Fury arrives from Florida

Clydeen McDonald, Trinidad & Tobago Guardian, August 14, 2009

Fujitsu Fury, the boat touted as the biggest threat to Mr Solo Too’s M Class and overall title at this year’s Carib Great Race, has arrived in T&T. The boat which was shipped from its base in Florida, USA arrived at the docks in Point Lisas on Tuesday, ahead of the boat parade scheduled to take place on Sunday. Guy Costa, the boat’s driver and only local crew member, said it was an exciting opportunity to race Fury in T&T’s premier regatta. “It’s really going to be a pleasure to race in T&T. We have had a lot of great races in the Supercat Class in the USA and we would like to give everyone a taste of what racing is like overseas,” said Costa.

Apart from the usual crew, the team was also making efforts to bring nine-time World Champion John Tomlinson, who is one of the world’s best throttlemen, onboard for the race. “John is a world renowned talent. Bringing him here would be a major boost for our team.” Just over one month ago, Fury flipped while testing in Sarasota during the Suncoast Offshore Superboat Grand Prix almost preventing the boat from taking part in the event. However with the help of Fujitsu, the boat’s new sponsors, major repairs were done.

This included rebuilding the Mercury Racing engines and having the boat’s builder Doug Wright repair the damage done on the deck.

The crash also damaged the drives of the boat which were repaired in Miami. Despite the repairs, Costa believes that his team will provide the first real challenge that Mr Solo has had in several year’s. “It’s easy to win when you have the biggest and fastest boat in the race. But we have come in to win and fully intend to give Mr Solo the kind of serious competition needed,” said Costa.

Fury has a 38-foot hull and will feature Ray Daleney as the throttleman and Shawn Hoffman as technical consultant.

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