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 – the 3rd round of the national 2002/3 series taking place on Sunday 24 November – 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. –
– Lindenberg finally decided to retire after entering time trials on Saturday 23 November for the Morula Powerboat Grand Prix, which takes place on Sunday 24 November. “I needed to get back in a boat for the first time since the accident, and I feel comfortable with my decision. 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. –
– “We as pilots will be really sad to see Peter go, especially me as I have always wanted to beat him, but I guess the guys are going to be relieved that they now have a chance of taking the national title, which Peter has really hogged since he started racing 22 years ago”, said Mark Shepherd (#11 Fochem International), who together with Lindenberg’s team-mate Ian Mather (#2 National Ports Authority) are the two pilots most likely to take Lindenberg’s SA powerboat title at the end of this season. Mather is lying second in the series on 32 championship points with Shepherd one point behind him. Lindenberg still leads on 37 championship points. –
– Qualifying takes place at 4pm on Saturday to determine the grid positions for the hirst heat. –
– Admission to the Morula Sun Grand Prix north-west of Pretoria will be free of charge. R15 for parking per car. The three 15-lap Formula 1 heats will take place at 11:15am, 1pm and 2:45pm. The event will include three air displays, national inflatable racing, junior racing, a round of the National Ports Authority / Mercury development programme and a waterski show by the Morula Sun Showstars. –
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