WILBERFORCE driver Corey Davoll is ready to defend his Craig Bailey Gold Cup this weekend, when the Upper Hawkesbury Power Boat Club hosts the Windsor Spectacular.
Davoll won the title at last year’s Spectacular and is keen to still hold the trophy when all is done and dusted after two days of high speed racing at Governor Phillip Park.
Davoll has been all over the globe in the past year, competing in a number of international races and tournaments.
He missed the Spectacular last year when he raced for Team Australia in China, along with Brock Cohen.
The pair finished fourth overall, although unfortunately Cohen crashed in one of the fixtures.
“It was unreal. We got to race against all the idols I grew up watching,” he said of the experience.
The pair will again race for team Australia later in the year and are hoping to record a higher finish.
Davoll said he had as much fun on the water as he did off, with a close knit racing fraternity.
“We are definitely all friends off the water,” he said.
“On the water it is a bit of a different story, but we all have respect for each other and all want to win.
“It gets a bit close for comfort out there but we always catch up for a beer afterwards.”
Davoll has also been involved with the F1H2O series, where he has been the head mechanic for Grant Trask and the F1 Atlantic Team.
“It is awesome. It is so busy. As soon as you get there the containers are open and you set up the work shop,” he said.
“Just being able to travel the world and work for an F1 team is amazing.
“It is definitely exciting work. You have to be on your toes for the whole three days and it is all pretty full on.
“I’ve worked three times this year and three more to go. We've been to Portugal, France and China and we’re also going to the United Arab Emirates.”
Davoll said it was challenging going on trips to different parts of the globe.
He is trying to stay in as best shape he can physically, so that he can get the most out of his craft on the water.
“I've been on a fitness regime out here and I've been doing as much driving as I can to get ready,” he said.
“It is not too bad travelling there. You generally get pretty affected once you come back home. You are full of excitement and energy once you get over there, but when you get home it all and back to reality.”
Getting into the capsule this weekend will be a nice change of pace for Davoll, who has been working hard over the past week preparing many boats for the Hawkesbury 120 Ski Race.
Upper Hawkesbury Power Boat Club commodore -and Corey’s dad - John said he was expecting a large crowd, hopefully 3000 or 4000 people, to line the banks of the Hawkesbury River on the weekend.
He said there would be rides for children and a hot rod show on Sunday.
He said there were about 70 entries for the weekend’s competiton.