Formula 1 powerboat pilot Mark Shepherd has wasted no time to take over the reigns from Peter Lindenberg, the 15 times SA Powerboat Champion who retired from powerboat racing this weekend, when he took the lead of the championships after winning all three races at the third round of the national series at the Morula Sun north-west of Pretoria on Sunday 24 November. -
- Although Lindenberg retired as defending champion and points leader by 5 ahead of his National Ports Authority team-mate Ian Mather (#2 National Ports Authority), this weekend’s results now sees Mark Shepherd (#11 Fochem International) lead on 51 championship points with Mather second after three race thirds on 47 points while Timmy Fetherstonhaugh is on 45 championship points after three faultless second placings on the calm waters at the Morula Sun for his new sponsors RCS Mining Supplies/Key Delta. -
- Russell Chard (#9 Hire Anything) of Richard’s Bay had a brilliant race finishing fourth overall for the day with Marius Krause (#7 Body Heat) fifth and Lucky Hadebe (#10 National Ports Authority) sixth overall for the day. -
- Morula Sun’s GM Paul Trafford was delighted with the well-attended Grand Prix, which drew spectators from all sectors of the community at a very happy event. The event is likely to become a permanent fixture on the national calendar. -
- After dominating South African powerboat racing for 22 years, the legendary Peter Lindenberg brings an end to an era with his decision to hang up his propeller and retire from the sport in which has taken the national title on 15 occasions. With his string of both national and international successes, it is very doubtful that anyone will repeat his legacy. -
- This will conclude the domination of South African watersports by Lindenberg, who has earned Springbok national colours on 39 occasions for barefoot waterskiing, waterski racing and powerboat racing. Highlights of his career, which started when he took his first of three SA barefoot waterski titles in 1977, has included taking the 1977 European Barefoot Waterski title, breaking the world barefoot ramp jump record in 1981 and winning the British Powerboat Grand Prix in the 1989 World Powerboat Series. -
- The Morula Sun Powerboat Grand Prix would have been his 309th Formula 1 powerboat race in his illustrious career. -
- “My Saldanha boating accident on 28 September when I nearly died gave me a big wake-up call, and I realised that another trophy or title would not change anything. Although it is 18 months earlier than I intended, I am retiring as the current SA powerboat champion and am leading the 2002/3 Formula 1 points log. Far from leaving the sport, I plan to remain on in an administrative role and will actively continue my support of our development programme, and I will run the National Ports Authority team for my very loyal sponsors”, said Lindenberg who is the President of Powerboat South Africa. -
- “My accident was tough on my daughters, and I need to focus on business commitments at the new Gosforth Park Motorsport Raceway. However I have not turned my back on racing myself. I will continue racing V8 SASCARS and my two historic cars in motor racing”, said Lindenberg, whose only watersport participation will be social waterskiing. -
- Aside of Formula 1 racing, junior classes and stunning air displays, the Grand Prix showcased a round of the National Ports Authority/Mercury development powerboat programme in which three local schools participated with 10 girls and boys from disadvantaged communities from Shoshanguva. Moshe Pula (11) of Morula View was the winner of Group 1 followed by Lucky Hatlane (15) of Ngaka Maseko High – who did well for a non-swimmer- and Letlhogomolo Menyuki (15) from Ngaka Maseko High School third. -
- Gaopalelwe Teledimo (12) of Morula View School won group B with Elias Mosupye (14) from Morula View second and lady driver Keorapetse Masike (11) also of Morula View third. -
- The next round of the national Formula 1 powerboat series will be the National Ports Authority Port Festival taking place on 15 & 16 November in the Small Craft Harbour of the Port of Richard’s Bay. -
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