Round 1 of the National Championships for the Australian Formula Jet Sprint Association, V8 Superboats, starts next weekend in one of the world's favourite venues near Cabarita Beach.

There’s nothing but adrenaline action, rush stacks and speeds up to 140 kph on race day," said ex-president of the club, active member and racer Peter Monger, who is primed for this year's event

“You've got 15 seconds between races, so it just goes full on all day. Crashes and spills, they're always on there, so excitement plus.”

The Round Mountain track is particularly good for watching the boats, as the landscape surrounding it is like a stadium. Everyone has a good view of the entire track.

The races include three classes of Superboats - Entry level class, International group A class and a Superboat class.

There are only two local Northern Rivers teams competing this year, and Peter is hoping for a place in the Superboat class.

“This is our first full season in the Superboat class this year. Last year, we had one round in this class, and we managed to take second place in that round.  

“There were a few boats that were quicker than us but they fell out during the day through different reasons, crashes and so forth. So, if we can get back on the podium for the first round, we'll be really happy.”

(Peter Mongers team, Mongrel)

Competitors have four qualifying rounds on Saturday and two qualifying rounds on Sunday. The top 15 boats of each class advance to the elimination rounds.

The tactics change and the tension builds at eliminations.

“You can be the leading boat all day long. The eliminations are when the pressure comes on. 

“If you bugger up on that first elimination round, you're out for the rest of the day. You can only rely on your last run. You’ve got to be consistent.”

The races run all through the day and are timed. There are two boats idling in the pit pool, ready to go at all times. 

After a boat has gone through the finish beam and enters the spin-out pool, there is a 15-second break before the next racer begins at the start line.

The track directions have been released for round one. The late dispensing of this knowledge controls advantage on the day; the entrants do not know the course until a week before the race.  

“When you're down on track level, and you can only see the island in front of you and nothing else, navigating is very difficult.”

Practice is not easily done in this sport, “Generally, you get behind that wheel and practice on race days.”

There are club days when the track is available to be used. It is required to be open to everyone, and “we've got to make sure that the association will agree to a date.”

The World Titles for V8 Superboats takes place every four years. In 2024, it will take place in New Zealand, so the national competition in Australia is split into two sections.

“We'll run three rounds of the national competition before the world titles and then three rounds after. There are quite a few Australian boats going over for the world titles.”

Mitch, another club member, told me that the Superboat track at Round Mountain, Cabarita, is considered the best in Australia by racers.  

Peter elaborates that those who race on it consider it their favourite track in the world, “Not one person who has raced on it hasn’t praised the track.

“When we get internationals over here, whether they're the Kiwis, Americans, Canadians or from the UK, they rate this as the best track they’ve raced on.”

Live streaming of Round Mountain races around the world is popular because of the track.

“The big difference here is we have 11 islands; every other track has about four.

(Round Mountain Track at Cabarita)

“So it's a much more technical track, and it’s harder to remember your track directions because there are so many different islands to go around.”

A shadow looms over this year's race as the land the venue is held on is up for sale, and the future of the use of this track is uncertain.

“We have the best landowner in history. He donates the whole use of the land to us, and we maintain it. Excess money made on the day is donated to charities that he likes.

“Ross has been a godsend. Without him, we would not be able to run these races.”

Peter also praises the spectators who attend the races and speaks of a race last year that was washed out. “90% of the people that attended sat through the drizzly day and didn’t ask for their money back - that kindness pretty much saved the club.”

Next weekend is round one of the national competition, and possibly due to the unconfirmed future of the track, the second round will also be held at Round Mountain. So, if you can’t make it next weekend, book in for the beginning of August.

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