The Star - Youngest competitor wins Powerboat Race

SIXTEEN-year-old Warren Fernandez, the youngest contestant to compete in the Malaysian International F3000 Powerboat Series in Metropolitan Park, Kepong, also clinched the top spot in the 16-lap race.

Racing together with Fernandez was his father, Robert, 52, a veteran F3000 powerboat racer with 23 years of experience, and brother, Kane, 25, who took second place in the event.

The third place went to Tony Chew from Team Atlantic, a racing team from Kota Tinggi.

A student of SMK Jalan Bukit in Kajang, Warren got his first taste of powerboat racing a year ago. He is coached by Robert and Kane, a commercial diver who has had some nine years in the Malaysian circuit.

Piloting an Italian-made DAC, this was Warren’s first time in his new vessel, a recalibrated model imported from Abu Dhabi.

His father, who is team principal of Team Fernandez Racing, paid some RM70,000 for the DAC. He said the better built vessel had contributed immensely to the teen’s performance.

Warren completed 16 rounds in the 1.5km lake circuit after the race was cut short from the original 20 rounds.

The first interruption came at lap 11 when the vessel piloted by Brandon Thein of Team Explorer experienced engine trouble.

He was not alone in his troubles. The oldest contestant in the event and fellow teammate Yusof Abu Bakar, 57, also experienced sudden engine failure.

The first signs of trouble came when the Terengganu native failed to gain clearance during a turn. In the skirmish, Yusof reckoned he may have hit something after hearing a loud thud.

After emerging fully soaked from the lake waters, Yusof showed his the broken bow and hairline cracks at the port and chine of his boat. He reckoned that water must have also seeped into the engine and caused it to stall.

“In a race, anything can happen to anybody,” said Yusof.

The second red flag was raised at lap 16 when the vessel piloted by Ng Kok Siang, 27, a powerboat repairer from Kota Tinggi, capsized.

According to chief safety officer and assistant race director Gary Choong, 45, Ng had miscalculated his trim at a turning and was swamped by waves coming from another boat.

Rushing to Kok Siang’s aid was rescue driver, Amir Ghane, 32, an Iranian native, who much to his relief, only had to lift the top of the cockpit to allow Kok Siang to exit his boat before it sunk.

“My first thought was to get out. There was no time to see my life flash past before me or anything of that sort,” said Kok Siang.

The excitement and suspense of the race was witnessed by some 5,000 spectators who turned up at the two-day event.

Organised jointly by Kuala Lumpur City Hall and the Youth and Sports Ministry, the event also saw international participation from Kiwis, Scott McCook of Team Fernandez and John ‘Dead’ Keane of Auckland Power Boat Club.

Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Seri Ahmad Phesal Talib was present for the prize-giving and fringe events included the RC version of the F3000.

As for what Warren would do with his RM10,000 prize money, his father, who speaks on the teen’s behalf hinted there would be no shopping spree.

Explaining powerboat racing as a cost- heavy activity, the money will be reinvested in vessel maintenance as well as be put into savings for the teen’s future business ventures.

“One advice I give my children is to save their money. Don’t blow it on nice things because in the long run these will not be able to help you,” said Robert.

For now, while high hopes have been pinned on Warren to repeat his stellar performance in the upcoming Malaysian F3000 series, his father’s keenest wish is for him to concentrate on his studies.

“I tell him that studying is also like being in a competition. If he can receive prizes on the racing podium, he can also do the same on the school stage for getting good exam results,” added Robert.