However, amongst the hoards of racers, two teams stood out in particular. Two boats that would dominate the decade and go on to become icons of the sport.
This is the story of the fierce rivalry between God’s Gift and Gotta Be Crazy.
Originally driven by Noel Kelly, Gotta Be Crazy started racing in the early ’90s. The yellow terror from Cairns boasted an 18ft 6inch shallow vee Stephens hull and was powered by a 460 cubic inch Big Block Chev with twin turbochargers, intercooler and electronic fuel injection.
According to Ray Hall Turbocharging, “The engine produces 1150hp at 6200rpm and drives via a Vee dive with a 70% step up to an 11 1/4" X 15" pitch two-blade prop. The boat carries 55 gallons of aviation fuel, weights 3/4 tone and has a top speed of 132 mph.”
God’s Gift is perhaps the most famous race boat in Australian water skiing history. It was slightly longer than Gotta Be Crazy. In fact, it was the first 21ft Stephens hull. On board, it was powered by a fuel-injected 500 cubic inch Rodec motor with twin turbochargers.
Owned and built by Graham Ritchie, this fluro beast (painted by Racepaint) first burst onto the scene in 1991 and set the standard for how a boat should look and race!
In 1991, when Gotta Be Crazy first made the 3300km journey from Cairns to Echuca/Moama, driver Noel Kelly had never even seen the Murray River before. Only 2 days later, he was racing in what some call “the toughest race on Earth” - the Southern 80.
Determined to be one of the best performing teams in Australia, Gotta Be Crazy completed the 1991 Southern 80 with an average speed of 140.3kph and a time of 35:04. Unfortunately, they didn’t make it to the podium though. Mercury Bullet (one of the most legendary Bullet Boats of all time) took outright winner that year. But that didn’t stop the Cairns team from returning for another crack…
Not right away, however. In 1992, Gotta Be Crazy did not appear at the Southern 80 event. Instead, the crowd was enthralled by a shiny newcomer, God’s Gift, who finished 4th in the Bakers Blitz (7:44 and 131.89) and 6th in the Expert Class (44:44 and 109.98kph).
When Gotta Be Crazy did return to the Murray in 1993, they did it in style, becoming the first-ever team to finish both 1st in the Bakers Blitz (7:25 and 137.52kph) and 1st in the Expert Class (33:48 and 145.56). They were only 14 seconds off the record set in the previous year by Thundernuts (33:34). The team consisted of driver Noel Kelly, observer Peter Sharp and skiers Ray Brennan and Mark Pickering.
Gotta Be Crazy had landed a historic first one-two punch combo.
After finishing 6th outright in both the 1992 and 1993 Southern 80, the team at God’s Gift knew they had the potential to become champions but couldn’t seem to find their groove.
However, the fact that they were up against the unstoppable Warlord in 1994 didn’t help their chances of a win. This iconic 2100 Bullet Boat twin rig won all the major races in Australia over a three year period, including the 1994 Southern 80 with a time of 33:44 and an average speed of 145.85.
Just to rub salt in the wound, Gotta Be Crazy also took the Bakers Blitz in 1994 with a time of 7:18 and an average speed of 139.72kph.
However, the team at God’s Gift had a trick up their sleeve. Local skier Jamie Oliver had already enjoyed back-to-back Southern 80 victories with Island Cooler in 1989 and 1990, before joining driver Graham Ritchie behind his twin-turbo in 1995.
Everything seemed to fall into place for God’s Gift when at the 1995 Southern 80 they won the Bakers Blitz (7:03 and 144.68kph) and set a new winning record in the Expert Class (32:38 and 150.76kph). In doing so, they beat both Gotta Be Crazy (scratch) and Warlord (33:30) and knocked a whopping 56 second off the previous 1992 record held by Thundernuts (33:34).
God’s Gift had become only the second team in history, behind Gotta Be Crazy, to win both events in the same year.
They weren’t messing around anymore - this team meant business.
Check out our brand new Southern 80 1996 God's Gift merch.
In 1996, the Southern 80 was anyone’s race. The talent in the field was outstanding - Argo, Thundernuts, Showdown, Mercury Bullet and triple rig Mr Walker were but a few of the big names on the drawcard.
However, it was Gotta Be Crazy that outshone the lot of them, stealing back the outright record with a time of 32:33 (151.15kph) - defiantly knocking another 5 seconds off the record set a year earlier by God’s Gift. Plus, they even took second in the Bakers Blitz with a time of 7:22 (138.46kph), finishing just behind Argo (7:15 and 140.69kph).
God’s Gift didn’t finish the 1996 Southern 80, having to retire early. However, they certainly finished the 1995 Sydney Bridge to Bridge in style, claiming first over the 110km race with a time of 35:33.
Gotta Be Crazy had won their second Southern 80 outright and set a new record.
Little did we know that that was the last time that we would see Gotta Be Crazy for a long time - 14 years in fact.
Gotta Be Crazy did not return to the Southern 80 in 1997 due to the increasing costs of running a superclass ski race boat.
Instead, Argo returned to win the 1997 Southern 80 outright (32:42), with God’s Gift finishing a fair way behind in 6th (35:06).
By the time 1998 rolled around, God’s Gift was rearing to obtain that elusive 2nd Southern 80 outright win.
And so they did.
Finishing in first place with a time of 32:02 (and an average speed of 168km/h), God’s Gift set a new record and took a substantial 31 seconds off of the previous 1996 Gotta Be Crazy record.
This earned skier Jamie Oliver his 4th outright win at the Southern 80, a record for a skier at the time which later led to his induction into the Hall of Fame.
To top things off, God’s Gift also won the 1998 Blitz with a time of 7:08. This made them the first team to win two double-doubles (Outright + Bakers Blitz) at the Southern 80.
A fitting end to a legendary rivalry.
Check out our custom-designed Southern 80 1999 God's Gift range.
After winning the 1996 Southern 80 outright, Gotta Be Crazy did not return to the Murray River until 2010. Under new ownership, the boat never seemed to find its winning form again. By the looks of things, it still races occasionally in various social events but it is hard to tell exactly where the boat is today.
God’s Gift is a different story.
For years, rumours swirled online about the whereabouts of the glorious God’s Gift. One forum contributor suggested that the boat had been sold to a wealthy Japanese man and taken overseas, only to be bought back and returned to Australia a year or two later.
We can’t validate the truth behind this claim.
What we can tell you, however, is that God’s Gift met a rather unfortunate end in 2001. During a high-speed testing session for the Mildura 100, a blade came off the propeller and went through the bottom of the boat. This sent the boat barrel-rolling across the surface of the water and destroyed it. Luckily, driver Graham Ritchie was pulled from the water unhurt.
After the incident, God’s Gift was cut in half down the middle. Half of the boat now sits on the wall of the American Hotel in Echuca - Graham’s favourite drinking hole. The twin-turbo motor was sold off and used in God’s Rival, the spiritual successor to God’s Gift.
Savage Force carries a huge range of vintage Australian water ski racing merch. Head to our homepage to find all of our custom-designed collections, including:
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Whilst it’s impossible to list every legendary Bullet Boat (there’s simply too many), we have tried our best to capture a few of them here.
Many of the Bullet Boats and racing legends mentioned in this article will be present this weekend at the Bullet Boat 50th Anniversary Event.
Savage Force are proud supporters of this event and will have our limited edition Bullet Boat 50th Anniversary Range on sale both at the event and through our website.
A massive thank you to Richard Cleaver, Eric Selwood, Wade Bennett, David Toyer, Steve Thompson, Ken Evans and everyone else who has contributed to the Bullet Boat online community over so many years - without the information, photos and memories that you’ve shared, this article and the 50th Anniversary Celebrations would not have been possible.
Western Marine was the first 1700 tunnel deck Bullet Boat. It was built in 1977 using a wooden deck.
Only 3 days after its construction, it was entered into the Australian Powerboat Championships at Grafton. Driven by racing legends Ken Evans and David Toyer, it respectively finished first and second in the Unlimited Mono class.
Later, the team developed Western Marine into a 1750 hull and entered it in the Park 7-Hour Endura in Arizona USA. Although the boat was entered by Fiona Cameron (wife of Don Cameron, the founder of Bullet Boats) as a tunnel deck, the Yanky race organizers classified the Western Marine as a tunnel boat. This meant the boat was entered in the Unlimited Outboard Tunnel Class race and has to compete against World Champion Mercury & OMC factory race teams.
Despite the stiff competition, drivers Ken Evans, Brain Fleming and Ted McDermott gave the race more than a fair crack. After the 1st hour, the Bullet Boat was running 4th outright. And after the 5th hour, the boat was running 3rd outright. Unfortunately, their heroic efforts came to a screeching halt when the gearbox broke. With Mercury generously providing a replacement gearbox, the team had Western Marine back on the water soon after, eventually finishing 11th outright.
Soon after the boat returned to Australia, the Bullet Boats team gave it a complete overhaul. It was then entered into an Australian Power Boat Association (APBA) time trial event. All three drivers aforementioned drivers made runs at speeds over 110mph, making them members of the Evinrude 100mph Club.
If you know anything about Bullet Boats, I’m sure you already know all about the achievements of Bullet One.
But perhaps you don’t know about Bullet One’s early years?
Bullet one was owned and driven by Eric Selwood between 1980 and 1984. On the weekend of May 23rd 1982, Bullet One was entered to compete at the Lake Munmorah speed trials. However, Eric was unable to attend. In his place, Eric had Craig Bailey take Bullet One to the trials.
At the time, Craig was a talented young apprentice marine mechanic and engine builder. On the day of the event, he made a few simple modifications by winding up the motor a couple of turns and fitting a larger prop. That same day, he went on to set a new APBA Speed Record for a mono hulled outboard with a speed of 183kph (113.09mph).
Then in 1986, Bullet One’s new owner Ken Evans strapped a Bendix-injected 2.4ltr outboard engine to the 1750 tunnel deck. The engine was taken from Mercury Racing and was tailored by Ken to meet his own specifications.
That same year, on the flat waters of Lake Munmorah near Newcastle, Ken drove the Bullet One to a new World Water Speed Record for a single outboard vee bottom mono hull. The APBA clocked Ken’s official speed at 194.609kph (120.02mph). This beat the previous world record held by David Toyer (189kph).
The next year in 1987, Ken drove the same Bullet One setup to establish a new Bridge to Bridge Powerboat Race record. His Unlimited Mono record of 37min 52sec still stands to this day.
Ken will be one of the guest speakers at the Bullet Boats 50th Anniversary Event this weekend.
Image taken by Bob Wonders.
Bullseye was one of the last boats built by Bullet Boats founder Don Cameron. Constructed in 2005 with a Kevlar hull and a 2.5ltr Mercury outboard, this 1750 Bullet is extremely light and very, very quick.
How quick?
In 2013 it set a new Mod VP record of 167.378kph (104.007mph) and a new Sports Mono record of 164.14kph (102.00mph) at the Taree Powerboat Club. On the same day, driver David Milton also tried to take on Ken Evan’s long-standing Bullet One record but fell short.
This one flies! No really…
Nicknamed the ‘helicopter boat’, Going Grey is one of the few boats to have ever run the Sydney Bridge to Bridge ski race twice in the same day.
To achieve this feat, owner Peter Ross had the boat suspended from a helicopter using a 20-metre chain. Within 18 minutes, Going Grey had completed its return journey from Windsor to Brooklyn.
This was no small deal. This stunt required permission from Air Traffic Control, Richmond RAAF Base, NSW Roads and the NSW Police (who used 4 highway patrol cars to block traffic while the chopper and its load passed over the Brooklyn Bridge).
Peter will be one of the guest speakers at the Bullet Boats 50th Anniversary Event this weekend.
Energy was an iconic lightweight 1500 Bullet Boat built by Don Cameron. At one stage, it was owned by George McKenzie, who was in partnership with Ken Evans at Western Marine (a Bullet Boats dealer).
In Energy, George went on to win the Australian 100 CU Family Class title, setting an Australian record.
George will be one of the guest speakers at the Bullet Boats 50th Anniversary Event this weekend.
Warlord (or War Lord) has to be one of the most prized families of Bullet Boats. The series included:
The 2100 Bullet twin rig went on to win all major races in Australia over a short period. Owned by Steve Thompson between 1992-1995, its accolades included:
After its championship run, the 1995 twin rig was sold to New Zealand, where it remains to this day. It was recently sold to new owners after many years of successful racing in NZ.
Steve remembers Don as “Not only a great bloke but way ahead of his time in building boats and a very clever mechanic”. He will be one of the guest speakers at the Bullet Boats 50th Anniversary Event this weekend.
This was the first 1600 ever built. In the picture above, you can see it being race tested at St George by Ken Evans - before the 1600 was later added to the Bullet Boats range.
Australia was a lightweight 1750 Bullet made of Kevlar and originally owned by Eric Selwood. It featured a single-seat open cockpit and one of the first (if not the first) Mercury electronic fuel injected engines imported into Australia.
This Bullet was originally built to contest the Parker 12 Hour Endurance Race in Arizona USA. Unfortunately, however, it missed the US shipping departure date.
Australia’s luck changed (somewhat) when it was converted to a ski race boat and shipped to Auckland for the Zone 3 World Ski Championships. During the race, Australia lapped every other boat in the field. However, due to the lower octane Avgas that was being supplied in New Zealand, the engine completely disintegrated as it neared the end of its run.
In the end though, nothing could stop Australia - the team had been so far ahead of its competitors that they still finished 2nd under the first past the post count back race rules!
Many of you will remember Fox, a 1500 (and later a 1500TD) Bullet Boat that was driven by Les Coles (an early peddler of Bullet Boats and a pioneer of outboard racing).
Les will be speaking about old-school outboard racing at this weekends Bullet Boats 50th Anniversary Event.
There were two Mercury Bullets built, both owned by L. Beer. One was a 1750 MOC. The other was a 2000 Bullet UL with twin 2.5ltr outboard racing motors. In the video below, you can see it in action during the 1990 Sydney Bridge to Bridge.
I can’t quite figure out the name of this 1850 Bullet, but I just threw it in for good measure. You love to see it!
Don't forget to check out the Savage Force online store for all of your official Bullet Boats 50th Anniversary merchandise!
]]>Instead, I will jump straight into the amazing story that is Fred’s life.
Enjoy.
Fred Williams was born in the NSW Coastal town of Forster in 1931. The grandson of Captain Peter Williams and the son of Fredrick Williams (a marine engineer), it’s little wonder he was destined for great things on the water.
As a child, he was an enthusiastic swimmer and surfer. After joining the local surf club at age 9 and working his way to the position of captain, Fred went on to win the Australian Junior Open Belt Championship (1949) as well as a handful of other junior surf swimming titles.
But did you know he could also sing? Yes, in his childhood Fred also won first prize in the Taree and District Eisteddfod for boy vocalists under age 13.
In his teenage years, Fred took up an apprenticeship as a carpenter in Newcastle.
One day whilst out in Forster, he and his friends stumbled upon an old garage door. With a bit of encouragement from his mates, Fred put his joinery skills to good use and shaped the metal sheeting into an old-school aquaplane. Desperate to try out his invention, he then visited local Bert Tickner and offered to fix his old powerboat in return for a tow. Low and behold, after a little while, Bert’s boat was up and running with Fred following behind on his makeshift aquaplane.
That aquaplane was the first wakeboard to be manufactured in Australia. But Fred was not done yet.
In 1947, he attended the local bakehouse on Little Street in Forster. Here, he made the first pair of water skis to be manufactured in Australia. He did so by hanging two bricks off either end of a piece of beechwood. He then poured boiling water over the ends of the posts to bend them into tips. Finally, he’d cut down a sandshoe and nail it to the timber to be used as a fitting.
The beechwood boards did the job, but they weren’t perfect. Fred wanted to improve upon the design and create a mould for production. He took some old tallowwood verandah posts from the pub in Forster and gave them to local boat builder Alf Jensen. Fred drew the shape of the mould on the block and Alf cut it out with his bandsaw.
With this mould, Australia’s first water ski manufacturing business was born: Ski-Ace.
During the Christmas holidays of 1948, Fred bought his first boat and aptly called it “Joker”. Around the same time, he bought a green rover to tow the boat with. Naturally, he called it “Freddo the Frog”.
This led to Fred skiing more than ever, which in turn inspired those in the community to also take to the water. During this time, the water skiing scene grew rapidly on the Mid North Coast of NSW. As the sport grew in popularity, Fred saw the need for a local ski club.
In January 1957, he lead the formation of the Forster Ski Club at Pipers Creek. Here, he would attend two twenty-mile training sessions per day whilst coaching his good friend Graham Barclay (State and National Slalom Champion). Fred would drive the Victor J (his first tournament boat) with Graham skiing behind on the first Fred Williams “New Comp Special” Ski.
As a child, Fred nearly drowned during a surf swimming competition at Black Head. A crowd gathered around as his body was dragged from the water and up on to the beach. Little did Fred realise, however, that in that same crowd, watching on, stood his future wife and life-long partner: Betty.
It wasn’t until some years later that Fred actually met Betty whilst taking a break from his apprenticeship. It must have been love at first sight because the couple married in 1952 and have been together ever since. Fred’s been quoted as saying “She’s been the biggest support to me through everything; she’s an amazing woman.”
In 1959, Fred co-organised the 1st Forster Speedboat Race with his life-long friend Wally Hall. The event was a great success and drew entries and visitors from all over NSW. Following the popularity of the event, Fred and his friend Harry Alcorne purchased their first racing powerboat. Naturally, Fred named it “Betty”.
This started a long illustrious racing career for Fred. Over the coming decades, he owned and drove numerous famous racing boats including Ron-Also, Goldfinger (1 and 2) and Buster. Perhaps the most famous of Fred’s boats however was the legendary RAGE IV.
RAGE is remembered as one of Australia’s most decorated racing boats. Beloved by all for its sleek red and yellow design, RAGE went on to win the coveted Stuart Doyle Gold Cup (established in 1933) and the Jack Rushton Memorial Trophy for Australian Unlimited Displacement Speed Boat in 1979.
Fred’s water ski’s started to gain major attention after Graham won third place in the world slalom championships. Riding off the back of this success, Fred and Betty moved the business to Sydney in 1962 and won a major contract with Australia’s most famous sporting store, Mick Simmons.
With this move, Fred’s Williams Water Skis became a household name in Australia. Dozens of champions skiers began to use his water skis. After setting up the Ski-Ace factory and a marine dealership in Burwood, Fred quickly became renowned as the largest waterski producer in Australia. The business also branched into producing wetsuits, vests and other water sports equipment.
But Fred refused to let success go to his instead. Instead, he devoted even more of his time to supporting those in the burgeoning Australian water skiing scene. During this period, Fred was a:
As if being the largest water ski manufacturer in Australia wasn’t enough, Fred Williams Water Skis went on to become the third-largest in the world. Then, in 1981, they were awarded for their outstanding efforts by being named the best international waterski manufacturer at the prestigious Vapor Trail Awards.
During this era, Fred and his family would tour the world with Australia’s best skiers. On these trips, he would develop designs for new skis and equipment that would help Australian competitors gain an edge over international rivals. In 1979, Aussie skiers Bronwyn Wright and Wayne Ritchie respectively became the first World Water Ski Racing Champions. Later, Robbie Woods became the only man in the world, at the time, to win the USA Nationals twice. All of them used Fred Williams skis.
But the rest of the world wanted to get in on Fred’s secret as well. And they did. In 1964, world champion Chuck Stearns visited Australia and helped Fred to develop his first “Concave” ski. Similarly, when Europe’s best skiers visited Australia in 1978, they were quick to make use of Fred Williams’ superior racing skis.
Even Prince Charles used a Fred Williams water ski - ‘Black Max’.
Fred’s legend extends beyond the water. At the height of his success, Fred was also a major sponsor and supporter of motorbike and speedway racing in Australia.
In 1969, the Fred Williams Marine Speedway team won the NSW Side Car Championship Trophy. Later, Graham Young would also go on to enjoy national success at the Australian Side Car Championships on a Fred Williams sponsored bike.
In 1972, Fred and his family decided it was time to head north to Newcastle again. Here, they set up a new factory in Gateshead and relocated the family home to Belmont.
It was during this period that Fred found a new passion - sailing. For years, Fred could be seen sailing around Lake Macquarie on his 30 ft. Diamond Class Keel Boat ‘Mistress Kate’.
Fred and his racing team went on to win the Lake Macquarie Yacht club line honours many times.
In 2014, Fred was inducted into the Australian Water Ski and Wakeboard Federation’s Hall of Fame. He’s been quoted as saying that his induction “was the icing on the cake for what has been a tremendous career”.
Today, Fred is retired and lives in Forster.
Lastly, we would just like to note the character of the man.
I think that Sandra Ferguson said it best when she wrote “This hyperactive man, through good fortune and bad, has never failed to give a helping hand to all who have come in contact with him. The names are too numerous to mention but we all thank you sincerely for your dedication which has made our sport what it is today and for contributing to Australia now rating as a leading nation in the world of water skiing.”
Fred, you are a legend, loved by many. Few people are more deserving of being recognised for their contribution to the sport of water skiing, let alone Australian manufacturing. We are proud to carry on your legacy in any way we can.
]]>Why?
Because you might never see our prices this low again. If we take our prices any lower, we’ll be taking a loss.
Between 1st - 8th April, you can pick up fresh Savage Force gear for a pittance. And the best part is, you can access the sale from anywhere. We’ll be selling in-store, online, on-the-road, and on-the-river.
We want to clear out shop and make room for new ranges. Once we sell out of our existing stock, we can’t promise that it will ever come back.
If you want new merch, grab it this week!
Where: Savage Force HQ, Echuca
When: Thursday 1st April - Thursday 8th April
What’s on Sale:
Where: https://www.savageforce.com.au/
When: Thursday 1st April - Thursday 8th April
How: Discount applied automatically at checkout
What’s on Sale:
Where: Mildura Powersports Show ‘n Shine @ Mildura City Heart
When: Good Friday (2nd April) from 9 am - 1 pm
What’s Happening:
The Mildura Powersports Show ‘n Shine promises to “showcase the best of Mildura Powersports with ski race boats, motor-cross bikes, drag racers and speedway cars all on display plus utes, motorbikes, vans, minis, muscle cars and many more!”.
The Savage Force Merch Trailer will be there with a stack of stock on board, including sales items and our most popular pieces!
The Savage Force Pontoon Boat will be punting up and down the Murray all weekend, dishing out deals on the water. We will have the boat in:
But if your local watering hole is Wagga Wagga’s Lake Albert, the situation is even worse. It’s been 3 years since the lake was last able to hold an event.
This weekend marks a turning point for our water ski community. Hopefully, it also shines a light on the issues at Lake Albert too.
The Water Ski Challenge Shield was first held on Lake Albert in 1976. That same weekend saw the tragic death of Australian trial champion and racing legend Barry Carne during the final heat. Ever since, the Barry Carne Ski Race has been held on the second weekend of May, subject to water levels.
And therein lies the problem - water levels.
Lake Albert has always struggled with fluctuating water levels. Consequently, ski racing events on the lake have always been touch-and-go.
Between 2000-2010, we only saw 5 races run. Years of ongoing drought saw the lake hit a record low level of only 200 millimeters (7.9in) in February 2010.
In fact, things got so bad that in 2009 the event was relabelled the "Barry Carne High and Dry". Instead of a race, a static display was held at the Wagga Wagga Boat Club and a community meeting was held with the local council members to discuss the future of Lake Albert.
Sadly, recent years have not fared much better. It has been 3 years since we last saw a ski event held on Lake Albert. Another Barry Carne High and Dry event was held in 2019 to shine a light on the issue and re-open discussions with local government. Yet little ever seems to change.
There is a bigger issue at play here. And the locals are taking matters into their own hands...
Copious amounts of dead fish. High levels of faecal coliforms in the water. Blue-green algae outbreaks. Fears of a Ross-River Fever outbreak.
These are just some of the concerns that Lake Albert locals have had to live with over the past 20 years. So, it’s little wonder that they’re fed up with the situation and beginning to put up a fight.
Earlier this year, Commodore of the Wagga Wagga Boat Club Mick Henderson admitted to illegally installing shutters on a drain near the lake. He told the ABC that “he had been frustrated by the lack of progress on finding a permanent solution to the lake's low water levels.”
The local community didn't mind though. In fact, they supported him. After Mick was fined $750, Wagga Wagga City Councillor Paul Funnell set up an online fundraiser to help pay the fine. It raised more than double the amount needed in no time at all.
Mick went on to say “We tried to work with the council… where are we? Still here 10 years later. Same conversation, same place.”
So what is being done to fix the problem? And how can we help out?
Only in the last few months has Wagga Wagga City Council begun talks with NSW Water Minister Belinda Pavey about finding a long-term solution. The Council has proposed a pipeline from the Murrumbidgee River to the lake.
However, the council has also accused the local community of being ‘deadly silent’ when it comes to finding a solution. Commodore Mick Henderson denies the allegations outright, saying that the community has put forth several ideas and never heard back from the Council.
The Outboard Extravaganza this weekend will be a great time. It’ll be the first time that the Australian water ski race community has got together in over a year. But it is also an opportunity for us to make a statement and show support for our friends in Wagga.
Let’s rally around Lake Albert this weekend and show the government just how important this water source is. Not only for the locals, but for the wider community and businesses all over rural NSW and Victoria.
The Savage Force team will be there all weekend and we hope to see you there too.
Let’s turn the Outboard Extravaganza into a draw-card event that can run every year. Not just one every blue moon.
]]>A place for peace and quiet. A place for Friday night footy. A place for the boys.
We know that a lot of our Savage Force customers are also fans of the man cave. So we’ve put together this list of accessories that every river rat should have in his man cave.
Is your place up to scratch? Find out below. And tell us, would you like to see Savage Force create merch specifically for the man cave?
After a scorching day on the river, you crack open a couple of cold ones and lay them out on your iconic Southern 80 bar runner. Precipitation drips off the bottles and is wicked away instantly by the rubber runner. No clean up afterwards. Does life get any better?
Bar runners available in 10 different styles and colours - including limited edition God’s Gift, Blown Budge and Showdown runners.
Everybody does framed jerseys. Not many do framed tees. It’s a shame, because they bring massive nostalgia to the man cave. If you’ve got a tattered old tee in the wardrobe, fold it so that the graphic is centred and then whack it in a frame. The results look unreal. And every time you walk past it, you can think about the good ol’ times.
Here’s a couple of vintage tees that’ll make your man cave iconic.
These seem to be all the rage at the moment. I remember seeing them at every bar I went to in the 90’s as well. So why not give your man cave that retro feel and whack up an awesome neon light. It will help you when you stumble to bed in the dark as well.
I know you want Island Cooler on your wall. Or Hellrazor. Or the special edition Blown Budget Banner. You want to show off the iconic boats of your generation and tell the grandkids about them one day. Who could blame you. These banners are as legendary as the boats themselves.
Banners available in 9 different styles, each with an iconic boat.
How else are you going to keep the beers cold (and you’re favourite food hidden)?
Nothing brings more energy to a room than a couple of powerful pictures on the wall. And for fans of Australian water ski racing, it doesn’t get much more powerful than a 1350hp V8 doing 210km/h down the Murray. Just imagine some of these awesome Savage Force photo prints up on your display wall.
30 different photo prints available to liven up your man cave.
Remember the old set of skis your old man still has from the 70’s? Why not pull them out of the garage, dust them off and hang them on the wall with pride. Great for adding a touch of family history to the man cave.
These are conversation starters. Mix things up by grabbing a heap of different styles and colours. You’ll never run short of yarns to spin and memories to reminisce on. And no matter how long you bang on for, your ice-cold longnecks will never go warm.
Stubbies available in 14 different styles and heaps of different colours - including the iconic 1989 Rolco stubbie.
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Folks can’t get enough of our merch at the moment.
We want to make sure that all our customers can get their favourite piece of gear before it sells out. So we’ve put together this list of our top sellers for March.
If you want any of this gear, be sure to grab it now!
Seriously - all 5 of these merch ranges are selling like crazy and some of them have extremely limited stock.
Usually, we see the Robinvale 80 being run on the first weekend of March. Unfortunately, we won't be seeing it this year - but we will be kicking back and enjoying a longgg weekend.
To celebrate, we’re running a ridiculous Robinvale 80 sale both in-store and online. We want to get rid of all our 2020 Robinvale merch and start preparing for next year, so we’re basically giving it away!
If you come and visit us in-store between Saturday and Monday (6th-8th March), you’ll get a mammoth 70% off all of the Robinvale 2020 merch:
But you can only get the 70% discount if you visit us in-store at Savage Force HQ this weekend!
If you can’t get to the store, it’s ok. You’ll still be able to grab a 25% discount on all Robinvale 80 merch through our online store. The online sale starts Thursday and runs through to Monday night. 25% is still a massive saving so make the most of it!
Plus, we’ll have the Savage Force pontoon boat putting around on the Murray near Echuca on Sunday. If you’re on the water, say g’day because we might have a few bargains for you onboard!
There’s no doubt that the iconic God’s Gift 1999 Southern 80 range is our most sought after merch right now. People know that this is going to be vintage.
It’s a limited run and the demand is massive. We’re struggling to keep up. Almost all of the gear is gone now, but there’s still a very limited supply available online and in-store. Have a look right now and grab what you can. You’ll probably be able to find the size you want, but colour options are limited.
Don’t miss out, we might never run this range again. This could be your last chance to grab a vintage classic!
Australia’s biggest race, the Southern 80, would’ve run last month. But it’s cancellation hasn’t stopped people from jumping on the merch like a pack of hyenas.
This merch range is one of a kind.
Why?
Because it might be the only merch made for a race that was never run! It’s rare and people love that. In years to come, you’ll be able to sit down and tell the kids all about how the pandemic ruined our plans, but not our spirits.
Plus, the design is just sick. It screams ‘Aussie Legend’!
There’s limited stock left, but you can still grab the last of the historic Southern 80 2021 merch before it’s all gone!
Ah, yes. Arkham 99. Probably the hottest boat in Australian water ski racing right now.
You guys can't seem to get enough of them. So we’ve teamed up with the boys to become their official merchandiser. You won’t find Arkham 99 merch anywhere else!
We have created this OG line of gear specifically for the mean-looking Arkham 99 boat. It’s the first of its kind and will go down in history as a classic.
But we’re running out of stock fast. So if you want to be one of the first people in the world to own the original range of Arkham 99 merch, jump in now.
Racing fans have been p#ssing their pants with excitement in anticipation of Hoonstock at Bonnie Doon!
Unfortunately, Covid saw our Hoonstock plans cancelled in February. But that didn’t stop a large showing of revellers at Lake Eildon.
We took the Savage Force Merch Trailer out for a spin and folks went nuts for the newly released range of inaugural Hoonstock gear.
The lads organizing the event still plan for it to go ahead in the next few months. And when it does, it will be glorious!
So be sure to grab some awesome Hoonstock merch now before it all sells out over the next few weeks. You might be one of the only people in Australia to own merch from the very first Hoonstock at Bonnie Doon.
That’s something you’re going to want to hang on to. Because I’ve got a feeling that this exciting new event will be around for many years to come!
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We’ve trawled through YouTube and put together this list of 10 must-see clips from the Southern 80. There’s a bit of everything on here – broken records (and broken boats), close calls, supreme skill, nineties nostalgia and even a few laughs.
Before we begin, massive shoutout to water skiing legend Wade Bennett and everyone else who’s videos feature here. Wade’s Youtube channel is a paradise for lovers of Australian water ski racing and has every sort of clip you could ever dream of.
It doesn’t get any hairier than this. If it wasn’t for the remarkable reaction time of Nothin But driver Stephen Hewitt, this could have been one of the worst accidents in Southern 80 history. Thanks to Geoffrey Hewitt (the observer on-board) for uploading this clip. Geoff held on for dear life but clashed with Stephen during the spin, breaking the drivers forearm. ‘A small price to pay considering what could have eventuated’ says Geoff.
Ahh, whatta year 2000 was. We’d just entered the new millennium, Sydney was hosting the Olympics and the Australian water ski racing scene was pumping. You only have to watch this clip to see the depth of talent that was running in the Southern 80. Top Shot was in record breaking form, Showdown wasn’t far behind and The Sting was right on their tail. Even Cinders makes an appearance!
If you want to own a rare piece of history, you have to check out our Heritage range. The iconic 2000 Southern 80 race has been immortalized forever in some awesome tees, singlets, stubbies and bar runners. But it won’t be around forever, grab it while you still can!
This clip proves that there’s more to racing than just the size of the motor. In 2013, Merc Force skier Jake Teggart came within inches of taking out this spectator at 120mph. Check out the skill and the strength he displays to save the bloke from being wiped out. You can’t tell me that water ski racers aren’t athletes!
If you’re a fan of Jake and the Merc Force team, you have to check out their official teamwear. Who doesn’t love that spiderman design!
Here’s another trip down memory lane. The gorgeous God’s Gift being shown off in the static display before towing skiing legends Jamie Oliver and Wade Bennett over the finish line of the Bakers Blitz at 158.9km/h.
If you’re a fan of this beauty, you need to grab some of the beloved God’s Gift merch, custom-designed to match the retro style of the boat.
Another Southern 80, another close shave. Little Man was leading the SMOC Expert race in 2013 when a spectator on the riverbank came a little too close for comfort. Nearly took out the dog in the water as well. Take a look.
If you’re a fan of the classics, you’ll love this clip! In 1986, the iconic Rolco set a record time of 36:18, knocking a full 2 minutes and 7 seconds off the previous record held by Rolco IV (1982). Rolco was driven by Murray Price, with Gary Price observing. The duo went on to win outright again in 1988 with a new record time of 36:12.
Legends never die! If you want to show your love for the Rolco, take a look at the official merch here. It’s a best seller though, so be quick.
Everything was shaping up nicely for the Syndicate in 2010. The team consisting of Garry Rudd (driver), Boyd Edwards (observer), Kevin Vahtrik (skier) and Danny Cooper (skier) had taken several wins that weekend, including the Veterans Over 40s and the Bakers Blitz. Unfortunately, everything came undone in the Superclass race and The Syndicate was totalled when it left the water and took to the bush at 110mph. Amazingly, everyone survived the crash, with the same team coming back to take 2nd place in 2012 (beaten only by the iconic Hellrazor). How legendary!
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to be strapped to the back of a twin turbo at 120mph, this might be as close as you ever get. The electrifying clip was filmed by either Daniel Graziano or Daniel Cotton whilst skiing the Bakers Blitz in 2012. Both of them went on to win the Southern 80 outright in 2020, driven by Darren McGuire and observed by Steven Robertson. I’m nervous just watching it!
Show you’re support for the Superman team and pick up some of their merch. We have event singlets and banners featuring this beast of a boat in all her glory!
One more piece of nostalgia for old times’ sake. And this one’s a gooden. In 1991, Island Cooler was coming off of back-to-back record-breaking wins and was looking to make history with a third straight outright. But at 5.30am on the morning of the race, owner and driver Dennis ‘The King of the Murray’ Rowbottom wasn’t happy with the boats speed. He decided to rush it back to Lake Eppalock and transplant the motor. With 5 minutes to go, Island Cooler was nowhere to be seen. Watch what happens.
P.s. This Island Cooler banner is just too cool to ignore.
I just had to throw this one in for good measure. Wait until the end - some of the best commentary I’ve heard.
She’s not wrong though is she? The lads at 99 Psycho Clowns are killing it at the moment and you can find all of the official Arkham 99 merch right here at Savage Force.
]]>Well, we thought it was about time that we set the record straight. We’ve trawled through the race archives and put together this list of the most dominant boat from each decade (1970s–2010s). The next time this topic of conversation comes up around the campfire, you’ll be armed with the facts.
Leave a comment on Facebook letting me know who I forgot and who your personal favourites are. There are some absolute classics on here, but I’m sure to have missed one or two.
In 1975, Australia switched from the imperial system (miles) to the metric (km’s). That same year, the race that had traditionally been known as the Southern 50 was renamed to become the Southern 80. A total of 47 entered the race.
That same year, Suicide III enjoyed its first outright win, marking the start of a legacy. Two years later, Suicide became the first boat to ever win back-to-back races in 1977 (with a time of 42:05) and 1978 (with a time of 43:30). The iconic wooden boat also broke the 5-litre record in 1976 and the 6-litre record in 1977.
All three outright wins were driven by racing legend Lenny Retallick. As an early pioneer of the Southern 80, Len was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2019. Skier Roy Turner also joined the Hall of Fame in the same year, having played a vital role in the 1977 and 1978 wins.
Today, Suicide is still a crowd favourite but goes under a new name – Cinders.
The early 1980s saw the Southern 80 begin to attract serious crowds, with a total of 103 boats entering the race in 1981.
In 1982, the event was won outright by the Rolco IV with a time of 38:25. Then, the Rolco VI took the honours in 1984 with a time of 40:30. Both of these wins were driven by the late great Ted Hurley, who dominated the decade and also lead Recovery to an outright win in 1987 with a time of 37:15.
After it’s 1984 victory, the Rolco VI was sold to Murray Price who renamed the boat simply as Rolco. However, the legend didn’t end there. Rolco went on to again win outright in 1986 (time of 36:18) and 1988 (time of 36:12). Both wins were driven by Murray himself.
If you’re a fan of the Rolco, you have to check out our heritage 1989 Southern 80 merch. The custom-designed vintage tee with Rolco on the front screams ‘I love the classics!’.
This list just wouldn’t be complete without including the iconic supercharged Island Cooler. It was the first boat to record back-to-back Southern 80 victories since Suicide in 1978. Both wins were record-breaking, with a time of 35:03 in 1989 and 34:18 in 1990 (for an average speed of 140km/h). This marked the first time that a boat had finished the race in under 35 minutes. Hall of Famer Leo Welch was the observer in both races, before driving The Mistress to victory in 2016.
Add some eye-candy to your mancave and pick up one of our Southern 80 Outright Winner Banners today, featuring an awesome Island Cooler design that can’t be found anywhere else.
The 1990s saw the start of two day racing at the Southern 80 and attracted over 300 entries each year. But two iconic boats in particular stood above the rest and dominated this decade with a fierce rivalry: God’s Gift and Gotta Be Crazy.
Gotta Be Crazy from North Queensland landed the first punch in 1993, with an outright victory and a time of 33:48.
However, the team at God’s Gift had a trick up their sleeve. Local skier Jamie Oliver had already enjoyed back-to-back Southern 80 victories with Island Cooler in 1989 and 1990, before joining driver Graham Ritchie and his twin-turbo. In 1995, God’s Gift took the outright victory and set a new record with a time of 32:38.
A year later in 1996, Gotta Be Crazy hit back again with another outright win and a time of 32:33.
However, God’s Gift got the last laugh, ending the rivalry in 1998 with another outright win and a new record time of 32:02 (at an average speed of 168km/h). This earned Jamie his 4th outright win at the Southern 80, a record for a skier at the time which later led to his induction into the Hall of Fame.
Savage Force carries a huge range of vintage God’s Gift merch. If you're a lover of this legendary twin-turbo, grab one of the custom-designed tees or singlets to show off at the next event.
The 2000s was a decade of upheaval for the Southern 80. In 2007, an unfortunate incident between two social boats meant that the race had to be shortened. Then in 2009, the race had to be abandoned as emergency crews were called away to assist with the Black Saturday bushfires.
However, throughout the ups and downs, one boat in particular managed to remain consistent and build a legacy for itself: Hellbent.
The 1500hp 8.4-litre Big Block Chevy V8 was revolutionary for its time. Owner and driver Mark Cranny and veteran ski racer Stuart Thomas (who was also an observer on God's Gift), poured years of research and development into making Hellbent an absolute beast of a boat.
All that hard work paid off in 2005 when Hellbent claimed its first Southern 80 outright win with a time of 32:46. The team went back-to-back the next year with an outright win in 2006 and a time 31:37. Finally, Hellbent enjoyed one last outright victory in 2008 and set a new record with a time of 30:43.
Mark Cranny drove all three of Hellbent’s victories, joined by Damien Matthews as observer. However, the successful duo was not done yet. In fact, they were only just getting started…
It’s hard to complete this list without mentioning crowd favourite Blown Budget, which won the Southern 80 outright in 2003 with a time of 31:42. What made Blown Budget so popular was the team’s comeback story. Driver Michael Dominguez and skiers Brett Dominguez and Steve Morley had won the event outright a full 11 years earlier with Thundernuts.
You can find a huge range of classic Blown Budget merch on our Savage Force website. It’s one of our most popular lines and it sells out quickly, so grab it now while it’s still in stock.
The 2010s brought with it a new era of teams and boats that were at the forefront of racing technology. But Cranny and Matthews weren’t done raising hell just yet. In fact, they’d only just begun.
Before driving Hellbent to success in the late 2000s, Cranny had enjoyed one outright win in 2002 with Hellrazor (time of 32:33). It would be another 8 years before we saw Hellrazor return to the podium. But once she was there, she was there to stay.
In 2010, 2 years after the Hellbent record, Hellrazor took the outright win and set a new record with a time of 30:32. The Hellrazor team, consisting of Cranny, Matthews and skiers Jason Walmsley and Peter Proctor seemed to be a winning combination.
It was this same combination that led Hellrazor to win outright in a flooded Murray in 2011, with a respectable time of 58:52. Then again in 2012, Hellrazor took the title with a time of 30:37 (this time without Jason Walmsley). And again in 2013, Hellrazor scored a fourth outright win with a time of 30:36.
After becoming the first boat to take 4 back-to-back titles, many were left wondering whether Hellrazor had anything left to prove. But indeed, they did. In 2015, the Hellrazor team returned the podium one last time, smashing their previous record and becoming the first boat in Southern 80 history to break the 30-minute barrier with a time of 29:43.
The mainstay Hellrazor team currently stands as the most successful team in Southern 80 history. Marc Cranny has enjoyed more victories than any other driver, with 9 outright wins in total. He shares 8 of those wins with observer Damien Matthews (who also won 1 title as a skier with Island Cooler). Jason Walmsley is the most successful skier in the event’s history, with 6 outright wins in total. He is closely followed by Peter Proctor with 5 outright wins.
You can immortalize Hellrazor in your own mancave or workshop with one of our custom-designed banners. Now there’s some extra inspiration for you to get out to the shed!
It’d be wrong of us to leave out back-to-back winners Merc Force in a special mention. It’s teams like Merc Force, Arkham 99, Agitator, TR and Superman which will be paving the way for the Southern 80 in the 2020s. We can't wait to see these guys pushing the limits of the sport in years to come.
We have a huge range of Savage Force teamwear online and in-store. Check out our fresh designs and get in before they're all gone.
]]>The team at Savage Force refuses to let a bit of bad news ruin an awesome time. And we're not going to let it ruin your holiday either!
That's why we've put together this list of the 6 best things you can do in Echuca this weekend. You'll find something for ski-lovers and motorheads of all ages.
Let’s rally together a make this weekend unlike any other! There may not be a race, but when the water-skiing community comes together in one place, that can only mean one thing – a cracker time!
Why do fans of Australian water ski racing call this place a ‘must-visit’? Because Savage Force HQ carries more ski racing merchandise than anywhere else in the country! In fact, we’ve got too much and we need to clear it out this weekend! We’ll be selling a range of our famous custom-designed tees for as low as $5. Yep, you read that right, only $5. But this deal is only available in-store and it’s only available this weekend (Friday 12th- Monday 14th Feb), so be sure to get in here early for your pick of the stock.
But that’s not all! We’ve managed to snag the legendary two-time Southern 80 winner (1989/90) Island Cooler, which will be on full display in-store for visitors to check out and grab a photo with. This is a rare chance for ski-fans to check out this iconic boat, so be sure to jump on the opportunity and see her in all her glory! And as always, the crowd-favourite Agitator is here for you to see as well!
And if all that isn’t enough for you, here’s one more reason: FREE SAUSAGE SIZZLE! That’s right – FREE! Feed yourself, feed the kids, feed Grandma – all for the price of absolutely nothing. You won’t find a cheaper meal than that anywhere!
No race means no river closure. And that means that we will all get the chance to strut our stuff on the Murray this weekend. Hell, you can pretend that you’re racing the Southern 80 if you want to. Just get your driver and spotter to throw on one of these bad boys and you’re all set. But be warned, you’ll probably have crowds flocking for autographs on the ramp.
The Savage Force Pontoon Boat will be doing the rounds on the river all weekend. We like making life easy for our customers, so we’ll be bringing a few bargains and package deals directly to you on the water. Onboard we'll have a huge range of all the latest merch, with custom-designs made especially for the Southern 80 2021 event. If you see us cruising up and down, say g’day and grab something to remember your weekend by forever! But remember, if you want to grab a $5 tee, a free sausage sizzle and the chance to see the legendary Island Cooler in person, you’ll have to head in-store.
Whether you’re into boats, buggy’s or beers – Echuca and Moama have something for everyone. The paddle steamers might struggle to hit 190km/h down the Murray, but they still offer an unforgettable experience for families who love the water. And the National Holden Motor Museum and the Great Aussie Beer Shed are always crowd favourites. So, make the most of this weekend. Take a break, kick back and relax whilst also supporting local businesses. The locals will thank you for it.
There are some great pubs in Echuca but the famous American Hotel and the 1895 Royal stand out as two of the most popular. If you’re heading to either of them for a schnitty or a Sunday roast, why not drop by Savage Force HQ on the way. We’re only a 2-minute walk down the road from both pubs and our free sausage sizzle will serve as the perfect entrée! You can also check out our monster sale and the iconic Island Cooler in all her glory. Or if you’re the kind of person who prefers a drink at home, why not grab one of these beauties.
You won’t be seeing the Southern 80 this year, but we’ve got another boat race up our sleeve for you. This one is probably best left until after dark though. Beer On A Table is exactly what it sounds like. Two teams on either side of the table, each player with a cup of beer. When one person finishes, they put the empty cup on their head and the next person starts. The first team to finish wins. If your teammates are too slow and your beer's getting warm, just whack it in one of these.
]]>Round | Winne 1 (Year) | Design 1 | vs | Winner 2 (Year) | Deisgn 2 |
1 | Rolco IV (1989) | vs | Blown Budget (2004) | ||
2 | God's Gift (1996) | vs | Gotta Be Crazy (1997) | ||
3 | Mercury Bullet (1992) | vs | Showdown (2000) | ||
4 | Thundernuts (1993) | vs | Top Shot (2001) | ||
5 | Island Cooler (1990) | vs | Argo (1998) | ||
6 | Hellrazor (2003) | vs | Warlord (1995) | ||
7 | Island Cooler (1991) | vs | God's Gift (1999) | ||
8 | Gotta Be Crazy (1994) | vs | The Sting (2002) |
The results as of today are:
Head here to see the latest match:
Round 1, Match 6: Hellrazor (2003) vs Warlord (1995)
With enough support we may also hold a #1 Design tournament for our second sixteen years: 2005 - 2020.
Comment on the Tournament on our Facebook if you want us to reprint classic favourites!
]]>Click here to check out the exclusive stubbie holder range, available in black, blue, grey, or pink. Also, shop by the end of this weekend (11:59pm Sunday, 26 April 2020) to receive not only 40% off the ENTIRE 2019 Mildura 100 range, but to also get a FREE 2018 Southern 80 Full-on Cap. Browse now.
]]>Media Release – Mildura Ski Club, 26 February 2014
Mildura Ski Club has announced some exciting changes to the annual GTS Freight Management Mildura 100 Ski Race held over the Easter weekend. Already carrying the title of the world’s fastest Ski race it’s now going to occur side by side.
In what will be a spectacular change in format the expert classes on Sunday will all now start two at time from both the Mildura Ski Club site and Wicketts turn around point. Two Superclass teams will start every two minutes with the remaining expert class starting two away every minute. “Our competing teams have provided the drive for this change which will allow teams to further show their skills, and we also believe this will be a safer format” according to Mildura Ski Club President Geoff Thomson.
The Saturday afternoon Dash for Cash and Presidents Dash event will now be increased with a total of 40 teams competing for starting positions in the main race Sunday, previously only the “Superclass” was seeded. “Starting position for the Sunday expert event is crucial so spectators should expect competitive times from these teams” Mr Thomson said. Not only is a seeded position on offer, prize money has also been made available for the Presidents Dash.
Managing Director of major sponsor GTS Freight Management, Damien Matthews, who is also observer for reigning outright champion Hellrazor team, has welcomed the changes to the already popular event and believes that this will take the event to a new level of excitement for both spectators and competitors.
With huge entries at the Southern 80 and the Robinvale Euston 80 the Mildura Ski Club are expecting higher than normal entries. The event starts Good Friday with the Sandbar Show n Shine, Social Racing and the Dash for Cash on Saturday and the Expert classes on Sunday. Local participation in water ski racing is at unprecedented levels with at over 10 local teams expected to compete. Also appearing this year at the Mildura Ski Club site is the popular Ski Show.
Enquiries Geoff Thomson 0418 502618
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