Suzuki UK Marine

Suzuki Powers Team Pulsar Racing to Their Round Ireland World Record

Sep 2009

On Friday 11th September Team Pulsar Racing took to the water in their Suzuki outboard powered Quinquari-Humber RIB to attempt the Irish National and UIM World Powerboat Circumnavigation of Ireland & Islands record (excluding Rockall).

They completed the 704 nautical mile circuit in just 19 hours, 9 minutes and 50 seconds beating the existing record by 4 minutes. If beating the record wasn’t enough, Team Pulsar Racing actually took a longer course as the existing RYA ratified record did not include all the Islands of Ireland designated under the UIM record course, and so was 22 miles shorter.
The Team Pulsar Racing crew of Justin McInerney, Derek Stanley and Greg Marsden co-skippered their high profile endurance RIB ‘Milwaukee Seawolf’ which had been launched at the Suzuki sponsored RIBEX show in May 2009.
 
The purpose built 10m Quinquari-Humber was powered round Ireland by a twin rig of Suzuki’s flagship 300hp 4 Litre V6 4-stroke outboards. Team Pulsar Racing had used a single Suzuki 300hp outboard whilst competing in the Round Britain race in 2008, so had no hesitation about who to turn to for the power and reliability needed for this record attempt.

In addition to the lightweight, fuel-efficient and powerful Suzuki outboards, the awesome array of equipment onboard ‘Milwaukee Seawolf’ also included proven Raymarine, Shockwave and Succorfish technology, which delivered yet again, demonstrating its resilience in some ferocious conditions building on the team’s reputation as offshore endurance specialists.

Even though the team broke the record they did not have it all their own way. Some extremely difficult conditions were experienced throughout the attempt almost costing them the record.  ‘Milwaukee Seawolf’ crossed the start line off Mizen Head, Cork at 3am on the 11th September with Dennis Dillon, the official ISA and UIM Record keeper conducting the underway honours.
Due to an unexpectedly poor sea state, compounded by darkness, the attempt was already in jeopardy very early on with challenging conditions continuing all the way across Galway Bay.  However, undaunted and clearly uninterested in defeat, a reputation that Team Pulsar Racing is now well known for, they continued to battle on.

Crossing Donegal Bay conditions began to improve and time was made up through to the refuel stop at Cushendall Slip in Antrim. A technical difficulty at Cushendall caused a 30 minute delay but conditions continued to be favourable down the east coast with the Suzuki outboards propelling ‘Milwaukee Seawolf’ to speeds in excess of 50 knots even with an additional 1000 litres of fuel on the deck.

As the Team rounded Carnsore Point in Wexford, conditions worsened with significant chop developing and a confused sea slowing progress. The run to Waterford was steadily eroding confidence in achieving the target time of 19 hours and 13 minutes or less and tension levels in the RIB were steadily rising.
 
Seas from Waterford to Cork gave no quarter and were physically draining for the crew due to the severe impact ‘Milwaukee Seawolf’ was experiencing. Passing Ballycotton and with Cork in site it was calculated an average of 40 knots would need to be maintained if the Team were to achieve anywhere near the 19 hour target and at this point, with only one hour of daylight remaining, the target seemed impossible.

Stopping briefly at the Cork buoy to switch fuel tanks Greg Marsden took the helm from Justin McInerney for the final sprint to the Fastnet Rock and Mizen Head. The conditions and light continued to deteriorate and now in total darkness speeds were reduced and crew fatigue was also beginning to take its toll due to the physical stresses that had been encountered. However, the Quinquari-Humber seemed to get a second wind and the sweet music of the Suzuki’s remained reassuring to the last.
 
The Team rounded the Fastnet Rock and headed for the Mizen with minutes to spare. With the lights of the Mizen in sight the only thing to do was to go for broke. Navigating purely on instruments and pushing 40 knots to the accompaniment of groans and the odd scream ‘Milwaukee Seawolf’ smashed through an unforgiving sea to cross the line in 19 hours 9 minutes and 50 seconds -breaking the unofficial record by 4 minutes.

The Team arrived back in Crookhaven to rapturous applause, a hot whiskey and a welcome meal in the local pub. Family and friends, who had spent the entire day monitoring every second of the Team’s progress via the Succorfish satellite tracking system onboard, were there to welcome the Crew home.
 
Upon their victorious return, Justin McInerney said, “This is an amazing achievement for man and machine. We’ve taken our boat to hell and back and it’s come through perfectly. The Suzuki outboards never missed a beat and have done us proud.”

Gareth Lumsdaine, Sales & Marketing Manager for Suzuki GB’s Marine Division commented, “We would like to congratulate Justin, Stan and Greg on achieving the record. Their stamina and seamanship was amazing. By setting the record they have tested themselves and their equipment to the limit. 19 hours 9 minutes and 50 seconds of high speed power boating really showcases the reliability of Suzuki’s 4-stroke outboards and the excellent performance the standard engine delivers.”

Team Pulsar Racing will compete in The 2010 Round Ireland Offshore Powerboat Race, which is taking place from the 5th to the 12th of June.