You
could say that Paul has a love / hate relationship with
the Bridge to Bridge. He has entered Impatient every year
since it was built. The '94 Bridge was actually the boat's
first race, and it looked like it was going to be a fairytale
start to the boat's career, but this fairytale didn't
have a happy ending. Paul was leading the race, all the
way up the river until he got to the ramp at Pitt Town
(approx 3 - 5 kms from the finish) when a pushrod went
through the block. Since then Paul has only managed to
finish the Bridge once. A kinked prop shaft and other
mechanical problems have been the other causes of frustration.
2000
was the year that it all came together for Paul and Impatient.
It certainly didn't seem like it just a few days before,
as he damaged the 5 litre motor he had built for the race
while testing. The motor that went in the boat was a tired
old 4.2 litre that he had sitting on the floor of the
workshop. Much to Paul's surprise, Impatient not only
finished the race but did it in just over 41 minutes,
averaging approx 103mph.
Paul
entered the Bridge again this year, but wasn't given the
chance to back up his previous performance. While waiting
around in the starting area, the driving rain was causing
a lot of water to find it's way into the boat. Paul fired
the motor to head off, but the flywheel sprayed some of
the water around, effectively killing the electrical system
in the boat. By the time Impatient was towed back to the
ramp, it had so much water in it that it had to be physically
held up until the trailer arrived.
The
ultimate goal for Paul, is 1st outright in the Bridge
to Bridge.
The
Top End Sprint, from Sackville to Windsor, has been a
little more kind to Paul and Impatient. In '95 he placed
3rd outright. An outright win in '96 was the next welcome
result.
One
year Paul travelled up to Raymond Terrace to get his 100mph
badge in the Kilo Trials. A testament to the Howard Hydroplane
design, the boat achieved a fantastic speed of 120mph
with a stock 4.2 litre motor.
Paul
got into boat racing via another avenue. He drove a friend's
Mono Outboard on the ski race circuit. He even circuit
raced the same boat a couple of times. One day he had
a drive of one of Graham Howard's older boats and thought
"these things are alright".
The
boat has still been a regular entrant in the Bridge races,
Dargle and Windsor Spectaculars, even though time has
been tighter, for Paul, since starting a family in the
last couple of years. A strong indication of his enjoyment
of the sport was shown earlier this year, when the only
thing that could keep him away from the Dargle event was
the birth of one of his children, leaving the driving
duties to Rick Howard.
Paul
would like to send out a big thanks to Graham Howard for
his continuous assistance with Impatient.
