Boat champ out of race

THIEVES have left a champion drag boat racer high and dry.
Beaconsfield man Russell Palmer has had to shelve all race plans for his boat, Stone Cold, after a key component from his boat’s engine was stolen.
Mr Palmer was shocked to discover the part, a supercharger worth $13,000, missing from his locked shed after his home had been raided.
“It’s absolutely buggered me,” Mr Palmer said.
“I’m a single dad. I can’t afford to replace it.”
The winner of a number of Australian and Victorian titles was preparing for a premium event in Melton when the supercharger was taken.
Pakenham Police said an unknown offender broke into the Amelia Close home through a side window some time between 12.30pm and 4.30pm on Tuesday, 10 January.
Drawers and cupboards were opened throughout the house but the only items taken were a camera, MP3 player and gold necklace, all of which had been sitting on tabletops.
Police said the thieves then took a key to the shed, where the boat’s motor was in pieces, and stole the supercharger, which weighs at least 45 kilograms, locking the shed behind them.
The only other things taken were a jetblack racing bag, with the helmet that had been in the bag left at the scene, and a BMX bike.
Narre Warren and Pakenham Police are investigating.
Mr Palmer said the supercharger was too heavy for one person to lift and thieves must have used the bike to manoeuvre it.
He said he could not understand why the thieves had left so much untouched in the house and targeted the supercharger.
“I’m certain it was someone with inside information, who was part of the industry,” he said.
“There are other things they could have taken for hard cash.”
The supercharger is a highly polished Enderle bugcatcher injector hat with three big circles, known as butterflies, in light anodised blue.
Run on methanol, the supercharger can attain about 1000 horsepower and with it the boat can reach speeds of 118 miles (190 kilometres) an hour.
It is a rarity in the industry, and can only be used in specific drag racingvehicles.
“The whole boat’s wrecked without this,” Mr Palmer said.
“It will take me years to replace. I’ve been kicked in the guts by them taking this.”
Mr Palmer will not be able to compete in the upcoming Australian and Victorian drag racing titles in March and June without this part.
He also has been ruled out of the Melton Gold Cup and Marge Watson Memorial Cup in Melton to be held from3 to 5 February.
Mr Palmer, an excavator by trade, started racing 11 years ago, first observing ski racer Dave Bradford.
He won two titles in 2004, finished second in the BAD (blown alcohol displacement) drag racing Australian title last year, first in a circuit race in November last year and third in the Glenmaggie Gold Cup.
His boat also features in the industry and has been put on display at many boat exhibitions, as well as Sexpo for the last three years, but without the key component, will no longer be able to be placed on display.
Mr Palmer said it would cost him at least $7000 to replace second hand and $13,000 new.
“It took me years to save that money up, aside from raising a family.”
Mr Palmer lives with son Dean, 12, and daughter Kristy, 17. His other daughter Jayde, 8, lives with her mother inLangwarrin.
Mr Palmer said any sponsorship would be greatly appreciated to help get him back on the water.
He said he was willing to offer a reward for information about the return of the part.
Anyone with information should call Pakenham Police on 5941 1033.