King David takes Bundy crown

DAVID Trask claimed the crown of King of the River after cruising to victory in the final race at Sandy Hook yesterday.

An early start by the Brisbane speedster was enough to seal victory in the three-lap race as second-placed hydroplane Hyperactive made it an impossible chase for his rivals.

The Formula I boat took the lead going into the first corner and cruised to the front, as the other five boats battled for second place.

The powerful hydroplane hit the corner second, creating a wash that made a fast corner impossible for the other racers.

From there Trask held on to the lead for a comfortable win in the inaugural King of the River race.

“It’s a great honour to win the race,” Trask said afterward.

“It’s been a really good weekend for us.”

Fellow Formula I racer Damien McKenzie, who broke the lap record earlier at the Wide Bay Bundy Thunder race meet, was behind the eight ball from the start after missing the starter’s flag.

Racing from third position, McKenzie was never able to pass Hyperactive and challenge Trask for the title.

“It was frustrating, I’ve never raced one of those (hydroplanes) before,” he said.

The race was marred by the absence of any blown alcohol displacement boats to contest the title.

The two fastest qualifiers in the Unlimited Displacement category, Rival and Liberty, both pulled out of the event.

Liberty was a forced scratching after suffering a mechanical failure in the final of the Iron Nuts event.

While Rival owner John Bakker decided not to compete in the contest after his rival Craig Bailey withdrew from the tournament following a crash yesterday morning.