Duff Daily in Australia

[John Howe]

So far, Duff is the 3rd fastest qualifier in the K-boat world championship "Down Under". There`s 25 boat field and several qualifying rounds remain.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1Z73FB2ABc

[racer98]

Cool Video...thanks for sharing it. Hope the yanks show the flag well.

[Moneypit]

Thank you, very cool video. IMO we would have a hard time finding a better representive than Duff........Fly that flag proudly.............Go Yanks!!.........Ray

[John Howe]

The outfit that made that clip is producing a DVD for the entire event, and it will be compatible with US DVD players. I`ll let you guys know when and how to obtain it when it becomes available. Go K23!!!

[John Howe]

Bummer! Duff broke just before the start of the final. I know he has a spare motor with him so he should be ready for round rwo next weekend. For a report go to,

http://www.freeforums.in/phpbb/viewforum.php?f=1&sid=f37f7a21cb14139f943af30a69e7a7cb&mforum=apbrforum ,

and click on "world cup results".

[Moneypit]

Bummer! Duff broke just before the start of the final. I know he has a spare motor with him so he should be ready for round rwo next weekend. For a report go to,

http://www.freeforums.in/phpbb/viewforum.php?f=1&sid=f37f7a21cb14139f943af30a69e7a7cb&mforum=apbrforum ,

and click on "world cup results".


Chris Kenner reports that Duff blew a head gasket. Repaired and ready to rock and roll...............MP

[chriskuznetsoff]

John Howe has been kind enough to talk us up at SportsFilm.

We are doing a DVD in an NTSC version for the US market soon. I met Duff, a real nice guy and very humble, he was very popular with the Aussie fans......and very quick. John was also a very nice guy and all seemed to be enjoying themselves here though I suspect Duff will have the fire in the belly for Rd 2 this weekend.

Here is a clip onboard one of the quick guys, Chris Palmer who also was instrumental in bringing the boats over here. He broke in the semis and was a disappointed driver.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JytXuxDJA-I

Cheers

Chris

[Moneypit]

As reported over at HB, the finals of week two were canceled due to rough conditions. I think Duff wound up 5th over all, not sure though........MP

[John Howe]

Duff came out with a third place finish over all. No doubt about it, they`ve got some great teams down under! The winning team is called "Liberty". The races featured very tight turns, and pace boat starts! I`m just hoping it`ll happen again next year so I can make it down myself so I can provide Duff with dumb unwanted advice between heats. I`ll give Duff a call in a few days and and get the story from him.

[Moneypit]

I saw where Duff was 3rd at the first of 2 races, but from what I was reading the second race final was canceled. Do the 2 weekends make up a series? How did he place the second weekend, and how did Chris do in the K1???........MP

[Ron Hill]

I was supposed to send Duff a prop for his Ski boat, but Forgot...When will he be back??? Maybe I can send it Monday and he won't know I was I forgot!!!!!

Duff's ski boat is a "WACKER"... A Chad Hill Mercury on a RAYSON CRAFT OUTBOARD..........(Duff's ski boat is an OUTBOARD???)... Hmmmmm.

This prop business is tuff!!!! Trust me!

[John Howe]

I`m not sure when Duff will be back. I`ll try calling him this weekend. Here`s the link to the final standings.

http://www.udwc.vicapba.com.au/

[PS681 - Chris Kenner]

Well, we made it back safe & sound from the Australian racing trip. It was an awesome time, some of the best powerboat racing & boat counts ever seen in Australia. All round an amazing event & something that will live forever as a great memory. Duff Daily - K23 did a great job to finish 3rd overall in the inaugural 2007 UIM Unlimited Displacement World Cup. John Brinton & I finished a very credible 6th overall with John's K1 boat.

To Brian McCosker & his Liberty team, congratulations mate on winning such a major event, you guys are the best of the best, well done!!! Big congratulations to Geoff Tomkins - Iron Nuts & my little mate "Nugget" Dean Barry - She's The Culprit on your overall placing, great job guys!!! Full results & pictures on the links below.

I would personally like to thank the following people:

Chris Palmer (also the owner & driver of the B.A.D boat "Outlaw") who had a dream & made it a reality. You did an incredible job putting on the first ever UIM Unlimited Displacement World Cup. From the financial side right through to the organizational side of it all. A huge thanks to Chris, his family & Palmer's Plumbing & Hardware. Without Chris, this kind of event would have never been possible. Thanks so much mate for all your efforts & time. Myself & the boat racing community world wide greatly appreciate it.

To Paul & Sheree Madill, The Australian APBA (Tony Walsh, Russell Embelton, Rob Psaila & team), the Upper Hawkesbury Powerboat Club, the Victorian Speedboat Club, Alan & Joy Smith from Dargle Valley Boat Club, all of the volunteers, race drivers & teams, rescue teams, race officials, event sponsors & anyone else that was part of the event that I may have missed here. This was a huge team effort. Thank you very much to all for your hard work, making us feel so welcome & making this great event happen. Your efforts are greatly appreciated.

A huge thank you to Duff Daily for recommending me to John Brinton, to drive John's K1 boat for the 2nd weekend of the World Cup in Melbourne. John Brinton, thank you very much for giving me the chance to drive your boat & trusting me with it. I appreciate this opportunity more than you will ever know guys. The great friendships that I have made with both the Daily & Brinton family's will last a life time I am sure, I had a great time with you all.

Without the huge support of my brother Bryan & his company KenaPak Flexible Packaging, I would not have been able to get back home to Australia for the 2 weeks, thanks so much for everything bro!!! You are the best brother & mentor that anyone could ever wish for.

Our crew - My good mates from Brisbane, Australia Scott Davidson & Grant Davidson. Two of the hardest working crew guys you have ever seen bouncing between 2 boats, awesome job guys, absolutely second to none. We could not have done it without you. Also to Rhonda, Delaney, Desiree & Dustin Daily & to Joan & Little John Brinton. All you guys rock!!! Thank you.

Jeff Brochheuser owner of Loud N Proud Racing - Thanks so much mate for your great continued support with everything & for loaning me your new SRP driving suit for the Aussie trip. Appreciate it greatly.

Al, Scott & Tracy at SRP - Security Race Products. Thank you very much for your support & keeping me safe with the best safety gear available in powerboat racing.
If there is anyone I have missed, thank you very much & please accept my apologies for missing you.

Hopefully this event will happen again. I got to meet a lot of great new people & met up with some old family & friends that I had not seen for many many years. If you missed it this time around, don't miss it again as it was an incredible life experience. Take care & see you all soon at the races.

Kind Regards,

Chris Kenner

If you haven't seen some of the video footage from the Windsor round of the UIM World Cup in Australia, here it is, awesome stuff. Click on the link below & there's 3 different videos to watch. Also links to pictures & full results below. DVD Videos will be available soon to purchase from both weekends. Info below as well.

Results & Pictures - www.udwc.vicapba.com.au

DVD from Windsor Round 1 - www.sportsfilm.com.au

Pictures - www.allracephotography.com.au/onwater/

More pictures - http://www.tareepowerboatclub.org.au/html/world_cup_rd1_07.html

Video - http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=windsor+bad+boats

[Ron Hill]

Great report..

Do you see any of the boats "DOWN UNDER" using different approaces to there design? Or is everryone somewhat on the same page??? Seems they get more out of shape than our K Boats and then they same them? Do most K Boats hafve wings???

[PS681 - Chris Kenner]

Great report..

Do you see any of the boats "DOWN UNDER" using different approaces to there design? Or is everryone somewhat on the same page??? Seems they get more out of shape than our K Boats and then they same them? Do most K Boats hafve wings???

Ron, a lot of the Aussie K-boats or as they are called there B.A.D Boats - Blown Alcohol Displacement boats run wings. Over the years they have found that the wings work very well on bigger course's (long straighaways) to help keep the back on the boat a lot more stable in the water where speeds are up over 130 -145mph +. Anything under that & they are mostly there for show, they do look very cool on the boats I think!!!

The overall design of the Aussie hulls are far more advanced than anything that is available in the USA in a flatbottom or GN design boat & I say that with no disrespect to the USA manufactured boats in anyway, shape or form. We have some very nice & very fast boats in the USA but the Australian manufacturers have really developed their designs over the last 10 years. Bear in mind the Aussie boats are also a lot more forgiving to drive & will handle in any water conditions far better than a flatbottom with the rounded stepped sides & the 2 - 4 degree shallow V bottom designs they have. In turn the Aussie B.A.D boats can also have more horsepower put throught them. Like anything though a good driver can make these boats look good or bad.

To give you an idea of the combination of the Liberty boat that was the overall winner of the 2007 UIM Unlimited World Displacement Cup that is owned & driven by Brian McCosker.

Brian's boat is an 18' shallow V bottom Childsplay Marine design. He has 2 engine combo's that he runs.

1. 366 ci small block Chevrolet, all aluminum, Brian's own design cylinder heads, rockers, manifold & fuel system, 1271 blower, injected on alcohol, running around 60% over in the blower. This engine makes about 1600 hp +

2. 410 ci small block Chevrolet, all aluminum, Brian's own design cylinder heads, rockers, manifold & fuel system, until recently had a PSI blower & switched back to a 1471 blower I beleive, injected on alcohol, running around 60% over in the blower. This engine makes about 2000 hp +

Brian's boats are extremely fast & are a master piece of engineering from front to back, top to bottom. See the link to his website below for further information. www.libertyspeed.com

Hope this helps give you a bit of an overview. Let me know if you have any other questions.

[John Howe]

WOW Chris, that really is a tremendous piece of journalism! I hope to read more from you, and meeting you, come August at the flat bottom nationals in California. JH