With the first meet of the New Zealand Offshore Powerboating season now behind us — and the next round heading to Taupō in mid-November — all eyes turn to Australia, where engines will roar across Lake Macquarie this weekend.
The 2025/26 Australian Offshore Superboat Championship bursts back into life as part of the Lake Mac Action Fest, promising two days of racing, spectacle, and family-friendly atmosphere. Fans can expect shoreline thunder, open pits, and that unmistakable mix of burnt fuel, spray, and rivalry that defines both sides of the Tasman.
A stacked field for 2025/26
With entries coming in thick and fast, the opening round has drawn one of the most competitive fleets in recent years. The Supercat Extreme division — the outright premier class of Australian offshore racing — will feature six headline boats:
- 222 Offshore & 222 Marine, a MPYD Boat Design powered by 2 x Mercury V8 750hp, and helmed by Darren Nicholson
- Acme Racing Pty, a 36ft Maritimo powered by v8 Racing inboard, and helmed by Tom Barry Cotter
- Venturi Offshore Racing, little is known about this new team, except that it is driven by Antony De Fina and Matt Kell
- Colonel Offshore Racing, a 24ft Skater powered by 2 x Mercury Racing Outboards, and helmed by Michael Kelly
- Team Australia Powerboat Racing, a Maritimo Boat Design 42 powered by 2 x Mercury V8 750hp, and helmed by Darren Apps
- MOJO, a Maritimo powered by 2 x Mercury 750HP V8 Inboards, and helmed by former Supercars driver Todd Kelly.
Each twin-engine catamaran produces roughly 1,500 horsepower per side, reaching 230 km/h on the straights. When the throttles open, the roar echoes right around the lake — a sound as addictive as it is deafening.
Classes and contenders
Supporting the headline act are three additional categories that ensure non-stop action. The list of entries shows depth and talent.
Supercat Outboard pits TCR Offshore, KESS Motorsports, The Sting, and DLR (Dove Logistics Racing) against each other at speeds near 185 km/h.
SuperSport 85 features RS Motorsports, Special Edition, The Colonel, and Action Property Management, a mix of experienced hands and new challengers.
And the crowd-pleasing SuperSport 65 brings the family vibe with The Villain, Risky, Nut Case, Slick Racing, Valentus Offshore Racing, Team 38 Offshore, The Con, and Team Degen.
Each race runs about 30 minutes over a 6.5 km circuit, keeping the boats close to shore for maximum excitement.
Storylines to watch
Among the heavy hitters, Venturi Offshore Racing steps up to the Extreme class after taking last season’s Outboard crown, with Antony De Fina and Matt Kelly returning in a freshly painted, twin-750 hp hull. 222 Offshore aims to reclaim its championship dominance, while Acme Racing and Colonel Offshore Racing bring proven pace.
Team Australia Powerboat Racing is back under new ownership, with Phil Wiley and Darren Apps joining experienced throttle-man Paul Fowlds for their debut campaign. And MOJO, under Todd Kelly, injects V8 pedigree into the offshore scene.
In the SuperSport ranks, Ben Embleton and Liam Sutherland (Team 38 Offshore) are back for their first full season after a solid Port Adelaide debut, while reigning SuperSport 65 champions Razorcraft Boats look poised to move up to the 85 class later in the season.
The season
From here, the series heads south to Wyndham Harbour (Feb), Geelong (Mar), and Adelaide’s North Haven (May). For Kiwi readers, it’s the perfect counterpart to our own season — same roar, different accent.
