Small boats bring new Great Race vibe

WHEN the Great Race began 55 years ago, small boats were the main attraction as they made up most of the field making the journey from the Gulf of Paria in Trinidad to Tobago. The larger boats like Monster, Solo and Checkmate have become the popular boats over the past three decades, but in this year's event a new class has been introduced which is expected to bring a new energy and vibe to the race.

The TT Great Race is the longest running powerboat race in the world as it has been running non-stop for more than 50 years. The 2023 edition will speed off on Saturday with approximately 25 boats among various classes competing in the 90-mile race from the Mucurapo Foreshore, Trinidad to Store Bay, Tobago.

It will be a staggered start with the smaller boats starting at 7.15 am. The cruiser (50 mile per hour) class will begin at 7.15 am, followed by the spec and G class (60 mph) at 7.25 am. At 7.30 am the F class (70 mph) will speed off, then the E class (80 mph) at 7.45 am.

At 8 am, the A (130 mph), B (120 mph), C (110 mph) and D (95 mph) classes will begin their journey to Tobago.

Over 20 boats competed in the five-race 2023 National Powerboat Championship series which ended on July 15. The new spec class had the most boats with six competing including Arrow, Kraken, Pandemic, Ballistic, S-Kapade and A-Salt Weapon. The spec category does not have a speed bracket, but all the boats have the same length, same hull and same engine.

Arrow won the spec class in the series series finishing with 5,350 points, and also won the overall title.

Arrow throttleman Jason Reece and driver Scott Knaggs will aim to steer Arrow to the finish on Saturday.

Speaking to Newsday on Wednesday, Reece said he is excited ahead of the Great Race. "The racing started from nothing, little 17-, 18-foot boats (with) single engines going up (to Tobago). It graduated and boats got a little bigger, they got a little faster."

Reece said it is more affordable to use smaller boats giving more people a chance to experience the Great Race. "It went to big boats, but of course big boats take money, a lot of money...millions of dollars. In the heyday which was ten, 12 years ago it was amazing with the big boats running...but now with covid19, even before covid, money became tight...smaller-class racing will survive."

Reece, who is also part of the TT Powerboat Association committee, said the spec class will grow the event. "Any form of racing, you need to get new people in. The old people will get older and they will stop racing for whatever (reason), they may get tired of it and you always need new people."

He explained the spec class boats are not as fast so it will be safer.

Throttleman Gilson Smith of 60 mph boat Timeless said, "Everything is okay so far. We are preparing, doing some final touches on the engine (for Great Race.)" Smith, who will be accompanied by driver Kamion George, said Timeless's engine broke in the second regatta of the series, but they will be ready.

He is thrilled to see the spec class introduced. "I love the spec class. They brought some good action to the racing (in the championship series)...they come to have fun just like us. I love it, it was good action and I wish them all the best."

Smith said the smaller boats have a stiff, friendly competition among themselves. "We really don't consider ourselves racing the bigger ones...we race among ourselves as the smaller classes: the 60, 70, 80 (mph classes)."