The 42' Fountain Global Warmer will be the lone entrant in the 110mph C Class at this year's Carib Great Race though driver Mark Bartlett has set his sights on chasing down the faster boats of the A (130mph) and B (120mph) groups. Speaking to the Guardian yesterday, he said that the crews of Monster, Mr Solo, Paramount, Fire One and Stampede could expect a strong challenge.
"We're the only boat in our class unfortunately so we will be running down the big boys," he said. "The race is not a sprint. You can't do 130 (mph) on the North Coast. You have to take your time and make sure the boat stays together."
Among the entrants in the top fleet, Bartlett singled out the 50' Paramount as the favourite to take this year's title.
"They look like them team to beat. If they don't break down I think they'll win. That boat is awesome."
Bartlett will be joined by throttleman Scott Pollonais in Global Warmer's second campaign in the annual event following it's fifth place finish in an hour and 38 minutes last year.
Bartlett brings with him years of experience driving Alien and Hauling Azz while Pollonais has been a crew member on Rough Neck and Miss Trinidad.
Before being raced in T&T, Global Warmer had been a regular at events in Key West, Florida. Bartlett said that while the team would benefit from rough conditions along the North Coast, anything as rough as last year would take a toll on his body.
"When the boat jumps out of the water that much your back takes a pounding," he said. "It takes about three or four days for your body to get back to normal."