Well the day has been and gone and a FANTASTIC day was had by all. We had pursuit Hovercraft races being held on the track while spectators watched on in anticipation...

With severe weather warnings current for the afternoon they managed to hold off until just after the race finished which was very lucky.

 A big congratulations to Steve Odgaard for taking out Australia's fastest Hovercraft Driver 2011 and Mark Barclay for coming a close second. Thanks to all contestants who participated in the race.

A massive thanks to Roland Dane, Wyatt Roy, Hilary Weeks (who up until the morning of the race had never driven a hovercraft before) and Angus O'Laughlin & Denise and Bruce Morcombe for taking time out of their busy schedule's to come along and support this fantastic charity race day.

For a full layout of the pursuit races and how they panned out please see below.

RACE OF CHAMPIONS

ROUND 1  (2 LAPS)

ROLAND DANE                    V                   BEN FRISKE     (DFZ)

2:17.56                                                        1:59.66

ANGUS O’LOUGHLIN         V                   LUKE BARCLAY (POPSY)

1:51.43                                                        1:53.00

JOHN HAYES                      V                   KRIS MATTHEWS       (POPSY)

1:53.69                                                        2:00.43

DANIEL BARCLAY               V                   STEVE ODGAARD        (POPSY)

2:09.91                                                        1:54.50

ADRIAN INGRAM?             V                   WYATT ROY     (DFZ)

1:54.90                                                        1:58.65

MARK BARCLAY                   V                   JOHN RUSSELL           (DFZ)

1:57.31                                                        2:20.53

HILLARY WEEKS                 V                   BRUCE MORCOMBE     (POPSY)

1:50.91                                                        2:10.41

ROUND 2 (2 LAPS)

HILLARY WEEKS                 V                   BEN FRISKE

1:47.19                                                        1:48.22

ANGUS O’LOUGHLIN         V                   MARK BARCLAY

2:01.25                                                        1:52.06

LUKE BARCLAY                    V                   ADRIAN INGRAM

1:53.82                                                        1:51.72

JOHN HAYES                      V                   STEVE ODGAARD

1:57.63                                                        1:55.22

ROUND 3 (FINALS) 2 LAPS

HILLARY WEEKS                 V                   STEVE ODGAARD

1:49.84                                                        1:48.65

ADRIAN INGRAM               V                   MARK BARCLAY

1:59.75                                                        1:49.91

RACE OF CHAMPIONS    (3 LAPS)

STEVE ODGAARD    V            MARK BARCLAY

2:42.75                                  2:47.53

Hillary Weeks had fastest lap of the day @ 1:47.19

Average lap speed of the round winners was 57.21 secs

Picture below : Karen Sullivan, Winner Steve Odgaard, Runner Up mark Barclay and Bruce Morcombe

1.   50.62 Luke Shields

2.   52.52 Steven Odgaard

3.   53.47 Robert Elms

4.   53.99 Kaine Thompson

5.   54.38 Ben Shields

6.   55.59 Natahn Jansz

7.   56.18 David Gough

8.   56.35 David Ashby

9.   57.03 Jayden Page

10.                57.13 Brad Best

11.                57.38 John Robertson

12.                57.45 Debbie Rudd

13.                58.06 Peter Williams

14.                58.31 Ross Ellwood

15.                58.44 Brandon Venter

16.                58.78 Tim Mahony

17.                58.94 Shane Roy

18.                59.28 Antonia Sette

19.                59.81 Ian Thompson

20.                59.82 Adam Copier

21.                59.88 George Turner

22.                1.00.05 Sean Weiser

23.                1.00.19 Ben Anderson

24.                1.00.45 Brandon Copier

25.                1.00.62 Adam Honeycombe

26.                1.01.16 Jordan Boyce

27.                1.01.81 Darren Jansz

28.                1.01.59 Kim Carter

29.                1.01.60 John Usher

30.                1.01.61 Christine Goodman

31.                1.01.28 Daniel Boyce

32.                1.02.06 David Wardlaw

33.                1.02.62 Kristen Jensen

34.                1.02.63 Simon Hanau

35.                1.02.75 Alan McDonald

36.                1.03.10 John McIntosh

37.                1.03.35 Scott Lloyd

38.                1.03.66 Rhys Johnson

39.                1.03.97 Susan Cauey

40.                1.04.12 Tom Geoghegan

41.                1.04.28 David Thomas

42.                1.04.28 Martin Dale

43.                1.04.30 Peter Burford

44.                1.04.32 Kieran Harland

45.                1.04.50 Kyle Parmley

46.                1.04.75 Jamie Destant

47.                1.04.78 Chris Demeyere

48.                1.04.84 Jeremy Lennon

49.                1.05.06 Shawn (Project) Brand

50.                1.05.41 Matt Carter

51.                1.05.63 Craig Porter

52.                1.06.00 Christina Scott

53.                1.06.09 Saraya Hope

54.                1.06.41 Steve Zeeman

55.                1.06.69 Kristin Reeves

56.                1.07.25 Daube Schollilt

57.                1.08.66 Muhammad Khalil

58.                1.09.41 Kayleen Starr

59.                1.10.16 Daryl Cheetam

60.                1.10.42 Barry Fowler

61.                1.10.56 Sharneen Gotty

62.                1.12.20 Ben Burford

63.                1.13.66 John Wardlaw

64.                1.19.00 tara Weaver

65.                1.15.13 Rita Chaffey

It was our pleasure to welcome Gary, Lenard & the team from Argo ATV to our track at Caboolture in SE Queensland yesterday for their launch of the new HydroTrek ATV's.

Once they'd finished with their clients, we thought it would be a good photo opportunity to grab a couple of hovers.

The Argo's & Hydrotreks have amazing ability to traverse very challenging terrain and can climb slopes which a mountain goat would look twice at. They also have excellent load carry capacity and are amphibious - slow but able to climb out of the water up demanding banks - albeit leavign a very visible mark on the landscape.

On the other hand, the hovercraft are much faster, more seaworthy and a more practical proposition in a marine environment if any distances need to be covered, they also cause no damage to the environment. It was fascinating to compare the two vehicles and weigh up their relative merits. Argo & Hydrotreks mainly sell for commercial purposes - particularly into mines and for mining emergency and response where they are expecting yet more floods and need to be preapred for the worst if/when it happens.

The result? Horses for courses! No vehicle does it all and they'll both appeal to buyers who want different things from them!

Want an Argo? www.olsen.argoatv.com

If your in the Rockhampton area and would like to see The Flying Fish Hovercraft Marlin II in Action, Well now is your chance. We will have a representative in Rockhampton from This Wednesday 16/11/11 - Saturday 19/11/11. For any Craft enquiries or Demo's please do not hesitate to call. Or if you would just like to see one of our Fantastic Craft in action we will be heading out in the Fitzroy River to have a bit of a play. 

As with Weddings you save the date....

Well we want you to the save the date for our RACE OF CHAMPIONS Charity Race day......

This event is being held on behalf of the Morcombe Foundation. There will be Hovercraft Pursuit races for The Top 10 fastest drivers and also some celebrity Wild card Entrants. Kids rides, A Variety of Food, Live Bands and even FIREWORKS to end the day!!!!

Help get behind Local Business and bring your family & Freinds along to this FANTASTIC Event. Parking will be available on Site so theres no need to worry about that.

Come along and support this Great Charity/ Awareness Event being held at Flying Fish Hovercross Track - 459 Pumicestone Rd, Caboolture, QLD, 4510

Hope to See You all There!!!!!

THE RACE OF CHAMPIONS IS NOT FAR OFF!!!!!

This Wknd is your last chance to try and get into the top 10 fastest drivers. The race of Champions Charity Awareness day which is being held on behalf of the Morcombe Foundation is being held on the 11th of December 2011 at the Flying Fish HoverCross Track at Caboolture... Our top 10 fastest drivers will be invited back to participate in a series of pursuit races. Along with the top 10 drivers we also have some Celebrity Wild Card Entrants which include Wyatt Roy (Local Member for Longman), Roland Dane (Tripple Eight V8 Supercar Boss), Bruce Morcombe (Morcombe Foundation), Angus O'Loughlin (91.9 SeaFM Morning Crew member) And a few mystery guests participating.

There will be rides, Sausage sizzle, live bands, and a great atmosphere. We are shouting out to all families and local residents on the Sunshine Coast & Brisbane Areas to come along and show your support for local Business and support this Charity Awareness day on behalf of the Morcombe Foundation

After receiving his new Craft Brett took his new craft out for some wave jumping and fun at the beach!!!

The second white and yellow Marlin II to find a hoem within the last two weeks went to Allan McConnell today. The craft is destined for use in support of Allan's business 'McConnell Geoservices' - and also for some well deserved recreational use too! He came along with Michael, who quickly took to handling the craft with some fairly confident driving, and now fancies himself as a top ten finalist for December's 'Race of Champions....'

With the ability to access all areas at all tidal states, the hovercraft is able to allow Allan's staff to get 'to work' on platofrms that are working in amongst silt, sand, mud or in shallow water where a 'mere' boat can't go!

Quick snap of George Thompson's new Marlin II hovercraft looking very sexy in it's yellow and white livery, with George at the controls.

As a member of Emerald's SES (State Emergency Services) George has arranged to put the Marlin through it's paces in a flood response training excercise. Hovercraft are such a logical vehicle to use in flood conditions, that it's great to see one of our craft being trialled here in Australia. We've sold a number of craft into rescue organsiations around the world and with a repeat of 2011's floods not unlikely next year....let's hope that emergency services start considering hovercraft as part of the overall response. They CAN save lives, that's the bottom line.

As one of Europe's leading hovercraft sales companies, we're still expanding our hovercrafts sales in Australia but we're getting a lot of attention from the media and lots of people who wish to own or buy a hovercraft are finding us! Let's hope that with our craft so affordable at the moment (thanks to the strong dollar!) you'll see lots of hovercraft cruising, fishing, and operating commercially in Australia.

If you'd like to know more about buying a Flying Fish Marlin II hovercraft, drop us a line and we'll send you an information pack!

This Friday 23rd and next Friday 30th only! All rides $20 and all drives 25% off!!! Call us and book in today! Tell your friends! Its the school holidays so bring the kids or a ride!

After discussions with the Queensland Sporting Hovercraft Club, we’ve just launched an internet forum for hovercraft enthusiasts. Whether you’re a hovercraft owner, commercial operator, manufacturer or simply interested in discussing these amazing vehicles – join up to stay in touch with what’s going on in the Australian hovercrafting community.  

The aim is to make communication easier, a central point where cruises can announced and planned, questions can be asked on any hover-related subject, resources identified and photographs and wild stories shared!

Here is a place where you can ask advice on fan setup or skirt material, where you can ask who’d like to take a cruise next Saturday, tell the community about the changes in regulations you just found out about, post the photographs from the national rally – whatever floats your boat (as it were!) - as long as it’s hover related.  We even have a ‘for sale’ section for used craft and spares. We’re not forcing anyone to join a club or pay a fee and we’ve made the board as simple as possible, with just two or three categories in which to post. We’ll extend this as time goes on, when we see the direction the board takes and numbers of users increases, but we want everybody to feel they can contribute ideas and suggestions.

One final thing – The Hovercraft Forum will only work if people use it! So, please sign up today, say hi and remember that we’ll only get out of it what we put in.

www.hovercraftforum.com.au

So Fathers Day is nearly here! Book your Dad in for either Sat 3rd or Sun 4th September and he'll get a free Flying Fish Baseball Cap! Quote 'Face2' When you call to book! Otherwise why not buy him a gift certificate? These can be brought online or direct over the phone! (New bookings only and subject to availability)

Heading off for a tour around Australia in his unique camper van, Leigh realised he needed the ultimate toy to truly enjoy the adventure!

Yesterday, he took delivery of his Marlin II hovercraft at our HoverCross track - as you can see, he was pretty excited! Leigh's first port of call is to be Lake Eyre - can there be a better way of seeing this magnificent part of Australia? With hovercraft being the most environmentally sound powered water vehicle available... you need not trade your conscience for enjoyment either!

Have fun Leigh, we're looking forward to seeing the photographs!

Well it was a busy weekend last weekend so don't leave it too late to book in for this weekend! This weekend we will also be at 2011 Queensland Outdoor Adventure & Motoring Expo this weekend at the Toowoomba Showgrounds. If your up there come and see us and enter our competition to win a 40 minute session!

Lucky Leif Haas' birthday cake to celebrate his birthday treat of a driving session at the HoverCross track, Caboolture - cool huh?!?!