One of the sport’s longest standing facilities, Griffith is always popular with the fans, but regarded as one of the most testing challenges for teams and drivers especially under lights, conditions in which the finals are usually contested.

There are a string of new teams coming into the new season - a season which will conclude with a two round UIM-sanctioned World Championship event starting late October, so the national championships provide an ideal proving ground for what promises to the toughest contest in the world of jetsprinting.

Five-time - and reigning - Unlimited Superboat champion Phonsy Mullan starts as the undeniable favourite for victory at Griffith, not the least because of his 2016 and 2017 finals victories - but because of his almost complete domination of the series over the last five season, his 2017 title continuing a streak that began in 2013!

Sadly Mullan’s greatest rival Tremayne Jukes won’t be back to add to his four outright wins in 2017. During the off-season he relinquished ownership of ‘Maniac’ to former New Zealand regular Paul Gaston - a name that won’t be unfamiliar with V8 Superboat fans - taking over the multiple race winning machine campaigned initially by former Australian champion Dean Finch (Finch taking it to Griffith victory in 2014).

Mitch Roylance was a star performer in season 2016, taking out the ‘Rookie of the Year’ title as well as his maiden season victory in Temora, his results earning him third in season points despite missing an entire round. The ‘Black Jack’ driver sat out season 2017 and returns looking to make an impression once again on the leading pack, as will former race winner Shane Loughnan (Vicious) and David Moodie (Jackhammer).

The opening round of the Australian V8 Superboats Championship will be a single-day event at Lake Wyangan, Griffith. Gates open at 3:00pm with qualifying rounds getting underway at 4:00pm. The circuit is located at the Griffith Boat Club, off Lakes Road. Tickets are available at the gate.