Morne Herholdt blended raw speed with brute strength to stamp his authority on the second leg of the F1 Powerboat National Championships at the East Rand Speedboat Club at CR Swart Dam on February 21.

The tone was set early. Herholdt ripped through the time trial in a blistering 46.04 seconds, drawing applause from the packed shoreline as he powered back to shore. It was a statement of intent, and he backed it up when the racing began.

In the opening heat, Herholdt burst into the lead and quickly built a commanding gap. Michael Wessels, winner of the opening event of the season in September, gave chase and steadily trimmed the deficit, but Herholdt had done enough in the early stages to keep control. He held firm to the chequered flag to secure the win, with Wessels second and Nico Wessels completing the podium.

The script barely changed in the second heat. Herholdt once again proved untouchable at the front, with Michael Wessels and Nico Wessels following in the same order as the first race.

By day’s end, Herholdt stood tall as the overall winner with a commanding 800 points. Michael Wessels finished second, 200 points behind, while Nico Wessels claimed third on 450 points.

Debutant Kyle Merrington impressed with a fourth-place overall finish on 296 points, and James Sampson rounded out the top five with 222 points.

The season began in September at Emerald Resort and Casino on the Vaal River. A new champion will crowned this year, as reigning champion Keagan Franckiewicz is still recovering from the injury he sustained at the last race of the previous season.

The event featured races for junior and other classes, including the hardbottoms and GT15, alongside the main F1 race.

Also Read: Watch: Red Bull F1 car roars to SA anthem

Also Read: Local racers take on F1 drivers