THE Royal Australian Navy has taken the Ford versus Holden battle to the water with V8 Supercar aces Will Davison, Mark Winterbottom, Karl Reindler and Tony D'Alberto.

The drivers, in Darwin for the Skycity Triple Crown, were given a front row seat in highly manoeuvrable rigid hull inflatable boats (RHIB) in choppy seas as the crew of HMAS Broome hosted the Ford Performance Racing, Brad Jones Racing and Tony D'Alberto Racing teams.

The drivers were treated to a handling display and patrol boat tour as the crew members gave the utility boat "a shakedown" as they prepared for another Operation Resolute patrol targeting illegal activity in Australian waters.

HMAS Broome Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Kylie Beumer RAN, said her crew enjoyed being able to take the time to show the V8 Supercar drivers how they worked.

"We have a few car racing fans onboard and we always get a buzz out of showing people what we do every day at sea," she said.

"We are about to embark on another patrol so having the race drivers here lets them see what we do and how our team works to keep the ship on track for whatever our job throws up."

The racing teams' visit was coordinated by the Navy Domestic Engagement Program and gave personnel the chance to mix with the team members over a sausage sizzle before hitting the water for a RHIB ride.

Tony D'Alberto said "it has been so much fun going out on the water today; I think our outstanding performance in the RHIB is a great omen for Ford finishing out in front this weekend!"

Navy personnel also chipped in with a raffle and contributed over $1700 to the pit lane fundraising initiative for Brad Jones Racing team driver Jason Richards who is battling stomach cancer.