TROY Marland driving the Blown Alcohol Displacement (BAD) boat Madness will be one of the headline acts at Taree Powerboat Club’s Easter Classic this weekend.
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Marland has been a dominant figure at the classic in previous visits, generally winning all the major events in Madness.
However, he’s been absent for the past three years due to work commitments in Queensland, where he’s now based.
He’s determined to again stamp he authority on the two-day classic, Taree Powerboat committee member Scott Godfrey said.
“Troy came down to our club day in February to test his boat out and he’s really keen to do well here at the classic,’’ Godfrey explained.
“He’s a member of our club and he likes racing here better than anywhere. We’re lucky to have him.’’
EC Griffith Cup winner and former world champion Grant Harrison from Melbourne is also a definite starter.
Harrison will drive the GP Hydro - GP 1. There’ll be three GP Hydros and nine BAD boats on the river this weekend.
Taree Aquatic Powerboat Club will also have a strong representation led by veteran Jim McFarlane along with Ryan McIntosh.
A number of Australian and NSW championships will be decided over the two days.
Other time honoured feature events on the program include the Geoff Stevenson Memorial, the Commodore’s Cup, Alan Smythe Memorial, Hilton Everson Memorial, King of the River, Liberty Cup, Bradley Pratt Memoral and the Victor Currie Displacement Invitational.
The club has received 70 entries for the meeting, up slightly on last year.
There’ll 35 races on Saturday and 37 on Sunday, with junior events on before the start of the main program on both days. Practice will be conducted on Friday.
The persistent rains of this month won’t cause any problems with the river, Godfrey assured
“But we might have to reconfigure the the pit area to allow for parking because of the wet conditions there,’’ he said.
Providing the weather is kind the classic is again expected to attract big crowds to riverbank vantage points over the two days.