In this episode, I welcome Australian Champion Circle Boat Racer Chris Palmer who is also the promoter of the Australian BAD Boat Championship.

The Australian Blown Alcohol Displacement (BAD) boats are some of the most exciting pieces of equipment in boat racing. The V-bottomed V-drives are powered by up to 600 cu. in., 2000 plus horsepower engines and race on tight courses on rough narrow rivers throughout Australia.

In researching the subject matter, I discovered that in Australia, flatbottoms and v-bottoms are considered displacement hulls because they displace water (pushing it out of the way) when they run as opposed to tunnel boats and hydros which run over the top of the water.

This year's championship is a continuation of Palmer's USA vs. Australia B.A.D. Boat Challenge that he started in 2007. Unfortunately, none of the US based K-boat teams were able to make the trek Down Under for the 2024 event. Round one of the event will be run January 20-21 in Windsor, New South Wales while the final round will culminate the following weekend, January 27-28 in Berri, South Australia. You can watch a livestream of the event on the event's Facebook page Australian BAD Boat Championship

In the episode, we discuss the many differences between Australian and American sprint boats and racing. Palmer talks about Australia's recent tragic years of loosing many racing legends and their new found commitment to safety that included legislating mandatory safety cells in the upper classes of displacement hulls.

In the episode, Palmer talks about his family's history in racing and his journey from driving hydros to BAD boats where he has won Australia's coveted Marj Watson Trophy five times.

It was interesting to learn of the time that Palmer spent competing in Judo. Palmer told stories about training all around the world. He has won multiple International, Continental and National championships and is currently a coath at the Ulverstone Judo Club.

You can follow Chris Palmer on Facebook @Chris Palmers Outlaw Racing You can follow the event on Facebook @Australian BAD Boat Championship and on Instagram @AUSPowerboat Promotions

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