Team Driver - TJracing
Powerboat Racing history
1989 - 1995 Junior Class:
Started racing in the 1989-90 season in the junior modified OA class.
This junior class boat was powered by a modified 15hp engine (not exceeding 300cc). The engine being of any make on a mini cat hull.
In the 1994-95 season Tim won the ‘Junior Sportsman of the Year’ award.
He enjoyed racing in this class and competed in S.A.Championship achieving the S.A title in my last season, also achieved junior sports man of the year (1994-1995)
Awarded Provincial Colours on four occasions (1992, 1993 1994& 1995).
1996 - 1998 Senior Class (F3):
Upon reaching 16 years of age I upgraded from the Junior level (12-16yrs) to the senior class, Formula 850 (F3) level.
Held the S.A title for three years running (1996 to 1999) and being the only pilot to be awarded this title for 3 consecutive years.
He took a full season off to further his studies at Damilen Port Elizabeth.
1998/1999 season
Started racing the F1 class at the end of the 1998/1999 season. He managed to qualify in the top 10 out of a field of 17 boats. He managed to finished 2nd in his first race in front of his home crowd. In the last race of the season in Maputo he manage to qualify 6th and finish 6th overall for the days racing. These two good results saw him place 13th overall in the championship standings with only doing the last two races of that season.
1999/2000 Season
In his first full season he managed to race with constancy and was continually knocking on the door for podium positions at every race. With a few podium positions during the season he managed to finished 5th over all in his first full season, and was awarded the most improved pilots for that season. Awarded EP colours for F1, First Pilots in EP to be awarded EP Colours
2000/2001 Season
He started the season in new boat and did not managed to take part in the first race due to technical problem on the weekend. He managed to come back with his first overall win at the Vaal River Race. Tim was chosen to represent South Africa in the Durban International. He managed to place a very credibale 2nd overall in the international against some of the top pilots form America and the UK. A consist ant flow of podium positions through the season as well as a repeated victory in the last Port Alfred Race at the end of the season, beating Peter Lindenberg, placed him 5th overall for the season.
2001/2002 Season
From the beginning of the season he was a strong contender for the top three position at every race till at the Port of Richards Bay Race where a accident with Ian Mather. He put up strong fight for the remainder of the season, but due to the ageing equipment he was unable to maintain his strong for from the beginning of the season. Despite this he still managed to place 4th overall for the season.
2002/2003 Season
The season started out with great competition for the top 5 places. The season went well with him constantly performing well on the race days. With the help of some sponsorship through the season he managed to take the lead in the championship. This was until having bad luck at the Port Elizabeth and East London races. This cost him the lead in the championship. He fought back with a convincing at the last race of the season. Through the season he managed to have an 80% rate of being in the top three places throughout the season. This constancy helped him to place 2nd overall for the season.
2003/2004 Season
From the start of the season Tim managed to be at the top of his game. He was continually on the tail of Mark Shepard for the over all win at each race. He managed to have a good run till the race of Port Elizabeth and East London where electrical and two major engine failures saw him fall back in the championship hunt. He manages to fight back with the flair of a true champion at the Klerksdorp race where he took over all Victory. He managed despite his misfortunes through the season to maintain his 2nd overall position and a 75% rate of podium finishes for the season.
2004/2005 Season
Was unable to take part due to the lack of sponsorship.
2005/2006 Season
Unable to take part with the lack of sponsorship, till the port Alfred race. Where thanks to the community of Port Alfred and WAP he managed to take part. With having such a long period off from race it was expected to have a few teething problem. With only managing to qualify last it did put a dampener for the start. After being able to sort out all the small technical faults he managed to place 6th overall for the days racing out of a field of 14boats.
Tim Fetherstonhaugh
tim@tjracing.co.za
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