Tim Fetherstonhaugh put the fuel problems he suffered during time trials yesterday behind him when he raced to a comfortable win in the first heat of the Chris Hani District Municipality F1 Powerboat Grand Prix at the Bonkolo Dam a few minutes ago. Starting from sixth on the grid the Port Alfred driver powered his way to second place behind Brett Stuart by the end of the first lap. Pole sitter Elzane de Jager was third. Fetherstonhaugh made his move on the fourth lap and, once he got past Stuart, controlled things from the front for the rest of the race.

Elzane de Jager looked to have things sown up in third place but a late charge by Robert Shepard nearly allowed him past. As is often the case with racing catching someone is one thing, passing them is another and de Jager managed to hold on to third. Steven Zungu ended in fifth with Andre Kemp in sixth. Terri Mitchell's race came to a premature end when a broken fuel line left her stranded on the circuit while visiting Norwegian driver Marit Strømøy's boat did not get off the start line.