Paul Shepard wins Vaal River.

Paul Shepard got his quest for a sixth successive South African F1 Powerboat title off to a perfect start when he score a hat-trick of heat victories at the Emerald Casino Resort on the Vaal River earlier today. Elzane de Jager, racing her newly imported BaBa boat for the first time, finished second overall after two second places and a third. Robert Shepard’s consistency paid off and he filled the final podium position.

In the first heat Paul Shepard took the lead from the start and was never headed on his way to a convincing win. Behind him Elzane de Jager was the only one that was not lapped by the flying Dixon Premium Batteries driver. Robert Shepard brought his new boat home in third ahead of Lotto supported development driver Steven Zungu. Zungu, an ex-Formula 30 champion, was competing in his first Formula 1 race. Behind him was Darren Beattie, another newcommer to the world of Formula 1 racing.

 In the second heat Paul Shepard again took a comfortable victory but, behind him, the race of the day developed. Brett Stuart, who dropped out of the first heat with engine probles, was engaged in a major battle with Elzane de Jager for second. Eventually Stuart brought his Dixon Premium Batteries boat home just ahead of de Jager’s Emerald Casino Boat. Robert Shepard, Steven Zungu and Darren Beattie rounded out the top six.

In the third heat Shepard again had things under control at the head of the field and the major battle was between de Jager and Stuart. This time it was de Jager that prevailed and Stuart had to be content with third, albeit by the smallest of margins. Behind them the remaineder of the top six was the same as the second heat.