IT'S now just a matter of days before the Australian Formula Powerboat Grand Prix series fire the first racing salvo for 2012, with Taree playing host once again for the season launch.
There's a real feeling of synergy coming from the categories, with everyone determined to ensure each boat, each team, each driver is prepared and ready to hit the water in full race mode February 17 and 18.
Yanto Kadri from Malaysia will be returning and running in the Formula 2 class; with their ready smiles and generous spirit, Yanto and his team made a huge impression on AFPGP members and will be warmly welcomed back.
With the main game boats sourced from Queensland and NSW, it's looking highly likely there'll be an entrant from the Apple Isle, with Scott Cleary all but confirmed to venture north. Under its former guise, the series had been to Hobart previously, racing on the Derwent River near the Wrest Point casino with hopes for a return.
Numbers for the Formula Futures J3, the most powerful engined section, are looking good, with many of the slightly lower powered J2s moving up. This year will see brothers Damon and Brock Cohen in their final year together in the category.
The Six Litre Pro Stock group is expecting a good turnout, with numbers expected to be at the half dozen by the time the series arrives.
However, it's the Formula 3 category that will have the eyes hot on them when they line up, with numbers nudging a dozen and featuring a mix of veteran talent and young guns, such as Greg Banks.
Banks had a good year in 2011 and has in his sights a run to the 2012 championship
The F2s will feature, as previously mentioned, Yanto, while Tim Bollins will be up against the wily Michael Page, with Parkers Kevin and William, among others, drivers to watch.
F2 champion in 2010, Page says 2011 was "a season to forget" and hasn't really touched the Cullens Carpet One and Blinds sponsored boat since the Port Macquarie round last year. And with the business relocating, Page admits there hasn't been time to look at the boat either.
The "big bangers" of the Formula Powerboat GP series, the Formula 1 boats, are looking to field half a dozen craft, including the boat of Brian Armstrong, featuring season long sponsorship from Toll. 2011 champ, Damien McKenzie returns to defend the crown, with president of the series, Gavin Simmons up against his mate, David Ainley.
Ainley himself has made the move "north", coming from the Sports Monos and brings an impressive trophy chest with him. He came first in the unlimited outboard category for the prestigious Bridge to Bridge last year and returns to Taree with a win in the unlimited outboard under his belt at Easter in 2009. In late breaking news it looks like Shane Vella, a previous F1 champion, may be returning. With Vella being unable to make many of the rounds in 2011, his determined and competitive nature is sure to be fired up. At the time of publication there's an unconfirmed report of a Victorian based entrant also joining the series at Taree.
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