Coniston Records Week in bid to set new records
From 31 October to 4 November UK Powerboat Racers from all over the country will head to Coniston Water in Cumbria for the 41st Annual Coniston Records Week, in the bid to set new National and World speed records.
Coniston Power Boat Records Week is the only event in the powerboat racing calendar to bring together all classes of boat. From tiny hydroplanes, through inshore circuit racers to the largest offshore boats, entry is open to all. Competitors and officials from all over the country assemble annually for what has been a popular event since its inception in 1970, and is regarded as the grand finale to the racing season.
Spectators are welcome to come along and cheer the racers and on and enjoy the spectacle of these fearless racers in action.
Zapcat National Championships 2011 - Results, awards and final standings
Blue Sheets Racing claimed a Zapcat National title for the third year in a row at Fistral, Cornwall last weekend. Although pilot Craig Davis was shore-bound with a leg injury, the team still managed to race, with former racing adversary Jack Weller stepping in for the last two rounds.
Jack and co-pilot Rob Martin had some fast and furious racing over the weekend, battling with Team Suffolk and Angry Hornet amongst others to finish first on Friday and second on Saturday. This was enough to secure the overall National title (ZCR50 class) but left them a point short for the coveted Natioanl Surf Chapions award.
Congratulations to Craig, Jack and Rob for a great effort during the season.
Congratulations also, to Exe Jets, winners of the National Championships (ZCR50x class), as well as Team Suffolk, Angry Hornet, Live Wire, Team Essence, TradeMyMotor and all who raced this season.
Coroner expresses dissatisfaction with lack of side impact protection
The RYA says head to head racing in Offshore Circuit Racing (OCR) style boats has been temporarily suspended for the remainder of the 2011 season.
The decision will affect the two remaining events at Guernsey and Stewartby, although time trials and “Top Gun” match racing can continue.
“Clearly this is an extremely serious decision and one that we have not taken lightly,” said the RYA powerboat racing manager John Puddifoot. “We have consulted with the chairman of the Powerboat Racing Committee and the chairman of the Offshore and Circuit Racing Committees, as well as the clubs which were organising the two remaining races of the season.”
Luke Hugman uses 18 point lead to seal the championship
Last weekend (24/25 September) 19 year old Luke Hugman from Lowestoft secured his second British Powerboat Racing title for 2011 when he clinched the championship title in the OSY400 class.
Heading in to the final round of the British Championships held at Stewartby, Bedford, Luke had established a 10 point lead over championship rival James Bowman in the bid to claim the title, but could he hold on to it in the blustery conditions?
Hugman’s lead had been established during the previous three rounds, with a third in the opening round at Carr Mill in back in May and a win in the next round at Bodymoor after establishing pole position and taking three heat wins.
Title secured in British RYA GT30 Championship
Over the weekend of 24/25 September the final round of the British RYA Championships were contested at Stewartby Powerboat Club, Bedford. The championships have seen competitors battle it out in various locations across the UK to secure the British RYA championship titles.
Over 50 competitors have competed in the seven different championship classes throughout the season with ages of competitors ranging from as young as 10 up to their early 70’s.
In one of the most hotly contested campaigns of the year, that didn’t see the same people on the podium at any venue this season, it was 15 year old Natalie Craddock from Wigan who emerged on top and secured the 2011 British RYA GT30 championship title, becoming the first female British Circuit Racing champion in the last decade.
Conditions look good for a fight to the finish
With the final two rounds of the 2011 Zapcat Championships rapidly approaching, the outcome of all the trophies will be down to more than likely the deciding finals on Saturday afternoon on Fistral Beach, Newquay, Cornwall.
With two new weight class (ZCR50 & ZCR50X) winners to be crowned along with the Team, Rookie, Surf, Celtic and Mixed Championships as well as the Newquay Grand Prix title as well it is certainly going to throw up some decisions for teams on how they approach each qualifying heat race and finals on Friday and Saturday.
That is if the conditions don't already decide it for them. Will it be safe and smooth running or simply to throw caution to the wind in the surf?
Fierce competition from rival
Lancashire Powerboat Racing Club’s Malcolm Goodman (29) headed to Stewartby Powerboat Racing club, Bedford last weekend (24/25 September) for the final round of the 2011 British RYA F2 Championship, where he was to face fierce competition from rival Paul Balfourt.
Goodman went into the weekend with a comfortable 21 point lead on club mate Paul Balfour, but knew that any wrong move or mistakes and Paul would capitalise on them and could take the championship.
There were a total of ten contenders battling it out for the coveted 2011 British Title in what has been one of the most exciting championship campaigns throughout the year and the finals were set to not disappoint either.
Making him World, European and twice British Champion for 2011...
Powerboat racing wonder kid, Ben Jelf, secured his second British powerboat racing title of 2011 last weekend (24/25 September) in the final rounds of the British RYA Circuit Powerboat Championships becoming the 2011 British RYA JT250 Champion.
Run over four rounds throughout the season, the championship has seen eight youngsters challenge for the British title. Facing a variety of conditions at the different venues all the young competitors raced with dedication, promise and experience beyond their years.
The final weekend
Heading into the final weekend in the JT250 class just two points separated championship leader Teague Stroud (13, Lowestoft) and 2011 GT15 World Champion Ben Jelf (11, Maidstone). It was clear the battle would be intense and would go down to wire, with only one reigning victorious.
'Head to Head' racing suspended for 2011
Head to head racing in OCR style boats has been temporarily suspended for the remainder of the 2011 season. This will affect the two remaining events at Guernsey and Stewartby. Time trials and “Top Gun” match racing can continue.
John Puddifoot RYA Powerboat Racing Manager: “Clearly this is an extremely serious decision and one that we have not taken lightly. We have consulted with the Chairman of the Powerboat Racing Committee and the Chair of the Offshore and Circuit Racing Committees, as well as the clubs which were organising the two remaining races of the season.
The safety of the competitors and the long term sustainability of the sport lay at the heart of this decision. The reason for this decision arises out of concerns regarding side impact protection for drivers and navigators.”
Edox flip and Typhoo retires with engine mount problems
Liverpool Grand Prix of the Sea (10-11 September) saw the finale of the 2011 RYA British P1 SuperStock Championships. 14 Championship Teams headed to the new-look Mersey River Festival which returned for the first time since 2005 for the 5th and final round of the 2011 campaign.
Amongst the 14 teams were Helvetia Wealth’s Shelley Jory-Leigh and Navigator Dan Smith who after their Silver medal in Cowes 2 weeks earlier were back and hungry for another podium finish.
As Saturday’s race loomed racers were faced with taxing conditions with a slight swell and 18 knots of wind creating challenging racing conditions for all the teams involved.