WAYNE HERBERT BIO

OWNER DRIVER - K50 GHOST OF COLD FIRE

RACED UNBLOWN FUEL HYDRO FOR 10 TEARS IN VARIOUS USA DRAG BOAT RACING SANCTIONING BODIES. STARTED IN K BOATS DURING 2004 WITH GREAT ASSISTANCE FROM ENGINE BUILDER AND TUNER BUBBY WILTON AND USA FLATBOTTOM LEGEND JULIAN PETTENGILL.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   2007 SUPER STOCK RACING ASSOCIATION K BOAT ROOKIE OF THE YEAR.

2007 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA SPEED BOAT CLUB BAKERSFIELD SPRING CLASSIC 3RD PLACE OVERALL K BOAT.

2007 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA SPEED BOAT CLUB LONG BEACH SPRINT NATIONALS 3RD PLACE OVERALL K BOAT.

2008 BURLEY, IDAHO REGATTA 3RD PLACE OVERALL K BOAT.

2008 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA SPEED BOAT CLUB LONG BEACH SPRINT NATIONALS

 2ND PLACE APBA SUMMER NATIONALS CHAMPIONSHIP K BOAT.

2009 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA SPEED BOAT CLUB LONG BEACH SPRINT NATIONALS 1ST PLACE APBA SUMMER NATIONALS CHAMPIONSHIP K BOAT.                              

WAYNE DRIVING TATTOO 666 EASTER 2010

For powerboat racing fans both Australian and American the name COLDFIRE is very well known. Legendary American boat builder and racer Julian Pettingill raced a series of Green Biesmeyer flatbottom boats between 1971 and his retirement from racing in 1983. Julian and engine builder Bubby Wilton were unbeatable in the K-50 COLDFIRE no matter where they raced across America. Julian built and raced four COLDFIRE boats during this time, all were destroyed in racing accidents

In 1980 Australian John Robinson contacted Julian to build him a Biesemeyer race boat, a deal was done and a brand new Biesemeyer named COLDFIRE was sent to Australia. At the invitation of John, Julian made the trip downunder and raced the boat at Pykes creek reservoir in Victoria.

The boat has remained in Australia ever since and enjoyed a successful racing career but in recent years appearances by the boat have been limited. Local race fans may have been lucky enough to see the boat at last years boat racers reunion held in July at Forster. Dave Carroll (former driver of the B.A.D boat COBBA ) drove the boat on the beautiful waters of Forster Keys much to the delight of the large crowd.

Fast forward to this years Taree Easter Classic and John Robinson has entered the Aussie COLDFIRE with Dave Carrol handling the driving duties. One of the three visiting American drivers in attendance for this years event, Wayne Herbert has more than a passing interest in the Aussie COLDFIRE boat. Herbert himself a quite successful circuit and drag boat driver contacted Julian Pettingill in 2004 enquiring as to where he could buy a genuine Biesemeyer race boat. He purchased a 1975 built boat from Julian and together the pair set about recreating the original COLDFIRE boat raced by Julian all those years ago. With an engine built to the exact original specifications by original engine builder Bubby Wilton the boat K-50 GHOST OF COLDFIRE was born and is an exact replica of Julian's original race boat.

DAVE CARROLL DRIVING COLD FIRE 2010

With help from Julian and Bubby, Wayne and K-50 GHOST OF COLDFIRE have gone on to have a successful circuit racing career in the USA culminating with the boat winning the 2009 national championships at Long beach marine stadium in California. not bad for a 34 year old boat !

When offered the chance to come to race in Taree, Wayne Herbert couldn’t believe his luck. Herbert stated " the chance to come Downunder and race at one of the worlds premier race venues is a dream come true, but to actually see the aussie COLDFIRE boat makes it just that little bit more special "

To see COLDFIRE and more than 120 other race boats dont miss this years Taree Easter Power Boat Classic held Easter longweekend April 2-4. spectator entry is free and racing starts at 10am Saturday and Sunday.

And where did the COLDFIRE name come from ? it was the name of the shade of green paint used to paint the original boat.