Principal Sponsor
New Zealand Jet Boat River Racing Association
Media Partner
Photos - Mike Smith
UNLIMITED CLASS
Normally Aspirated Engines over 454ci including Gas Turbines
Class Sponsor
NZ1 (36) - JOHN DERRY
No racer has won more in New Zealand - John has nine NZ Championships to his name as well as two UIM World Champion titles. His current co-driver is Nick Smith and this pair is considered the team to beat.
His passion for jet boating and racing came from growing up around the sport when his father Blue Derry also raced. John first raced in the then B Class before moving into A class which became Unlimited. In 2010 he was the first Kiwi to race a gas turbine engine which he has done ever since.
Sponsors
Christchurch Helicopters
Speights Ale House Blenheim
The Good Home Blenheim
SSS Engineering
A CLASS
Normally aspirated engines up to 454ci
248 - JUSTIN HILL
From Christchurch, Justin is the driver of boat 248 and currently races in A class but swaps out to the formula CX class between national and world marathons. He began racing 8 years ago in FX class. Current navigator is Josh Hamilton
World A class title - 2017 (New Zealand)
World title CX class - 2019 (Canada).
Justin is appreciative of the huge support from his parents Michael and Gaye, Michael is a World Champion racer himself from 1997.
Sponsors
Chris Wilson
Talleys
Trowel Works
Oilpro
Christchurch Towing Services
Jettec Jet boats
Class Sponsor
CX CLASS
Class Sponsor
Formula Class - Chev CT525
28 - CRAIG ROBINSON
Craig's a farmer from Tapanui who's Radioactive race boat has made regular appearances since he started racing in 2013. Two highlights were winning outright, the 2016 Stuart Blanchard Memorial Race on the Waimakariri and claiming 3rd CX in the 2017 Worlds.
His current navigator is Hamish Tovey from Canterbury and his trailer crew chief is Liam Robinson.
Sponsors
Exact Engineering & Marine
FX CLASS
Class Sponsor
Formula Class - Chev ZZ4 (350ci)
69 - STEWART FITZGERALD
Stewart's been on the water for five years with a mini jet boat. It was being a crew for Justin Hill though that led to Six Pac Racing! Justin found his Dad's winning race boat from the later 90's, Jettec slotted a new keel into it, the power comes from the states - an ex Leighton Lillie engine and the pump and other bits have been salvaged from the ashes of Aftershock Racing 1 and he's in business for the Stuart Blanchard Memorial Race.
Sponsors
CHC Towing Trowelworks
South Shore Marine QEII Collision Repairs
Jettec Boats Harris Auro Electric & Performance
CLUB CLASS
Class Sponsor
Entry Level Class - Family style jet boat with safety additions
21 - MICHAEL McKEOWN
Michael is part of the Golden Homes team, the boat is the ex Byron Campbell CX machine he raced in the 2021 Marathon before selling it to Tom Kelly. It's currently running a stock CX engine with wet pipes and has a restricted top speed under Club Class rules.
Supporters
Golden Homes