the first to be raced offshore in Australia with Mercury’s venerable 200XS 2-stroke high performance dynamos with their distinctive exhaust note. Paul Gibbs and Paul Fowlds raced it superbly, and very famously under the Hog’s Breath livery, before it was sold to Mick Walker Racing to become Tiger Racing.

It was subsequently sold to BC Racing in New Zealand who bought two new Gen II 200XS powerheads for the boat, but ultimately decided to sell it. Ryan purchased the historic craft in June this year, and will race initially in the 85mph Super Sport class before advancing into Supercat outboard.

As a softly spoken, and Gentleman Racer type, Shan epitomises the advancement up the scale, as he previously raced an open cockpit boat. Quiet? Perhaps, but dedicated and ultra-enthusiastic he most definitely is, and is so totally in the style of new racer the OSC has been attracting for the last little while.

It’s not all about the racing, either. On the Saturday night, Australian music lovers are set for a stellar line-up of artists featuring legendary Australian musicians Skunkhour, who will be supported by local band, SF Wrens. Enjoy a night of live music as MAP mima lights up the night. Bring along a picnic blanket and food and enjoy locally sourced drinks from our on site bar. There is a ticket deal to take advantage of – two tickets for only $70 (plus GST and booking fees) – Secure your tickets now

Photo by AJMcKinnon Photography

On the Sunday, the Newcastle Restored Vehicle Club Inc ( www.shannons.com.au/club/carclubs/newcastle-restored-vehicle-club/ ) will be having ‘the biggest, free show and shine event’ in Speers Point Park for vintage, muscle, classic, custom cars, hot rods and motorbikes. Another free event, head honcho Bill Kalb added, “There are over 42 Lucky Car Prizes, along with 10 Trophies. You don’t have to have the biggest, or the best car or bike to win a lucky car prize, just put your entry in to get drawn out. So mark your calendars now!”

“Lots of folk come for a look as they walk through the park. It’s always a great day. DJ Vinnie is playing the tunes, and we have stalls for coffee, food and soft drinks, as well.”

Antony de Fina, Commodore of the Australian Offshore Powerboat Club that administers the OSC commented, “It is really fantastic that we have completed an agreement to run for another three more years at Lake Macquarie. It is a great venue that also has so many other activities on offer, with multiple vantage points for spectators to watch all four divisions go racing.”

“The round at Lake Macquarie is also the culmination of our 2023 calendar, which is bound to make the competition even tighter, especially in the Super Sport 65 class, where it is very close. Look out for commentary that is broadcast on the FM band at 88.9MHz, and also our live stream that you can tap into off our Facebook page.” ( https://www.facebook.com/OffshoreSuperboats/ )

David Randall, General Manager of the Empire Marina Lake Macquarie said, “We are thrilled to host the Offshore Super Boat Championships back at the Lake again this year. Formerly Marmong Point Marina, and now Empire Marina Lake Macquarie, we have provided the staging and pit facilities since the very first series back in 2016.”

“The weekend not only delivers the high-end technology of motor sport with the thrill and excitement of powerboat racing, it showcases what a world class waterway Lake Macquarie is. Several Day Racer entries have applied to be in the 65mph and 85mph Super Sport categories, which allows the general public to participate, so it will be wonderful to have even more boats racing for the season finale.”

This tremendous event would not be possible without the great support provided by Destination NSW, Roads and Maritime Services, Lake Macquarie City Council, Dantia, and their 200 club of supporters, Empire Marina Lake Macquarie, Wilson Lift, and Crown Lands.

Lake Macquarie Mayor Kay Fraser commented, “Our city is spoilt when it comes to natural assets, but it’s always special when our namesake Lake Macquarie is transformed into a playground for aquatic events and sporting spectacles.”

“The lake is a perfect amphitheatre to enjoy the thrills and spills of the super boats, supported by a raft of community activations at sites right around the city.”

“Whether it’s music, food, boats, cars or sport, Fast and Loud has high-octane entertainment for the entire family to enjoy.”

Racing commences on Saturday at 12 noon to 1230pm for the first event for the Super Sports 65 and 85 classes. They are followed at 1 to 130pm by the first race for the Supercat Outboard and Supercat Extreme classes. At 2pm the Super Sport 65 and Super Sport 85 classes return for their second race. The pit area is open to spectators during the day.

On Sunday, racing commences at 1100am with the second race for the Supercat Outboard and Supercat Extreme classes. The two Super Sport classes have their final race at 12 noon, and then the two enclosed cockpit classes return for their last outing of the season at 1pm, and race again for another 30 minutes.

Presentations are back at Empire Marina at 4pm.

Further information at superboat.com.au

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This site was last updated on the 9/4/24

Welcome to the Australian APBA website.

The A.P.B.A. is a not for profit organization which exists to control, govern and administer, formulate and enforce all racing and safety rules throughout Australia for Competition between powerboats.

It is an "association of associations", the affiliated member clubs are members of their respective State Councils, each with its own constitution. The six states plus the Offshore Council  collectively form the National Council.

Members of the National Executive are appointed annually by the states. Changes to the racing and safety rules are also voted on at the (July) annual meeting by the states and clubs.

It is internationally affiliated with the UIM, the world controlling body of the sport.

If you find information about your state that is out of date or incorrect, please contact your State Council, so they may inform the National Secretary and have it changed.

Club's, Owners and Drivers: What do you want to see here? Send any information via your State Council, and we will do our best to see it  up here.

We recommend you check individual club web sites to confirm race dates, classes etc.

Dates on this site are those advised to the APBA many months in advance. Except for allocated championship events, we have no information on what classes will be at any event .

Recent Updates

All APBA forms can be found here!

Updated Boat & Icident Report, Combined Form Created March 2024

Member Protection Policy   Updated August 2023

Senior Licence Application Form    Updated August 2023

Formula Future Licence Application Form   Updated September 2023

Updated Drone Policy Updated June 2023

Referees Championship Form   Updated August 2023

Event Summary Form   Updated January  2024

Championship Claim Form   Updated August 2023

Updated Boat Owner Form   Updated September 2023

Updated Vintage & Veteran Licence Application Form Updated September 2023

Updated Novice Licence Application Form Updated September 2023

Updated Day Licence Application Form Updated September 2023

2023- 2024 APBA Rule Book Updated December 2023

Offshore Specific Rules   Updated January 2024

Updated Tech Inspection Form Updated Form January 2023

Updated Australasian and Australian Championship Results   NEW

Updated Forms List   Updated September 2023

Combined Senior & Formula Future Entry Form Updated Form March  2023

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Powerboat Racing World

Frode Sundsdal

What is prw.

It’s a powerboat racing website that has covered circuit racing, offshore racing and PWC since 2016. Maintained by The Race Factory based in Norway who have specialists in event planning and promotion, social media, graphic design, and photography. We are currently working on our vision and believe that we can and will make a different in powerboating. We will dedicate our time to produce accurate factual stories and to promote the sport to a wider global audience.

Husband and wife Brett and Lori Luhrmann founded Luhrmann Powersports International (LPI) in 2015. This year, they are simultaneously managing teams in three of the world’s toughest categories of powerboat racing, based in Australia and travelling the world for international championships in other categories.

From an LPI Press Release

Lori and Brett’s LPI achievements are celebrated in the cover story of Nautilus Marine Lifestyle Magazine’s latest edition – a widely read publication.

The article details the newest and biggest addition to LPI’s Team Australia powerboat fleet: a 42-foot catamaran with 1500 horsepower, aptly nicknamed BIG BLUE ROO.

This boat made its debut at the Australian Offshore Superboat Championships in QLD, July 2017. After leading round 1 in Mackay, a disaster struck in round 2 in Bowen.

Within 500m of the finish line on the final lap the portside engine caught fire! Driver Brett and Throttleman Karl Wall managed to stay cool in this intensely hot situation, activating fire suppression systems in the engine and fuel shut-offs that prevented an inevitable explosion.

Escaping the smoke-engulfed cockpit, they helped extinguish the flames.

A Go-Pro camera mounted on the boat captured the frightening ordeal. This footage was shared online by Motorsports TV and has had over 15,000 views!

Both Brett and Karl were treated for carbon monoxide poisoning.

They were eventually cleared by the Doctor but the engine of the beautiful BIG BLUE ROO was burnt out!

Despite this setback, they are now gearing up for Round 3 of the Championships in Coffs Harbour – Brett and Lori’s old hometown.

With the BIG BLUE ROO’s repairs well underway, the boat will be ready to compete in the event on 27 August 2017!

Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, LPI is determined to come back stronger than ever!

It’s not the first time they have faced adversity. Soon after the establishment of LPI in 2015, Lori was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. With treatments now completed, Lori and Brett have raised more than $20,000 for breast cancer in the past 18 months.

Brett was also the champion fundraiser and dancer in the Cancer Council’s 2017 Stars of the Beaches gala, raising over $15,000 and performing a routine based on his brother Baz Luhrmann’s films.

From burning the floors for a worthy cause to escaping death’s fiery claws – Brett is one half of a powerboating power couple on fire!

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© 2024 Powerboat Racing World.

MARITIMO RACING DNA

With our heritage steeped in decades of offshore powerboat racing, Maritimo derives, develops and tests world-class technologies that form the heart of every Maritimo that we create and build, enjoyed by owners the world over.

It is our passion for racing that also creates a culture of competition and success in all our daily endeavours, and drives the individuals and teams within our company, and greater network, to perform at their very peak.

Racing is in our DNA, as too our relentless pursuit of perfection in everything that we do. Racing sets the scene for the tempo and momentum of the Maritimo company, the understanding that races are won by the smallest of incremental advancements over the competition. It sets the scene to not only look at the entire big picture but also at the micro level where all of the parts combine and synergise to create the winning outcome.

Maritimo is unique as the only luxury motor yacht builder in the world with a dedicated racing division and world championship race team all in-house, to provide the intelligence to keep us at the leading edge of motor yacht design and construction.

We will continue to break the barriers of innovation, design, ride, comfort and efficiency to ensure that those who do not evolve are left behind in our wake.

At Maritimo we always question the status quo in everything that we do, the boats we build and the endeavours we are involved in. Our company culture is one that is inquisitive, always looking to build on the knowledge base that we have and to always be better, more reliable, faster and more efficient.

PROCESS & PROCEDURE

Racing teaches so much and not just about performance, integrity and longevity, but about all the elements that support these outcomes. Our racing philosophy and successes influence our working environments and production processes; deliver smarter serviceability solutions, and clever problem-solving systems.

PERFORMANCE & HANDLING

Gruelling racing conditions create a knowledge base that is translated into better outcomes for every Maritimo driver. Our focus is always on the driver experience and the interface between the driver and the vessel, getting the most out of power and drive systems whilst delivering maximum comfort at the helm in an environment of control, trust and stability.

HYDRAULIC POWER STEERING

What we learn when we go racing is directly derived into all the boats we build. Our race proven hydraulic steering systems are ultra-responsive, and deliver effortless control, designed to provide more comfortable time at the helm, in all conditions and for covering vast journeys.

INTEGRAL FUEL TANKS

Maritimo’s patented construction methodology with integral fuel tank design has withstood the rigorous testing of offshore powerboat racing. Racing’s incredible high G Forces and relentless wave impact is the ultimate testing ground for our fuel tank integrity. Ultimate confidence underpins the construction of every Maritimo.

WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION

Stability and balance are critical factors to deliver comfort when undertaking long range cruising. Maritimo’s placement of the fuel tanks near the engines, and therefore around the centre of buoyancy, maximises stability and minimises changes to the vessel’s handling as the fuel is used. The main tank is at keel level to keep the weight low.

MARITIMO RACING

The spirit of ocean racing competition runs deep within Maritimo. Whether it be sail or powerboat racing, our dedication to pursue the endeavours that ultimately challenge and promote excellence are always close at hand. Our founder’s passion for sailing from his early childhood with his family continues to this day.

The Maritimo sailing race team already has many notable achievements in events like Hamilton Island Race Week, and the world famous Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.

The racing passion is also evident even with the lovingly restored Katwinchar, taking out the Grand Veterans Class of the Sydney to Hobart in 2019, the boat the oldest ever to compete and in its 114th year at the time. Maritimo is the only production motor yacht manufacturer globally with a dedicated race team that competes on the international stage of offshore powerboat racing.

Maritimo Racing has beaten the world’s best having been crowned the UIM XCAT World Champions and XCAT Pole Position World Champions, the first team in XCAT history to win both titles and the first non-UAE team to win a World Championship. Other accolades include the UIM World Championship and the APBA World Championship at Key West.

Closer to home we have been a competitive force in Australia with a record 16 Australian Offshore Superboat ‘AUS1’ Championship wins and the UHPBC Hawkesbury Bridge to Bridge Offshore Record.

This intensive racing environment becomes the extreme testing ground for everything that Maritimo does. Data is collected from all aspects and assessed and the ongoing development of the boat is all year round, improving and always refining, power, weight, balance, strength, stability and reliability. The knowledge gained pushing the limits in offshore racing sees advancements in hull design and construction, structural integrity, power, drive line and propeller optimisation injected into every Maritimo we build.

Xcat 2022 Season Preparations

Maritimo R30

The Maritimo designed and built R30 fully resin infused carbon fibre racing powercat is able to compete in Superboat, Superstock or UIM XCAT classes around the world, and has done so successfully being the reigning World Champion in the latter class. It is fully containerised to go anywhere, and changes powerplants from twin Mercury 400Rs, to twin Mercury 300Rs depending on the class.

UIM XCAT World Championship

(Asia, Middle East, Europe)

WEIGHT (with drivers)

2 x Mercury Racing 400 ROS Outboards

CONSTRUCTION

Carbon Fibre / E-Glass

Tom Barry-Cotter

MANUFACTURER

Maritimo Racing Division

Maritimo R40

The Offshore Superboat Championship is Australia’s premier superboat racing series drawing in fierce competition from local, national and international teams at a calendar of events held across Australia. Maritimo Racing’s contribution and competition within the sport is unparalleled and remains the longest active team competing in the Australian Offshore Superboat Championships. Our racing success has been highly rewarding. We celebrate being the ‘Australian ‘AUS 1’ Champions 16 times in our racing career.

APBA Australian Offshore Superboat Championship

(Australia)

2 x 510ci/8.3L

Maritimo Racing N/A V8

Carbon Fibre/E-Glass

Michael Peters

MARITIMO 11

Maritimo’s dominion is not limited to their success in powered vessels, as their mark is just as indelible in sail. Maritimo 11 is a highly credentialed yacht having dominated the South East Queensland Offshore Racing series and having received line honours victory in the 2021 Brisbane to Gladstone, and a second place at Hamilton Island Race week 2022. Originally known as ‘Swiftsure 2’ a Schumacher 54-foot sleek racing yacht was discovered in San Francisco. The boat met all of Maritimo’s racing criteria, and was brought across to Maritimo’s Special Projects Division, where it underwent a refit program at our world-class facilities on the Gold Coast, Australia. Maritimo 11 is skippered by the internationally recognised professional yachtsman Michael Spies, a veteran helmsman having competed in 43 Sydney-Hobarts. Along with internationally famous Navigator Murray Spence, a sailing veteran of almost 50 years having been sailing master aboard Alfa Romeo during its global supermaxi dominance, Maritimo 11 hosts a winning formula.

MARITIMO 11 SPECS

Rolex Sydney Hobart

SAIL NUMBER

Southport Yacht Club

Schumacher 54

Carbon Fibre/E-glass

Carl Schumacher

Westerley Marine

MARITIMO Racing Technology Centre

Are you a Maritimo Owner? Organise a tour of the Maritimo Racing Technology Centre for you and yours friends today…Or organise a track day for your business and clients – Exclusive to Maritimo Owners. Enquire now. 

MARITIMO RACING ON INSTAGRAM

M-Series Flybridge Motor Yachts

• Maritimo M75
• Maritimo M64
• Maritimo M60
• Maritimo M55
• Maritimo M51

S-Series Sedan Motor Yachts

• Maritimo S75
• Maritimo S60
• Maritimo S55
• Maritimo S51

X-Series Sport Motor Yacht

Offshore series motor yacht.

• Maritimo M600
• Maritimo S600

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