The Upper Hawkesbury Power Boat Club has been in limbo following a competition ban placed on the unrestricted horsepower boats by the Australian Powerboat Association in April.

This followed the deaths of Tamworth's Brian McCosker and American David Bryant within 24 hours in separate accidents on the Manning River at Taree.

Both drivers encountered catastrophic engine failures at peak speed and were thrown from their boats.

The Australian Power Boat Association (AFBA) has insisted that all unlimited powerboats must be fitted with special ``whirl-away'' power boxes which prevent their 1500hp engines from locking up solid and not allowing propellers to rotate.

Drivers must also wear a special mandated parachute jacket that offers added protection.

``The APBA ban was totally supported by the Upper Hawkesbury Powerboat Club (UHPBC) and all entrants across Australia agreed that Brian and David should never have lost their lives without the sport learning important lessons,'' John Davoll, the UHPBC executive, said.

The two-day War On Water regatta at Windsor Marine Stadium has attracted the best line-up of national talent in the 26-year history of the classic.

One of the most outstanding entrants in The Hills is front-runner Greg Hamilton in his Ford SVO NASCAR boat Freedom.

Hamilton, who came first in the Taree Easter Classic and the Windsor Gold Cap, is the six-litre class standout and is known in racing circles as ``The Hammer'' or ``Mr Thrills from the Hills''. His boat has been radar trapped at 140km/h on the front straight at Windsor Marine Stadium.

Victorian hero Brett Shepherd will debut his new boat Unleashed 2.

South Australian Trevor Stanley Agent Orange and Queensland ace Alf Airborn are also ones to watch out for.