Superboats to bring Fast and Loud to Lake Macquarie

Get set for great action on and off the water at this year’s Offshore Superboat Championships.

The weekend of great offshore racing action will be held on 14–15 October, and this year the Lake Macquarie City Council presents ‘Fast and Loud’ in which the four classes of Superboats will race 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 past few years across Supercat Extreme, Supercat Outboard, Super Sport 85 and Super Sport 65. Even the Day Racer category, where you can go 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.

Coming back across the ditch is Ryan Shan’s 26ft Shifty Cat, which was built as a 25-footer in 2004 for the 2005 season, which it then won, as well as 2006, and 2007 in the 3-4L 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 two-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. 

The Superboat 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 85m/h Super Sport class before advancing into Supercat outboard.

Entertainment galore

It’s not all about the fastest boats, either with a number of family-friendly lakeside activities. On the Saturday night, Australian music lovers are set for a stellar line-up of live entertainment 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 the onsite bar. There is a ticket deal to take advantage of — two tickets for only $70 (plus GST and booking fees). Tickets can be purchased here.

On Sunday, the Newcastle Restored Vehicle Club Inc will stage a free vintage car show and shine event in Speers Point Park for vintage, muscle, classic, custom cars, hot rods and motorbikes. There are more than 42 Lucky Car prizes, along with 10 trophies. 

Antony de Fina, Commodore of the Australian Offshore Powerboat Club which administers the OSC, said: “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.”

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. 

“The weekend delivers the high-end technology of motor sport with the thrill and excitement of powerboat racing and showcases what a world class waterway Lake Macquarie is. Several Day Racer entries have applied to be in the 65m/h and 85m/h 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 event is possible thanks to support provided by Destination NSW, Roads and Maritime Services, Lake Macquarie City Council, Dantia and its 200 club of supporters, Empire Marina Lake Macquarie, Wilson Lift, and Crown Lands.

Racing commences on Saturday at 12noon to 12.30pm for the first event for the Super Sports 65 and 85 classes. They are followed at 1–1.30pm 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 11am with the second race for the Supercat Outboard and Supercat Extreme classes. The two Super Sport classes have their final race at 12noon, 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