In the final, J. Michael Kelly was able to hold Jimmy Shane at bay, and win the race, thus closing the gap between himself and Shane in the championship point standings.
In the last race leading up to Doha, the San Diego Bayfair gave J. Michael Kelly another win to help him and his team in their quest to win the 2014 championship. The eleven boat field quickly was cut down when three teams ran into trouble. The U-12 and driver Greg Hopp ran into mechanical troubles again, and after the first prelim, had to withdraw. The U-9 did not last much longer as the driver would have to forefeit after losing a rudder in the first preliminary, resulting in major damage to the left sponson and rudder mounts.
The U-37, which was renumbered the U-21 in an agreement with the owner of the number, was disqualified by H1 after the third set of prelims when it was found that the team
was using a non-approved part to monitor technical details as governed by the
series.
by H1 after the third set of prelims when it was found that the team was using an unapproved part to monitor technical details.
J. Michael Kelly would win after Jimmy Shane was penalized for not holding his lane during the final.
As the field prepares for the final race, seven of the drivers will be racing to end their season with a win, and three will be battling for the championship title. Jimmy Shane can clinch his second championship with a finish of third in qualifying, the four preliminary heats, and in the final, no matter what, second place J. Michael Kelly or third place Cal Phipps, driver of the U-7 Graham Trucking and teammate to Kelly, does during the weekend. If J. Michael Kelly or Cal Phipps would win the championship, it would be their first and second straight victory for the team. The field will do battle on the bay of Doha on November 22nd.
will do battle on the Bay of Doha on November 22nd.
Check out the races, if not for the mehcncail fascination of the boats, at least to catch a glimpse of the danger involved in this powerboat sport.
"Mate, when thousands of horsepower are congregated in one place, you must realise the potential is there for an accident, it just needs people to be aware and be responsible."
-Arthur Field, crew chief