McCallan claims podium finish
Kim McCallan and her nmbrvresort.com racing team-mates exceeded their expectations on their racing debut competing at the Offshore Powerboat Association World Championships in Englewood, Florida at the weekend.
The newly launched racing syndicate secured a spot on the podium after finishing third in the ProStock V class in the two-day event contested in variable conditions.
Owner/driver Kirk Hanna was behind the wheel of the team’s 30-foot Phantom, Showtime, accompanied by throttle man Mark Rinda.
The pair finished sixth among the eight entries in their class in Saturday’s race and third in Sunday’s race, contested in far challenging conditions, to claim the final spot on the podium in their respective division.
“We did extremely well and I think we accomplished more than what we were expecting,” McCallan, who worked with the syndicate’s shore team, said.
“Throttle man Mark Rinda described the race on Sunday as an extreme one with 4-5 foot seas.
“The course was changed to an alternate course due to unruly conditions.
“It was Kirk Hanna’s first time racing and he also enjoyed racing in the rough waters compared to the calmer Saturday.”
The trio cut ties with fellow American syndicate, Nobody’s Business Offshore Racing, to form the team that is based in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
The fledgeling team, which also consists of Mandy Hanna, was founded in September and will compete in the American Power Boat Association, Power Boat Offshore (P1) and OPA series in the Prostock V class
“During the winter we will work on getting what needs to be done in the boat along with branding new colours,” McCallan added.
The mother-of-one plans to compete in her team’s boat powered by a Mercury Racing 525 next season.
She took up an offer in May to serve as an alternate driver and full-time crew with former team Nobody’s Business Offshore Racing.
McCallan made her racing debut two months later at the St Clair River Classic in Michigan, where she finished sixth among the eight entries in the ProStock V class.
McCallan is the first Bermudian woman to compete at this level.