Bermuda’s David Selley and Steven Bridges asserted their dominance in the Super Stock Class, navigating challenging conditions to claim pole position at the IHRA New Orleans Powerboat Grand Prix Qualifiers.
The S-25 Team Bermuda crew delivered a clinical masterclass on the water, proving to be the class of the field despite the increasingly choppy conditions that tested the fleet’s technical limits. Selley and Bridges stopped the clock at a blistering 3:28.066, a time that remained untouched throughout the session and secured them the top spot for tomorrow’s main event.
While Team Bermuda celebrated at the front, fellow Bermudian pilot Luis Martins also found himself in the thick of the action. Competing in the S-12 Nuff Said alongside Nick Imprescia, Martins battled through the turbulent waters to record a time of 3:31.347. The performance was enough to secure a respectable fifth-place finish, putting the duo within striking distance of the leaders ahead of Sunday’s final.
The qualifying session served as a stern barometer for the teams, with the unpredictable surface in New Orleans forcing crews to find a delicate balance between raw speed and structural preservation. Selley and Bridges appeared to find that equilibrium almost instantly, showcasing the synergy that has made the S-25 one of the most feared outfits in the circuit this season.
With the starting grid now finalized, all eyes turn to the main race tomorrow. Selley and Bridges will lead the charge from the front, but with a crowded field and the potential for even rougher waters on the horizon, the battle for the podium remains wide open. For the Bermudian contingent, the stage is set for a high-stakes showdown in the Big Easy.
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