Race director Ernie Mello believes the course modifications to this year’s Around the Island Powerboat Race will see several new records established.So far 15 boats have registered in nine different classes for the annual spectacle, which starts and finishes at Ferry Reach on Sunday.Mello said the new course, which is three eighths of a mile longer than last year’s, will bear close resemblance to the Around the Island Race’s original format.“I get a funny feeling we’re going to see a bunch of new records as the race is kind of brand new this year,” he said.“We have seen a bunch of changes over the years and there’s a big change to the course this year.“We will now be going around Five Star Island and the Dolphin Fingers at Dockyard which will see the course extended by three eighths of a mile.“Basically this is the course of the late 70s.“All the former records for the old or original course, which have stood since 1976 when we stopped back through Flats, have been frozen.”Last year’s race saw brothers Tonka and Stacey Simpson cross the finish line first in their FB Phantom in a time of 47 minutes and ten seconds — which was also a new class record.But Mello, who has been involved with the Around the Island Race for more than 30 years, reckons this year’s event is too close to call.“We way things have been going with the National Championship Series, we have had different winners, some new, some old,” he said.“In the S Class as long as Stephen Bridges is on the throttle ... he used to hold the old course record.“If Andy Stoneham shows up that would be the ultimate rivalry in that class.“We have qualified about five first year drivers and rookies, which is excellent.”“As long as the weather hold it will be a fast and fun race.”Mello added: “One of the most important things I want to get across to the public is water safety.“We’re asking the public to please assist us by working with our course marshall and safety personal.”Rubis Energy will be sponsoring this weekend’s race for the sixth successive year.