Australia’s leading Formula GP powerboat drivers are heading this weekend to their second new venue for the 2022 AFPGP Championship. This will be the final deciding round at the town of Moree in Moree Plains Shire in northern New South Wales, Australia.
Following the dramatic and sensational third round at Rathmines, where six boats were involved in three different incidents, resulting in several craft sustaining heavy damage, the organisers are hopeful of an incident free event with close and competitive racing to captivate it the spectators.
Formula GP series leader Rhys Coles (Butler Vehicles) was one of those caught up in an incident at round three and has had to acquire a replacement D.A.C. hull from CC Grand Prix to compete this weekend hoping to keep his championship hopes alive.
Coles will be challenged hotly for the championship by Sam Lucas (RM Marine Jackson) and Simon Troy (888 Racing). Lucas also had to recover from a big incident at round three, whilst Troy is keen to add another Championship to his resume’ and has proven in past seasons he can find the performance to win when it counts.
Ewan Bricker (Team Bricker Racing) is one of just a few others capable of causing an upset this weekend. Bricker returns for the final round after disaster hit him while running with a strong chance of winning until gearboxes failed in the first two rounds.
Dean Allison (Allison Racing) is another returning after a round three incident and he along with Paul Sain (Trim King Racing), Kye Cornall (117 Motorsport) and Riley Whellam (Whellham Racing) will be all keen to challenge for podium positions.
At the other end of the power scale the Championship for the Junior J3 Class is still to be decided, however Adam Frankham (Quiver Jnr) has a commanding lead ahead of Blake Fowler (TBR Jnr), Blake Frankham (A Little Twisted), Tyler Gilliam (Epic 1), Ella Gilliam (Epic 2).
The program runs over both Saturday and Sunday with support events for Inboard Displacements, Formula V (V Hull), F3 & F4 and Vintage and Veteran boat runs.
Images supplied by Mike ‘Crash’ Cleary
