No Bridge to Bridge

The most iconic powerboat race in Australia, and one that is known to enthusiasts all over the world, the Bridge to Bridge race, will not run this year.

The organisers of the race, the Upper Hawkesbury Power Boat Club, have cited insufficient personnel, boats, radios and rescue crews as contributing factors to the setting aside of the running of the event for this year.

However, the UHPBC will run another event with the same format and the same classes in place of the Bridge to Bridge.

In a posting on its Facebook page the club put out the following statement:

"For the past few months the Directors and Race Committee have been working tirelessly organising this year’s Bridge to Bridge. However, at the last Directors' meeting, the unfortunate decision was made to set aside the running of this year’s Bridge to Bridge. Since the race was first held in 1933 and the original race time set at 3 hours and 25 minutes, this will be only the ninth time the race has not been held, as such it was not a decision taken lightly.

"The main reason for the Bridge not being held is directly related to the command and control of the check points. The management of check points, personnel, boats, radios, rescue crews just to name a few, is a huge task and not something we take lightly, after all safety is the number one priority. Over the coming months, the club will be in negotiations with several organisations to ensure that in 2016 the UHPBC Bridge to Bridge will be back on everyone's calendar.

"One rumour I will like to put to bed is that the issues faced are due to new and harsh regulations imposed my Maritime, this is simply not true. I can honestly say the Maritime officers have done everything they can to assist us in organising the event and have been assured, that the event is supported into the future.

"However all is not doom and gloom. The UHPBC is committed to putting on events for its members, so keep the 24th of May marked off on the calendar.

"This year as a one-off event, the UHPBC presents The Double Dash. The Double Dash will be run in a similar format to the Bridge to Bridge, catering for all the same classes. The Start will take place from in front of the UHPBC club house and run to Sackville. After all the boats have arrived, the field will be turned around and complete a second leg back up stream finishing at Windsor. The full logistics of the race are still in the planning stages so stay tuned for drivers packs and make sure you get your entry in."