Daren – thank you for joining us today it must be difficult with the upcoming Barry Island GP knowing that you will just be a spectator, tell us what happened in the Round 5 final at Edinburgh?

We got caught up with #25 (Angry Hornet) and #73 (Bluesheets II) and came out with 7ft rip in the side of our boat and a dinked collarbone, no one’s fault that’s racing even worse #25 is my team mate.

I know you don’t try and make a habit of these things but you always seem to have at least one fairly spectacular racing incident each season along with a handful of spills and flips – when you are on the beach at Barry in a couple of weeks do you think you will relive in your mind how you felt last year with Sam?

That was the scariest moment I have had in 5 years racing, as you are aware Sam is family so I could do without losing a branch of the family tree!  But he has recovered fully and all is well, also can I apologize to past and present co-pilots Nick, Bob, George, Claire and Kelly for any injuries sustained during the last 5 years!

You are one of the fortunate teams to have good sponsorship in your case from Speedy Services do you think that adds extra pressure racing for results rather than just fun as some privateers do or do you still find time to smell the roses so to speak and enjoy your racing?

I must thank Speedy for all the support this year and in previous seasons - they do demand value for money so it’s very important to promote the brand at every event, I am very fortunate to get full backing this year.

Like any sport the better you do at it the more disappointed you are when you miss an opportunity to get maximum points.

With this does come the added pressure to deliver good results and the pressure is on at every event but despite it all I love it and do enjoy the race weekends.

Incidents and injuries aside when do you think you will be fit enough and given the all clear again to race?

I have been told I cannot race by my wife to be, who said if I get back in the boat this year the wedding is off!

So I am in training for Fistral Ha Ha, well I bought a suit now so there no going back!  (So Team Manager giving team orders now - joking aside congratulations to the both of you.)

This is the first season since your first I think that you have had a regular female co-pilot how has it been teaming up with Kelly Allen?  She is very experienced and highly competitive does she gel with you’re sometimes laid back approach?

No!

She kicks my butt on the beach but I don’t mind because I can get her back once she’s in the boat!

Kelly wants to win as much as the rest of the team we just don’t talk about it as much as she does, a great co-pilot and balls of steels, if you know what I mean?!

Chris Savage is a good mate of yours and a work colleague also supports you at each race event, why have you not raced with him in the past or would you miss his expertise and assistance on the beach?

Because he’s scared!!

Also too many pies now means he is far more use on the beach.

Chris has been the backbone of the team over the years and is still as passionate about the sport and treats it as if every event is our first one.

Ignoring crashes how is the season going what are your goals for the Speedy team now?

Finish in the top 3 or die trying!

(Not with your record Daren or certainly not the latter please - anyway you will be on the beach supporting your super subs, a former national champion, team champion and rumour has it the Stig?)

You have been in the thick of it for the last two or three seasons, if not in the top 5 then pulling off consistent thirds and in ’09 the only team other than Bluesheets to win a GP – at Barry I seem to remember – why do the teams like Barry so much?

Because Barry is a small bay it keeps out the worst of the chop and provides some nice small rollers which make great ramps!!

What can first time visitors to a Zapcat event expect to see and which venue(s) would you recommend them going to for a great family day out?

Barry and Fistral (Newquay) are the most spectacular for some serious air time and beach starts are great to watch, even if you have a co-pilot who is 4 foot like Kelly! LOL

Kids and adults of all ages love watching the racing or is it just to see me crash?  I do like to entertain and I do push it sometimes.

Apart from Newquay as everyone says that which are your favourite venues of all time?

Bournemouth is a great venue lot of sun, sand, spectators and one of the few venues we haven’t crashed at?   .................... I think??

Thank you Daren, great talking to you and I hope you will come and assist us with the commentary at the next three events.