Tongala’s record breaking Dinghy Derby racers, Marley and Garry “Spanner” McConnell negotiate a bend in a creek which was part of the 100 kilometre race. Photos courtesy Swatty Photography.
A Tongala father and son duo have beaten competitors from five states to claim a national dinghy river racing title and, in the process, have set an all time record in the event.
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Marley McConnell and his father, Garry (Spanner), completed the 100 kilometre course in one hour, 31 minutes and 38 seconds - a record for the 25 horsepower class.
“We were shocked to find out we had beaten the second boat by six and half minutes and, in the process, had broken the record by 37 seconds,” Gary McConnell said.
“Afterwards we were told it was a record most racers never thought would be broken.”
The victory followed their championship win in November last year when their boat, known as Little Man Racing, was unbeaten in the various disciplines contested by the dinghy racers.
Former ski racers, the pair have successfully transitioned to dinghy racing in the South Australian event over the last two years.
They finished third in the 2022 championship, then runner-up in 2023 — before claiming the 2024 title. Their “tinny” is fitted with a modified propeller, powered by a two-stroke Yamaha engine, bolted to a Stacer 315 aluminium hull.
The McConnells departed on Thursday for their latest title success, spending three hours surveying the creeks and stretch of river that make up the course.
A four day commitment from the Tongala “tinny” racing team included a spectacular Friday night event which ended with fireworks at the finish line.
They won both their heats on Friday, crossing the finish line of the evening session under lights as fireworks were set off in front of a 2000 strong crowd.
They qualified first in the 25 horsepower class and after another practice session on Saturday were fully prepared for Sunday’s major event.
Needless to say the pair, who spent two hours on Sunday plotting their course along the Renmark stretch of the Murray River , were extremely happy with their performance.
It was hardly smooth sailing, however, the three and a half hours they spent scrutineering and preparing for the Sunday morning race being frustrated by an early issue with their speed.
“About five minutes into race our speed dropped 10km an hour, so I started pumping fuel into the primer franticly, while we were still racing,” Garry said.
After negotiating the twisting and turning section of the course that is Kylie’s Creeks and Carnage Corner the pair discovered weeds wrapped around the prop of the outboard engine.
One removed they returned to full speed, passing a number of boats in the 30 horsepower class despite having to stop twice because of incidents.
“Our success would not have happened with out the help and ideas of our fellow competitors. We would also like to thank the Riverland Dinghy Club and all the volunteers for making these great races happen,” he said.
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