For those of you wondering "what is this crazy stuff!?"

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The world of circuit powerboat racing in this form is relatively unknown, despite being around since the early 1900's. A relatively untold secret of Australian sport, circuit racing on water is one of the most spectacular events on the world racing calendar.

Similar to the field of Formula 1 outboard racing, circuit racing at the ASBC involves multiple raceboats in short sprint races in an all out hell-for-leather dash to the finish.

Safety first - the Don P. Farrell Rescue Boat.

Traditionally there are 3 types of races that can vary in length:

Scratch Race- All boats must line up parallel to the start boat when the white flag is held aloft by the race starter. Once happy with the starting arrangements, he proceeds to quickly drop the flag which signifies the beginning of the race. Hold on to your hat when this happens.

Handicap Race- The clock at the control tower begins it cycle. Each driver milling in the waiting area has been given a time (relative to their lap times) at which they are allowed to cross the starting line. The idea being that all boats will be finishing at around the same time.

Le Mans-Typically used around F1 powerboat circuits, the Le Mans race is the same as a Scratch Race, differing only by the starting method. All boats are lined up along the bank with a brave crew member holding it and driver in readiness. The control tower sounds a horn which begins the race, and drivers must then start their engines and GO!

6 litre racing is often the closest in the country

Where this form of racing is unique, it includes not only a wide variety of different classes (see table below) but a wide range of craft types, including outboards, inboards, displacement hulls (like ski boats), tunnel boats & hydroplanes. Making things even more interesting are the mixed class races, where specatators can see B.A.D boats taking on the best F1 boats in the world in what have so far been some of the most exciting races ever witnessed.

It would appear that anyone exposed to the sport, be it competing or spectating, will find themselves in some way drawn back to it. Some would say it's the pure uniqueness of what the sport has to offer- there's nothing else quite like it.