With the Australian Offshore Championship joining the long list of COVID-19-forced cancelled events, the Australia-based 222 Offshore team is setting its sights on the 2021 season. The team’s plan will include a return to the American Power Boat Association Offshore Championship Series, where it finished second overall in its class in 2019.

The Australia-based 222 Offshore team proved fiercely competitive in the inaugural 2019 APBA Offshore Championship Series produced by the Offshore Powerboat Association and Powerboat P1 groups. Photo from the 2019 Great Lakes Grand Prix by Pete Boden copyright Shoot 2 Thrill Pix/speedonthewater.com.

“We’re working hard behind the scenes and taking the opportunity of being grounded in 2020 to make big plans for 2021,” said Skye Gregory, the team’s marketing manager. “We have the advantage of now being familiar with the racing sites in the U.S. and we’ve gained a solid supporter base over there.”

Even if the APBA series and Race World Offshore Key West Championships gone forward this year, the 222 Offshore team would not have been able to compete in them given Australia’s months-long travel restrictions.

“It’s been a tough year and we’re certainly missing our racing, but there is a bigger fight going on the world over,” said Darren Nicholson, the owner of the team. “In Australia, our borders are shut and International travel currently is out of the question.”

Added Gregory, “We really want to come back in 2021 with a new look and some exciting marketing initiatives.”

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