Former rally champions Raz and Ioana Vlad, have successfully transitioned to competitive boating, leveraging advanced Raymarine technology to dominate Time Trialling in Western Australia.
Raz and Ioana Vlad are a dynamic couple with a passion for precision and competition. Raz, a physicist, and Ioana, an emergency medicine doctor, have always shared a love for adventure and teamwork. Their journey began in the world of car rallies, where they competed semi-professionally. Raz’s accolades include winning the 2WD Australian Rally Championship in 2011 and the 2WD West Australian Championship four times. Ioana also made her mark by winning the 2WD Western Australian Championship as a navigator.
Transition to Boating
After retiring from rallying, Raz and Ioana sought a new challenge and turned to boating. They purchased their first boat, a 5.6m half cabin trailer boat named Koukla, which they still own today. Their interest in boating grew, and three years ago, they discovered Time Trialling, a power boat sport popular in Western Australia that shares similarities with regularity rallies.
To pursue their new passion, Raz and Ioana bought a Beneteau Antares 760 named Corinne Adele, equipped with Raymarine electronics. They began competing in Time Trialling with Corinne Adele in 2023. Their dedication paid off in 2024, their first full year of competition, when they won the Cruising and Power Yacht Association of Western Australia state championship and the Bob Stanford trophy, bringing both titles to the Royal Perth Yacht Club for the first time in over 20 years.
Following their successful 2024 season, Raz and Ioana upgraded to a Grand Banks 39 Eastbay named Freyja. Freyja came with older E-Series Raymarine chartplotters, which Raz upgraded to an Axiom 2 Pro 12 and an Axiom+ 9. He also installed a Raymarine Quantum 2 radar to enhance their night-time navigation on the Swan River.
Importance of Accurate Navigation
Time Trialling demands precise navigation, with penalties for every second early or late at checkpoints. Raymarine’s differential GPS, with accuracy regularly below 1m, was crucial to their success. Raz’s commitment to excellence led him to enter the Raymarine Summer Giveaway at the Perth Boat Show, where he won an Axiom 2 Pro 12 and a FLIR M232.
Eager to leverage the latest technology, Raz purchased the AR200 module to utilise Raymarine’s Augmented Reality capabilities. The AR200, combined with the FLIR M232 and Axiom chartplotters, enhances situational awareness by displaying navigation markers, AIS targets, and waypoints in real-time on the FLIR M232 image. This feature is particularly valuable in busy waterways like the Swan River in Perth.
The AR200 also provides image stabilisation for the FLIR M232, making it effective even in rough weather and at higher speeds. Additionally, it includes a differential GPS receiver, which can replace the RS150 GPS unit if needed.
Raz and Ioana Vlad’s journey from rallying to boating showcases their adaptability and commitment to excellence. Their success in Time Trialling is a testament to their skills and the advanced technology they employ. With their new boat Freyja and the latest Raymarine equipment, they are well-equipped to continue their winning streak and navigate the waters with confidence and precision.
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