Acceleration figures of 0-160 km/h in under three seconds and cornering forces similar to that of an F-18 jet fighter would suggest we were going to discuss an extreme variation of four-wheeled motorsports. What’s mind blowing about this equation though is that we’re talking about boats, but not just any boats; V8 Superboats (also called V8 Jetsprints).

An extreme category of competition in anyone’s language, V8 Superboats is a spectacle to behold, whether behind the wheel or on the bank spectating. The speed, the sound and the incredible performance of these stunning aluminium projectiles is addictive; once you see it for the first time, you’ll want to see again.

Despite holding multiple world championship titles in the category, Jetsprinting is actually a New Zealand invention, being born of the popular recreational jetboating phenomenon popular with visitors and tourists to New Zealand, almost 30 years ago.

Since that time the sport has spread to Australia [1987], the United States [1992] and the UK [2003], although it’s popularity is greatest in the southern hemisphere, with battles for supremacy typically waged between Australia and it’s eastern cousin.

Adapted around the concept of rally sprinting [cars], jetsprinting was originally contested on lakes and rivers, although ‘whitewater’ river courses were adapted to create a ‘circuit’ before finally purpose built courses were developed. Typically around 1.3 kilometres in length the course consists of one metre deep channels between four and eight metres in width, all built in an area equivalent to that of a football field.

Each boat has a driver and navigator who negotiate the channels in a pre-determined direction which is provided to them on race day. Each run consists of between 25 and 30 direction changes over a run that takes roughly 60 seconds to complete. Any ‘wrong direction’ runs result in a DNF - at speeds of up to 140km/h and with corners spaced very close together, decisions are split-second and the difference between a fast run and contact with the bank comes down to mere millimetres.

Each team has up to five timed qualifying runs, from which the top 12 compete again for the top six 'pre' final, finally providing a top three, with those final three teams given one last run to crown the event champion. Typically though consistency is the key, with points amassed for qualifying runs along with additional points for scoring well through the finals, often resulting in one of the podium finishers taking the top points for the day, despite not winning the overall event.