About The Sport

Thundercat racing began in South Africa in the mid 1980s. The sport started in Australia as one class racing (Gemini only ) in 1995 and stayed one class racing for 3 years, paralleling the Uncle Tobys Ironman as the lunchtime event. The competitors eventually voted to open the competition to all brands of boats, as long as standard engines remained. Today there are 2 major branches based in NSW and Qld, with membership constantly growing. Each branch hosts a local
competition, with an State and National titles each year and several international events since 1999. Thundercats can regularly be seen on Channel 9, Foxtel, SBS, Optus Vision, international cable channels and some international flights.

About Thundercats

Thundercats are a 4.1 metre long inflatable catamaran style surf boat. Powered by standardised 50hp outboards, these boats are designed specifically for action in the surf. Thundercats can reach speeds of up to 90 km/h and jump up to 6 metres in the air. The hi-jackers underneath the inflatable hulls give incredible traction, enabling high cornering speeds. The primary purpose of a Thundercat is surf racing. Thundercats race at high speeds in surf of up to 5 metres and wind speeds up to 45 knots. Crews consist of a pilot and a co-pilot. The pilot drives from the rear of the Thundercat, while the co-pilot uses his weight to adjust the trim of the boat. Each crew has its own preferences for how they kit out their boat for racing, which includes grab handles and ropes.
However, every boat must have an approved propeller guard fitted for racing, as well as the mandatory safety gear worn by each crew member. Competition consists of a circuit race through the surf of between 4 and 8 laps. Races take place all around Australia, but mainly on the east coast. Safety is the first concern of all competitors. Thus, engines are standardised and cannot be modified.
Safety equipment is mandatory and all boats are scrutineered before each race. In addition, a crew must qualify in a number of minor rounds before being able to race at the national level.

Our Organisation

While Thundercat Racing appears to be a wild looking sport, it simply masks what in reality is a highly regulated sporting organization. The TRCA (Thundercat Racing Club Australia) is the National body which governs our sport and the Sub – Branches (currently Sydney , Brisbane and the Gold Coast).

Public Image

Rules that protect the public image of Thundercat Racing are embodied into the codes of conduct and are strictly enforced by RORTI Rules (Rules of Racing Thundercats Internationally) to ensure the protection of the sport, and the investments made by the sponsors and advertisers. Safety and public perception is given top priority. The TRCA is dedicated to full co-operation with environmental offices, local bodies, Surf Rescue, Surf Life Saving Clubs and the representatives of the Maritime Safety Authority whenever racing is held. Thundercats have mass appeal to all ages, male and female, offering great all year round entertainment. Sponsors and advertisers have been quick to secure their names on team race boats and race events, taking full advantage of the media frenzy, promotional opportunities and the thousands of spectators who now follow Thundercat Racing which is positioning itself to become one of the most prominent new sports of the twenty first century.

TYPES OF RACING

Surf Cross

Racing is run traditionally at surf beaches which provide spectacular jumps, thrills and spills with boats reaching 80kph in the surf. The teams battle it out over several laps on a rectangular shaped course running parallel to the shoreline in as little as 300mm of water.

Speed Circuit (Flatwater)

More identified with traditional speed boats and raced on a buoyed course on flat water.(E.g. F1 Superboat Series)

Long Haul

Long distance racing on either rivers, lakes, bays, or down the coastline. During a longhaul event there usually are compulsory stops where competitors must come ashore. Some of these stops involve compulsory re-fuelling. Endurance, reliability and team organisation become very important. Longhaul races can range between 50 - 200km with generally a mass start of all competitors.

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