The Northern Rivers Aquatic Club have postponed the 2025 Jacaranda Classic after the Bureau of Meteorology issued a Flood Watch for the Northern Rivers region during the week, including the possibility of moderate to major flooding for the Clarence River as Tropical Cyclone Alfred continues to move south along the Queensland and NSW coastline.
Some of the fastest boats and boldest drivers in Australia were set to journey to the Clarence Valley for the event this weekend, with hundreds of spectators tipped to line up along the riverbank in Grafton’s Corcoran Park as the sport made a long awaited and highly anticipated return.
More than 30 vessels, including Whitenoise GP888, a full composite carbon fibre kevlar speedboat owned by Secretary of the Northern Rivers Aquatic Club Grant Heeley and his wife Karin which won the prestigious EC Griffith Cup in 2024 when driven by Ricky Howard, were scheduled to compete in a spectacular display of circuit and drag racing over a 650m course while exceeding 150mph, with a number of entrants planning to travel from as far as Mackay and Sydney to race on the Clarence River.
Mr Heeley said the family friendly event was sure to have been a smash hit with the public.
The Northern Rivers Aquatic Club wish to acknowledge local businesses including Jacaranda Laundry, Loving Life FM103.1, Wicks and Parker, and Stephenson Partners for their ongoing support, and issued a statement via Facebook revealing a new date for the event would be set as soon as possible.