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In our latest blog in Boat Talk by GILFLITE we present Bob Carters most recent article where he reflects on his decades of dedication to Australian Powerboat Racing. Since his first ignition of obsession in the 1950’s, he has raced boats, written about them, and captured them through his photography.

• Early Inspiration and Spectatorship: Bob Carter’s fascination with boat racing began in the late 1950s as a young child, attending races with family and following the sport through magazines. He became a dedicated spectator, attending events at venues like Albert Park Lake and dreaming of participating more directly.
• Bob Carter’s journey is a model of lifelong passion evolving into professional involvement, showing how personal interests can lead to diverse roles—competitor, organizer, journalist, and business owner—within a sporting community.
• His story illustrates the importance of community clubs, adaptability, and the challenges of sustaining niche sports over time.
• Later Years and Reflection: After stepping back from racing and promotion, Carter continued to write about the sport and photograph events, adapting to digital technology. He reflects on the decline of boat racing’s popularity and club numbers, expressing concern for the sport’s future but gratitude for the friendships and experiences it brought him.

Powerboat Racing, the VSBC and Me

By Bob Carter

My lifelong obsession with boat racing began in the late 1950’s, but I really don’t remember it.  I was a very little tacker when my aunt took me to the outboard boat races at Edwards Park Lake in Reservoir.

What I do recall later on, is sitting out in the baking sun at Exford Weir, Melton, with my brother and parents, watching fast boats racing and skiers flying around with their delta wing kites.    As a high school kid I followed boat racing through the magazines of the day, principally Seacraft and Modern Boating.  For me, neither carried anywhere enough stories and photos about race meetings and the championship events. 

When I was old enough to travel alone on public transport, I caught the train to Middle Park station, ran across the parkland and was a fanatical spectator at Albert Park Lake, where the Victorian Speed Boat Club staged the boat races.  This was my version of heaven.    The smell of oil impregnated timber hulls, the noise of racing engines, the speed and spray all remain with me to this day.

I knew no-one of course.  But from the magazines I knew which boats were the fastest and who the best drivers were.  Mandy, Black Knight, Scrubcat, B Pee, Hydrophobia, Miss Chif II… I took photos of some with my little Kodak instamatic camera.  Then later there was Vulture, Cheeta, Puff-n-Stuff, Rascala, Piranha and even Pitstop did a demo run around the lake once.

To get closer to the action, I managed to sneak into the pits and stuck my nose in where it didn’t belong.  Thankfully, no-one ever seemed to be bothered by the inquiring kid.

I longed to get to the big boat race meetings at Eppalock and Yarrawonga, but that would have to wait until I was 18 and at uni.  I got my licence at 18 and also a HB Torana.   With a car, I was able to follow the boat race circuit in earnest.  I finally got to Eppalock and Yarrawonga, but also club events such as the Geelong Aquatic Club meetings at Modewarre, the MRSBC at Exford Weir…. Hazelwood, Paynesville… anywhere there was a puddle and boat races in Victoria, I was there.

Inevitably the pathway would lead from spectator to racer.  I joined the Formula Ford register, an excellent entry class, and was fortunate enough to be invited to help out skiff driver Leon Doyle of the MRSBC.   I was on the crew of Super Roo, a solid club boat raced by good guys.

The next step was to join a club.   For me the VSBC was the only choice.   I had grown up with the club racing at Albert Park, and I wanted to be a part of the dominant powerboat racing club in Victoria.

John “Ox” Nason was the Commodore and Ray Loon the Secretary when I joined up.  Once a month, I think the third Thursday of the month, there was a members meeting at  the Albert Park Lake clubhouse.  There was a very well stocked bar in one corner of the club rooms. It was extremely popular amongst the members, both before and after the meeting, all in the name of club fund raising of course.

Ox Nason was an excellent Commodore.  He was very forthright and with the support of the committee guided the club through a highly successful era of race meetings at Albert Park, Eppalock and Yarrawonga.   The Albert Park venue drew big crowds ringing the lake with the Moomba Cup and Prince Henry’s charity events being the major meetings of the time.  These meetings gave spectators a good taste of racing which in turn lured families to Eppalock where the biggest and fastest boats raced.

This period was the most successful in my boat racing journey.    The crowds at Eppalock lining the banks were huge.  Back then there were more freeloaders across the lake at Morrabbee Lodge Caravan Park, than there are today at an Eppalock meeting.  The VSBC raced at Green Lake, Horsham with over 110 boats entered.   Lake Boga played host to big events later on.   The annual Yarrawonga carnival was massive, particularly on New Years Day when there was an influx of Sydney boats venturing south to take home the big pot of VSBC prizemoney on offer.

Colin Mogford became Commodore after Ox and I joined the Committee.   Colin and I lived near each other and would head to club meetings in his Porsche 911.  On the committee I lacked plenty in knowledge and experience, but I like to think that I made up for that with enthusiasm.   The Committee meetings were often a lively affair, and like any club, there were competing factions constantly niggling at each other.

Somewhere around this time I bought a 12’ 6” Simpkin skiff, as a bare hull from Bill McLeod.  As a uni student working a part-time job as a cleaner, I didn’t have the money to buy a Formula Ford engine. 

Whenever I had a few spare dollars, I spent it rigging my skiff.   Peter White and I built a trailer in Leon Doyles shed and Tom Barnes generously stepped up and leant me his spare Formula Ford engine so the register could have another boat on the water.  My first race was at Eppalock, but I enjoyed racing at Albert Park Lake the most.   Along the way I ran the skiff through the kilo at Lake Glenmaggie to set an Australian speed record of 50.48 mph.  Being the first Formula Ford skiff to run through the kilo, I reasoned that I held a Victorian, Australian and world speed record!

At the VSBC I assisted Ray Loon with the club magazine, The Prop Rider, and eventually produced it myself capably directed by Ray who continued to print it.

Then in 1976 a new boating magazine appeared on the shelves at newsagents.   PowerBoat magazine was a breath of fresh air, a magazine devoted to powerboats and powerboat racing.  I contacted the editor, Peter Stuart, and offered to submit an article on the Formula Ford class given that I was racing my skiff at that time.  Fortunately, he agreed.  Then to my astonishment, after the article appeared in November 1976, the second edition, a cheque arrived in the mail.

Unwittingly my career with PowerBoat was off and running.  Peter Stuart asked me to write another article, then another and another.   I don’t profess to say that I really knew what I was writing about.  I’ve always been big on research, so I got by in those early years and my confidence gradually grew. 

After a year racing my skiff, Theo Janssen made an offer that I couldn’t refuse.  He made one of his Formula Ford fibreglass hydroplanes available to me to drive.  So I spent a year racing with Theo’s hull, Tom’s engine and my trailer.  Much and all as I thoroughly enjoyed being a racer, I didn’t have the finances or knowledge to be anywhere near competitive.

With a fledgling career under way with PowerBoat, a new wife and a secondary school teaching job in the Mallee, I retired as a race boat driver!  I recall that I won just the one race, a handicap trace at Lake Modewarre, and had a “world” speed record to my name!

The PowerBoat journey lasted until the late 1980’s.    I lost interest after the then editor took the magazine in a different direction… fishing boats.   The magazine had changed owners, and the new publisher could see more advertising revenue with fishing boats than race boats.   In 1983 & 1984 I contributed the weekly boating column for the Melbourne Herald evening newspaper.  I also began contributing to Club Marine magazine in 1985 and was submitting articles as recently as 2024 when they decided to no longer take articles on boat racing.  Bugger!

Boat racing during the 1970’s, 1980’s and 1990’s was extremely strong.   Lots of boats, heaps of clubs and race meetings galore.  I had the privilege of photographing and writing about race meetings, race boats and drivers all year long.  I loved the racing and through boat racing, made lots of lifelong friends all over our great land.

But, the boat racing flame flickered, then inevitably went out.  The whingers and complainers got to me so I gave away covering boat racing for a time and instead wrote about ski boats and boating destinations.  It paid the same, was easier and there was zero grief.  The push back by some clubs against boating media then, unfortunately still exists in some quarters today.  Crazy!

Although I was a commerce teacher by profession, my exposure to the marine industry through PowerBoat and the Herald created new opportunities.   I left the classroom in 1984 and established a marketing & PR business that concentrated on recreational boating.   Connexion PR was born.   My first clients were Flightcraft, Mercury Marine and the Melbourne Boat Show.  I enjoyed my business from day one to the end 35 years later when I retired in 2019. 

One of the highlights of running my own marketing business was in 1988 when I established the Australian Formula 1 Powerboat Grand Prix business.  I was disillusioned with the way powerboat racing was conducted under the club structure. My thinking was that a national six round series for F1 outboard tunnel boats could deliver a better format for the drivers.  The touring car series of boat racing if you will.

These were standalone events with F1 boats being the centrepiece.  We started with 10 drivers/boats in the first F1 GP at Griffith and within two to three years we had 32 boats entered at the Newcastle GP which was televised live by NBN TV.  Clearly, we were doing something right.  The business model was all about a combination of the right venue, the right program, treating the teams as entertainers and the application of solid marketing.

In Melbourne I ran two F1 GPs on Albert Park Lake, much to the chagrin of the VSBC who (wrongly) claimed that outboards were banned from using the lake.  One of the highlights of my five years of running the series was the GP staged at Victoria Docks in 1993.  I was chuffed to run the Adelaide F1 GP events in concert with the Formula 1 Grand Prix Organisation who ran the F1 car event through the streets of Adelaide.  I learnt so much about sports marketing from Dr Mal Hemmerling and his organisation.

After running the F1 powerboat series for five years, I realised that this was a high risk business venture which delivered very marginal financial returns.   I found it impossible to attract the level of sponsorship needed to sustain the series, so reluctantly I called it a day having run 30 individual F1 race meetings.   On reflection, the F1 series was a standout success by every benchmark, except for adequate sponsorship.

Although I was done with the Australian series, I still harboured a desire to bring a round of the UIM world F1 series to Australia.  Working with Melbourne Major Events, we had an agreement and funding in place to run the Australian leg of the UIM F1 powerboat race on Albert Park Lake on the same weekend as the F1 car race slated for 1996.  Sadly, Bernie Ecclestone, who owned and ran the world F1 car series, refused to have boats as part of his Melbourne weekend, and that killed off the venture and my time as a promoter.

So from 1996 until 2024, my involvement in boat racing had been a few articles a year published in Club Marine and posting photos on social media.  The proliferation of digital photography has made photographing the sport so much easier.  Back in the day I would shoot at the most six rolls of black and white film and three rolls of colour at a big Griffith Cup or Yarrawonga meeting.  That’s a total of 324 frames of which 10 to 15 would be submitted to the editor to support a story.

Nowadays at Yarrawonga or the Dorwin Gold Cup or Melton Gold Cup I could easily shoot 8,000 to 10,000 digital frames per day, but I limit my social media posts to 20 to 30 images.   I used to get out on the water on a crash boat for my photography as I only had a 200mm lens.  But now with a 400mm lens on my digital Canon body, I shoot exclusively from the bank at all venues.

When the classic wooden boat movement gained interest, I went in search of my Formula Ford skiff.  I tracked it to Hobart but the trail was cold and I assumed that it went to the tip.  I loved the old skiffs so much that I bought a Lewis V8 skiff called Rebound in 2001 and had a heap of enjoyment with it.  Nothing is for ever, and I sold it in 2015.  These days I have a 1964 Lewis twin cockpit runabout called Turbo Fire, a Bridge to Bridge winning boat raced by Phil Reeson.  I also have the slowest boat in captivity, a 1941 Chris Craft mahogany runabout, which I restored back to her original beauty.  As I’ve grown older, my boats have become slower!

Over my journey, from the outset to the present day, powerboat racing has been very kind to me.   I’ve met some wonderful people at home, interstate and overseas.   I’ve been able to visit places that I would otherwise never have been to, both in Australia and overseas.  I’ve seen some absolutely breathtaking races.  And sadly we’ve suffered through the tragic loss of brave and talented drivers, thankfully so many fewer over recent years.

To wrap it up on a gloomy note, the sport isn’t what it once was.   Whereas other forms of motor sport have grown to attract big sponsors, crowds and fields, boat racing by comparison has barely survived.  The reality is that there are very, very few classes which could be regarded as strong.  And whereas there was once a plethora of APBA affiliated clubs, today there are just a handful battling along.

I find it hard to see how our sport can be turned around, as in my eyes it’s hanging by a thread.   Older blokes like me have had their day in the sun; we’ve done our bit, we had our say and now we sit on the bank as has-beens looking to the contemporary breed to have their turn and rescue the sport that we love.

Story written by Bob Carter

Original Photography by Bob Carter

Published by GillGirl Media – GILFLITE – copyright 2026

When I was old enough to travel alone on public transport, I caught the train to
Middle Park station, ran across the parkland and was a fanatical spectator at Albert
Park Lake, where the Victorian Speed Boat Club the staged the boat races. This
was my version of heaven. The smell of oil impregnated timber hulls, the noise of
racing engines, the speed and spray remain with me to this day.

I knew no-one of course. But from the magazines I knew which boats were the
fastest and who the best drivers were. Mandy, Black Knight, Scrubcat, B Pee,
Hydrophobia, Miss Chif II… I took photos of some with my little Kodak instamatic
camera. Then later there was Vulture, Cheeta, Puff-n-Stuff, Rascala, Piranha and
even Pitstop did a demo run around the lake once.

To get closer to the action, I managed to sneak into the pits and stuck my nose in
where it didn’t belong. Thankfully, no-one ever seemed to be bothered by the
inquiring kid.

The next step was to join a club. For me the VSBC was the only choice. I had
grown up with the club racing at Albert Park, and I wanted to be a part of the
dominant powerboat racing club in Victoria.

From now (above VSBC Legends Tent – Yarrawonga Griffith Cup event 2026) – a few Legends!!!

To below: Boat Racing on Albert Park Lake the original home of the Victorian Speed Boat Club

Below: Articles written by Bob and about Bob

Powerboat Magazine boat testing by Bob Carter

Club Marine article on GILFLITE tittled ‘Guts & Glory’ by Bob Carter

Photography over the decades by Bob Carter

More articles written by Bob Carter

This tribute is from a close friend and son-in-law, who knew Ian Harvey as a man unafraid to take on a challenge. A true gentleman and a boat racer through and through, he lived life at full throttle, never backing down, always doing things his own way.

‘Screamn Eagle’ Tribute to the Legendary Ian Harvey, written by Patrick Austin – April 26

Ian’s earliest passion was motorbikes and cars (the faster the better) – he was an excellent mechanic running his own business when he encountered a race boat owner who needed to buy a car that Ian had for sale at Harvey Motors. The gentleman couldn’t afford the asking price, but a deal was done based on Ian keeping the race boat to make up the shortfall on the purchase price. This chance meeting and deal set Ian on a course to chase the ‘need for speed’ on water.

Harv’s as known to his friends, was not afraid to give most things a crack and always in his own unique quirky style.

From his start with the VSBC in the 60’s until he hung up his helmet in the early 80’s, Harv’s owned and raced 4 variants of his beloved Screamin Eagle.

From the first skiff Screamin Eagle I with a Holden 6 cylinder grey motor, to Eagle II incorporating Waggott heads, to the game changing inclusion of a genuine Brabham race engine in Eagle III, and finally to the runabout Eagle IV powered by a 4.2 litre Holden V8 built with Alan Healy; Ian was intent on remaining progressive in the sport.

Screamin Eagle III still holds the speed record across the kilo in the 155ci class at a whopping 76 Mph. By today’s standards not necessarily super quick, but these boats were unpredictable and in many cases dangerous given their flighty nature and basic design. Enhanced design technology and safety simply was something for the future.

Ian loved the VSBC and being part of the club. The social activities which always included a few beers (no breathalysers in those days) seemed just as important as the racing that was conducted on a rolling and regular basis. Albert Park was integral in enabling the race drivers the opportunity to race on a frequent basis and generally close to home. Ian (generally with family in tow) travelled Victoria wherever races were held. These included Lake Eppalock and Yarrawonga for annual meetings at Easter and New Years. Yarrawonga was like a second home, and Ian and his wife Dawn went as far as purchasing an apartment on the lake which reflected their feelings towards the town.

Ian was remembered by his fellow race mates as ‘a bit out there’, and didn’t necessarily waste time on safety or general presentation. 

He was humorously known for regularly not hitching his boat to the trailer. Once driving through flood waters on the way home from a meeting, his boat floated off without Ian realising. Once when towing he braked hard in an emergency and his boat ended up perched on the top of his car! He had aviaries at home for his birds, and many a time when his boat was scrutineered it had grass growing in the hull from bird seed that had made its way in the boat and germinated. On another occasion he needed to borrow a helmet to race because his pet cocky had chewed all the foam out from the inside of his helmet.

Ian didn’t care and would just laugh it off.

Ian also purchased a 4.2 Hydro called Hunter which his great mate Ron Hull raced while Ian raced the Eagle. Many of the competitors became life long best mates who would recall and exchange stories of close calls, achievements and more than occasional politically incorrect behaviour. The stories interestingly becoming more outrageous after each telling. 

Even after he retired from racing Ian stayed in touch with VSBC race events, either attending in person or watching the streamed race coverage.  

Above: Ian Harvey celebrating with Alan Healey at the VSBC 60th Anniversary

In his early 80”s, Ian once asked Mark Healy if he could have a drive of his 6 litre hydro just for old times sake….  whilst the opportunity didn’t present, it demonstrated that the pursuit of exhilaration never fades.

Ian sadly has passed away, but is remembered as a unique character, who was a respected and fearless competitor who loved to race, loved his racing mates and the VSBC.

Another power boat racing legend, gone but never forgotten. 

Above: Ian celebrating life, with his boat, the V.S.B.C. and eldest daughter Leanne

Below…….

***VSBC Members offical Legends Tent***

This year, at the 2026 Yarrawonga Powerboat Spectacular, the Victorian Speedboat Club proudly hosted  the first ‘VSBC Members Official Legends Tent’ 

Surrounded by the legends of Australian powerboat racing, we welcomed iconic racers,  veteran members and fans, enjoying front-row views, with shade, and a space to meet and mingle where old friendships were reunited and new ones made, right here at the greatest sport on Earth 

Sponsored by DTG Race Products 

#victorianspeedboatclub #australianpowerboatracing #2026yarrawongapowerboatspectacular  #dtgraceproducts

Pictured below: Ian’s family attended the 2026 EC Griffith Cup meet, hosted by Ians club ‘The Victorian Speed Boat Club’ at Yarrawonga.

Below: This tribute is from a close friend and son-in-law, who knew Ian Harvey as a man unafraid to take on a challenge. A true gentleman and a boat racer through and through, he lived life at full throttle, never backing down, always doing things his own way.-

‘Screamn Eagle’ Tribute to the Legendary Ian Harvey, written by Patrick Austin – April 26

Below: Ian sitting in Scream’n Eagle with one of his many well won Trophies.

Above: Ian’s wife Dawn, daughter Nicole and Partner wearing Scream’n Eagle tribute t.shirts at this years E.C. Griffith Cup, in the V.S.B.C. official Legends Tent, Yarrawonga Foreshore.

Tribute article with b/w photos supplied & written by Patrick Austin for the feature article in the 2026 E.C. Griffith Cup Program.

Published on the GILFLITE website by Paula Gill (GillGirl Media), with additional photos by Paula for the historic records of Australian Power Boat Racing (July 26).

Post created by Paula Gill (GillGirl Media) #gillgirlmedia published by Paula Gill – GILFLITE copyright ©