The clock is counting down to a fascinating - Upper Hawkesbury ...

The clock is counting down to a fascinating shoot out between the V8 club
and the outboard revolution in the 72 nd edition of the Windsor RSL Bridge to
Bridge powerboat classic along the picturesque Hawkesbury on Sunday, 4
May.
Australia’s fastest, longest and best known race on a public waterway has
been developing nicely since Queensland nice guy Craig Truslove blew into
town last year with his XLR8 F1 Mercury V6 outboard and lifted the UHPBC
trophy from the prized cabinet.
Before he pounced on the leaders it must be said five time race winner and
record holder Ricky Howard looked to be well on his way to the even half
dozen.
When the propeller on Hyperactive packed up and the spectacular red hydro
came to an immediate stop, Howard recalls he simply opened the canopy and
removed his helmet.
“Anyone who knows anything about this sport realises I had the race done
and dusted, but the engraving on the trophy doesn’t agree,” Howard said
with a wink.
He is the first person to agree the Windsor RSL classic was won deservedly
by the flamboyant Gold Coaster Truslove.
So much for last year, the best is yet to come in the 2008 race between the
bridges.
Truslove returns to carry the #1 numero uno on his spectacular red and
white raceboat while Howard has a bundle of new parts from Canada hanging
off Hyperactive (including a super tough propeller), brother-in-law Paul Vella
will debut a brand new ‘Impatient 2” while Garry Howard is likely to race
‘Impatient 1’.
Vella was runner up last year and the moment the race finished he knew
what he wanted for the 2008 and beyond.
There are any number of regular and reliable runners in the big boats,
including last year’s third placed Darren Greentree in the 351c.i. Ford ski
boat ‘Handfull’, former UHPBC executive David Lindsay and 59 year-old Tony
Bridson who travels all the way from Perth with his boat ‘Tons of Fire’.
He finished fourth last year which justified his enthusiasm in the lead up to
the big day.
Entries are still being received by the UHPBC, but officials anticipate the race
will stretch to 20 categories.

The first wave of boats will scream beneath the Brooklyn Bridge at 9 o’clock
and if conditions are ideal, the winner should arrive at Windsor Marine
Stadium around 9.30am.
The race record stands at 31 minutes 14 seconds to the credit to Ricky
Howard who set the mark in 2000.
After all entrants and support classes arrive at Windsor Marine Stadium the
luncheon break will follow with a spectacular race program to follow on
Sunday afternoon.
Admission prices will be Adults $15, juniors 12-16 $5, pensioners $10 while a
family pass will admit two adults and accompanied children for $30.
Hot food and drink outlets will be open from early Sunday morning so be
there!