Lance is solid gold

Lance’s uncle, Chris Edmonds, handed down Solid Gold earlier in the year. Lance will be putting Solid Gold back into the water December 3, in Temora. Image supplied.

By Kimberly Grabham

Six G forces (g) is approximately the same as what astronauts in a space shuttle re-entering the Earth’s atmosphere would feel. That’s the same force that Lance Edmonds pulls when he is Superboat racing in LS Class.

Being in the navigation chair with his uncle in 2001 catalysed his passion for the sport.

“I’ve been heavily involved in the field for two years, as part of the pit crew for my uncle,” Lance said. Lance made his successful LS Class debut in August this year.

Chris Edmonds, Lance’s uncle, has been a mainstay in Superboats, which is open class, with unlimited engine rules, for decades.

“He can run upwards of 1500 horsepower (hp). LS Class is far more restricted with what we are permitted to do with our engines,” Lance said.

“We have a maximum of approximately 550 horsepower, which is still quite a bit for a small boat of 500 kilograms.”

Nobody’s arguing that 550 hp and 6g is mighty hefty, but Lance has ambitions to be in the same class as his uncle in the next two years, and it is very achievable.

“We have been really lucky to have a lot of local support, such as AutoGo stocking all of the spare parts we might need, and DG Harrisons doing our metal fabrication jobs. Steven Ruberto, a former Hay local, is one of the mechanics who works on the engine for the boat,” Lance said.

When asked if his daughters share the passion and go to his races, he brightens. “Yeah, they do. Hopefully I’ll get at least one of the girls in the nav seat in the future,” he said with a smile. Temora is Solid Gold’s next outing, on December 3, Penrite V8 Superboats – Lake Centenary.

After that, a local outing at Griffith, Penrite V8 Superboats – Lake Wyangan, Griffith, NSW, on February 11 2023, which will be a good chance for some Hay supporters and enthusiasts to get over and cheer on the team.

Congratulations, Lance, we are sure that you will be tearing around in unlimited class in no time!