From jet boat to GT4

Former jet-boat river racer Nigel Cromie will swap his 1,500hp jet turbine-powered vessel for a 462hp McLaren 570S GT4 when the Rodin Cars Super GT Series gets under way at Highlands Motorsport Park next month.

The Christchurch-based driver is relatively new to circuit racing, albeit with a start in karting before taking to the flowing rivers of Canada and New Zealand. 

In 2019, he and navigator Bruce Alexander placed third at the world championships in Canada.

“It’ll actually be nice to race something that has brakes,” quips Cromie.

Jet-boat river racing involves high-powered boats navigating challenging waterways at speeds of more than 200kph.

“There aren’t really too many similarities between the jet boat and the McLaren,” he adds. “Obviously the boat is incredibly fast. We can get 242kph out of the boat when the conditions are right.

“However, it will be nice to race something without getting wet. Having had a couple of big accidents in the boat, the car will certainly be a lot safer.”

He’s eager to get behind the wheel of his Cromie Motor Group GT4 when the series begins n January.

“The field of cars looks very exciting and there are some quality drivers,” says Cromie, pictured below.

“I think we’re going to four of the best circuits in New Zealand and the compactness of the summer’s calendar is great.

“I’ve got no real expectations, but we would like to be consistently in the mid-pack in the GT4 class.”

The Rodin Cars Super GT Series starts on January 15 at Highlands in Cromwell. It will be followed by the second round at the Mike Pero Motorsport Park in Rupauna, Christchurch, on January 22-23.

The series then heads to Hampton Downs for February 12-13 before the final round in Taupo on March 26-27.