BSR BLOG

Ben, our pilot from the 2007 season, has unfortunately had to pull out of racing this year for a number of reasons.

As such, we had to find another team to fly the Blue Sheets flag.  Just as with busses and policeman, none were available then two turned up at once.

We would like to introduce the following teams;

Steve and Bobby Pidsley in Blue Sheets II and Nial and Jimmy Hoddinott in Boat Register.

Steve raced last year as co-pilot in Go Commando and has taken the driving seat this year with his son Bobby as co-pilot.

Nial & Jimmy have owned a Zapcat for two years but never raced.  They decided it was about time to put the boat through it’s paces and will have their first race at Stokes Bay.

We wish both teams the best of luck for the season ahead.

Our new sponsorship pack is now available and can be viewed/downloaded at www.bluesheets.co.uk/bsr/bsr-sp-08.pdf (0.7mb).

The team have bigger, better and faster plans for 2008 with a new hull and engine along with expert training and maintenance from one of South Africa’s leading racers, Mike Hatting.

As well as exposure at the races, sponsors can expect a high level of promotion through the race site as well as the main Blue Sheets website and publication.  A number of other sites will be involved including SailingNetworks.com, Sail TV and Goodwill Raid.

With the 2008 season fast approaching, we are now seeking sponsors interested in being involved with the team, the website and the exposure that go with both.

We have many sponsorship packages available, which can include the following:

1. Branding on-

The boat
All team clothing
All team vehicles
All publications
All merchandise
The website
All boat shows attended

2. Extensive promotion via our publication and website

3.  Use of both the boat and the crew at events throughout the year (product launches, etc).

4.  Corporate trips in the boat

5.  Inclusion of company name in team name

As well as taking part in the Zapcat UK championships, we will be featuring at many of the high profile single day races throughout the year.  There is also the option of racing in the Trans Agulhas endurance race in South Africa.

We will be publishing our sponsorship pack shortly which will provide more information.

What better way to support your favourite racing team than by wearing one of our stylish Blue Sheets Racing t-shirts! 

These high quality, white t-shirts are 100% cotton, hard wearing and come with the original front, back and sleeve prints.

Guaranteed to turn heads at race events or during the post-race celebrations at the pub, these tees are only £12.95 + P & P and can be ordered online.

Polo shirts are also available.  Visit www.bluesheets.co.uk/bsr/merchandise.asp for more details.

Dwarfed but not intimidated by the magnificent P1 Powerboats we took part in The Isle of Wight Challenge- Round the Island Race. The sun shone down hard on Cowes making for a truly spectacular weekend. After spending our time on the ferries gathering local knowledge as to recent weather and sea conditions we hoped to make the appropriate prop choice. It was only my second time in a cat but I’d been working hard on my stamina and fitness so felt prepared for all aspects of the challenge but navigational.

I’d listened to too many people telling me to just keep the island on my left and set off with no GPS, no maps and no prior knowledge of the island. We got off to a great start though, and watching the lead boat pass on the wrong side of our first mark, Sconce buoy, I was suprised to find Ben listening to me and leaving it to port as id instructed.

Later in the race we somehow still decided to stick with our pre-event plan of - ‘follow the boat in front’ At the drivers briefing we had been warned to ‘keep out at Benbridge over rocks’ maybe travelling out to Nab Tower was a little too far?  I’d like to say we followed them in the interest of putting safety above racing, not wishing to see them come to harm alone, but the red mist had taken over and the idea of catching them was far too appealing.
It was a very enjoyable race, Ben’s driving was spot on, I was very impressed and it was a lot choppier than we had expected in places, but he was in the zone and we made fast progress. Having held our position as second fastest boat we felt it was a good first race for us as a new pairing and will for certain place more importance next time on sticking to course. We gave it our all yet when the chequered buoys appeared, still felt good for another lap. I loved being out there and hope a much bigger long haul challenge raises its head soon enough.

Sundays Top Gun demonstration, pitting the Thundercats not only against each other but the jet boat boys, was a great laugh and a new experience for us both. The 180 degree turns would have been unfamiliar even in the Blue Sheets Racing hull but we were out in a borrowed boat whilst the new Blue Sheets boat was being prepared for its first Zapcat outing at Bournemouth.

We had a lot of power behind us that day, coupled with my lack of weight in the front and the choppy conditions it must have been a handful for Ben to handle. We spent a little too much time in the air and very almost flipped it sideways at one point giving the crowd the entertainment they had come for. Much to my suprise I held on, stayed in and trusted Ben to get me safely through all the races which he did. Superb weekend and great P1 hospitality.

Good luck to Ed and Ben and to the brand spanking new boat, just remember Bournemouth is simply a warm up exercise to Watergate Bay, have a great one guys.

Author: Nic - Co Pilot

Photo courtesy of Tim Stevens http://www.timstevensphoto.co.uk/