It is about time to say farewell to Mick Pritchard as a racer and welcome him on to the beach as part of the Championship Management team. Mick competed in his first full season in 2006, following lots of practice he and his new co-pilot Baz Minns secured their Rookie Championship very early on and finished 4th in the National Championship with a second place in the Southern Championships.

2007 was a full on assault on the title with the Nationals sewn up before the season closing event, but the double of King of the Surf was their target and they carried this off in style with maximum points!

2008 was all about defending both titles - consistency, attention to detail with some very skillful and at times audacious driving meant that they were on target for both, despite fierce competition.

Fate always seems to intervene in the best sports and Zapcat Racing is no exception. A freak wave and Mick had his weekend ruined in dramatic fashion; it wasn’t until later in the day that he also found out that his back was not in great shape either! Thanks to Neil Fraser (returning to race Rana Park this year) stepping in to take the tiller, the National and Surf titles were not decided, quite fittingly until the last final of the season. The team Championship was also won with Craig and Dan driving their Vortex Racing sponsored boats.

Mick spent most of the winter months fighting another battle for his fitness as well as a nonsensical protest regarding the legitimacy of his win. Not only were the Zapcat rules upheld and his titles stood but he made a full recovery through a lot of support from friends and family especially his wife Lucy.

Don’t even consider for one moment that you now have a free run at all the prizes and titles; we have many old racers returning this year and you may even see a couple of appearances later on with the first competitive outing for the only Gemini Factory Team Zapcat outside of South Africa being driven by Mick!

Mick likes to think of himself as the self styled “Maverick of Zapcat Racing” he is however one tough, single minded competitor who sets himself a goal no matter how outrageous and goes all out to achieve it. He knows the rules and has made it his business to learn how to get the best out of his boat. With his game face off this year there may even be a few photos with the occasional smile – and if he gives you any tips and advice, irrespective that it may be delivered as a back handed comment then you may just at least once want to try it out and it will probably work!

Thank you for some very entertaining racing, enthusiasm, passion, help and support over the last few years.

Photo Credit - Shaun Boggust "If he looks like this when he has just won - I'd hate to see him lose"