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From - Keith. SA
Boat - Nood Nutz 69
Class - LS
Years racing - Not enough
Number of races - Have not kept count
Major achievements - 1st place for an LS event in Keith; Best crash; Life membership for contribution to the sport.
How did you get involved in Jet Boat racing?
Around 1989 my brother and I built one of the first aluminium boats in Australia.
We raced in Shepparton, Albury, Wodonga and Currency Creek.
When I got married and had a family we gave up buying a home and build a mechanical workshop.
Thirty plus years later we were enticed by a mate Glen Simpson into helping build the jet boat track in Keith and then we purchased a Stinger built boat from NZ.
It took Sonya a long time to come around to agreeing to this.
What is it about jet boat racing that keeps you coming back?
The people involved, racing with our son Mitch as a B driver, the mateship and of course the adrenalin rush
What have been some of your biggest achievements, wins or milestones during your racing career?
Having the opportunity to be a part of building the Keith track and having it recognised as the best in the world.
Receiving a life membership award and being on the podium regularly when I remember the rotation.
Do you have a favourite track you’ve raced at and what makes it special?
Keith because it was a great time in my life building it.
What is one race, moment or memory from your career that stands out above the rest?
Rolling our boat in Keith over the spit water signed bridge, repairing the boat and having our son Mitch end up on the podium beating me by milliseconds.
Who has had the biggest influence on you or your racing career?
Daryl Hutton (Hutto), as he is a month older than me, but a true gentleman to the sport.
What do you enjoy most about competing in your class?
Being able to get our set up right on the day and being reasonably quick for a couple of older blokes in a youngish class.
What are you most looking forward to about racing at the Elmore Jet Boat track?
Being part of a new track in Elmore, Victoria. Helping and working with a great team at the event centre.
What do you think the Elmore track and event will bring to jet boat racing in the region?
It will once again put Elmore firmly on the map with superheats returning to Victoria and potentially the world stage.
For someone who has never seen jet boat racing before what can they expect when they come to Elmore?
They will be up close to some super serious horse power in a 500kg tinny cracking in excess of 120km in a 7m wide purpose built track.
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