This year the Great Race, held the 18th of August 2018, had no less than 7 competitors in the fastest 130 mph class that did the longest course (104 miles)- a record not only for the Trinidad & Tobago Great Race, but also a better showing than many international powerboat races.
Motul Monster – Photo credits: Gerard Wilson Photography
Four times Class champion, Motul Monster, won the A Class, despite excellent competition, which included 2nd placed USA entrant Lucas Oil Silver Hook. The fastest boat to Tobago set a UIM record time of 47 minutes 43 seconds and a finishing time of 1:01:40 at an average speed of 123 mph. The record run started
at the capital signal marker after they finished their circuit and ended on the second marker in Store Bay.
Gulf Iron Man – Photo credits: Gerard Wilson Photography
The Skinner family, which are Budget Marine shareholders, and their racing cohorts continued their long involvement with this 50 year old race. Gulf Iron Man rounded out the A Class finishers (there were 2 DNF’s in this class – not unusual in this tough type of racing) in a time of 1:18:00, and for a boat that two months ago almost sank and had to have an almost complete rebuild, just finishing their course of 104 miles was a victory in itself.
Heat wave – Photo credits: Gerard Wilson Photography
In the 80 mph Class Heat Wave placed 2nd, finishing their 83 mile course in just 1.14. 48. Budget Marine was proud to be one of the smaller sponsors for these 2 competitors, with the Budget Marine logo nicely visible.
While the specialized racing machines in the 8 different classes of this challenging sports event have very different requirements from Budget Marine’s average customer, the Trini store was abuzz in the lead up to the event, keeping frontline staff busy.
