Power boat racing gives Kapit folks a ‘vroom’

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KAPIT: Power boat racing is Kapit’s signature event, and it draws a huge crowd from within and outside the division every time it is held.

Kenneth Kanyan (left) hands over the prize to a winner.

James Jimbun presents the prize to one of the race winners.

A power boat race winner receives his prize from Jefferson Jamit.

A modified water-pump engine power boat in action.

The latest one was held over two days, beginning Saturday, in conjunction with the state-level 57th National Day celebration, which was centred here.

Among the VIP power boat enthusiasts here are Minister of Land Development Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Jemut Masing, Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi, Hulu Rajang MP Wilson Ugak Kumbong, Kapit District Council Walikota PhilimonNuing, Temenggong Datuk Kenneth Kanyan, Temenggong Datuk James Jimbun Punggat, and a political secretary to the Chief Minister of Sarawak, Jefferson Jamit.

Taib seems to have a great interest in power boat racing, too.

Power boat races are a crowd-puller in Kapit.

Masing behind the wheels of a power boat.

Masing, who also owns power boats – the latest commissioned on Friday – praised locals for their creativity and innovativeness in designing power boats and their ability to transform the engines into racing ‘beasts’.

“They’re ordinary people with skilful craftsmanship. They can make racing boats from plywood and wooden beams,” said Masing, who believed this water sport had great tourism potential.

Kapit Power Boat Association chairman Koh Kumbong said there were 17 power boat clubs from the various races registered with the association and this showed interest in power boat racing here was over the roof.

He opined that the quaint nature of the streams and rivers here help make such races popular.

Power racing boats, however, are only for those with relatively deep pockets. This is because one such boat can cost between RM15,000 and RM20,000, with the engine alone costing from RM8,000 to RM12,000.

Then, money has to be spent on the racer.

Koh Kumbong said it was very expensive to organise power boat races. Besides the cash prizes and trophies, the organising committee needed the assistance of 20 to 30 people to co-ordinate the races and compile the results.

The VVIPs who witnessed the finals on Sunday included Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud and wife Toh Puan Ragad Kurdi Taib, Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Adenan Satem and wife Puan Sri Dato Jamilah Anu, Masing, Nanta and Ugak.

The participants in last weekend’s event were from Kapit, Song, Kanowit, Sibu, Mukah, Bintulu, and Miri.

The races were divided into the following categories: 50 HP below tunnel boat, 30 HP below tunnel boat, 18 HP below tunnel boat, and water-pump engine boat.

The results are as follows: 50 HP below tunnel boat (Lelingai 66 champion, Orion 13 first runner-up, and Alta 91 second runner-up); 30 HP below Tunnel boat (Orion 13 champion, Murpink 45 second, Goramas 23 third, Brooklyn 98 fourth, and Song Team fifth); 18 HP below tunnel boat (KKRT 1 champion, Go Kapit 29 second, and Invader 21 third).