Zapcat Racing returned to Whitmore Bay for the third year in a row thanks to the Vale of Glamorgan Council and assistance of everyone in Barry Island who helped to make this very popular venue and event happen once again.
For the Friday press day we were joined by Courtenay Hamilton (Miss Wales 2010) along with team Speedy Hire stand in pilot Justin Whithorn and co-pilot Kelly Allen with very flat and sunny conditions great for the gathered photographers who saw Courtenay co-pilot and pilot a Zapcat for the very first time.
“That was awesome, so amazing!” was heard quite a few times!
Round 7 heats got under way on Saturday, unfortunately with several teams making last minute withdrawals, a couple due to work related injuries leaving 16 teams to battle it out and for the first time this season with more teams in the ZCR50X class (heavy weight crews) than their lighter counterparts in the ZCR50s.
In the 50s Team Suffolk were back on form with father and son Greg and Kieron Richardson duelling with Angry Hornet and Bluesheets I for vital heat wins and in the 50X, Exe Jets were maintaining their winning form but with hot competition from Trademymotor and Live Wire as well as the experienced Commando team of Contact Wait Out.
The double M shape course frustrated many of the teams and with an increasing sea breeze and a small shore dump on the falling tide this slower technical section provided some fantastic opportunities to photographers and spectators alike to see the action literally only a few yards away!
In their last heat of the day Trademymotor and Westgate had an unfortunate coming together and with a burst sponson Jack Weller was unable to compete in the 50X final but with the very generous and sportsman like loan of a boat from team 44 for Sunday their weekend was not over.
This left the Exe Jets to secure a clean sweep on the day with a hard fought second from Live Wire with stand in co- pilot Ed Morris and the Holt brothers in Contact Wait Out in third. Charles Morris brother of Ed in fourth place in Westgate Buildings the first time this Welsh team has not been on a podium at Barry was determined to do better on Sunday.
In the lightweight final Team Suffolk had another flying start and were leading into the first turn when a red flag was raised as officials were not happy with pursuing boat breaking their formation too early. Suffolk managed to repeat their fast beach start and held their position over the 5 laps to beat Bluesheets I and Angry Hornet who were very close throughout the race.
Sunday’s Round 8 opened with grey skies, then driving rain and a stiff onshore wind with thoughts of very unreadable conditions for the rest of the day and after practice almost on cue the sun came out and the wind had dropped by the second heat.
However first swimmer of the weekend and by admission due to some very over aggressive turns in Live Wire was stand in co-pilot Barry Jones head of newly formed Zapcat Racing Spain – Barry said “That was great fun but that is enough for me today James needs someone younger and fitter in the boat – the safety team were amazing so quick to respond!”
After that little bit of entertainment heats resumed without a break as a huge storm was progressing up the Bristol Channel providing a very dark and dramatic backdrop to the racing in sunshine. The last heats of the day were completed just in time as waterspouts and lightning were spotted and the beach was hitting by driving rain and a fierce squall that blew through in a matter of minutes.
With little water left before an adjustment of buoys the 50X final got under way with Exe Jets hot off the start line into the wind and rain and failing visibility closely pursued by the remaining pack who was tussling for remaining podium places which went to Trademymotor and Westgate Buildings.
Just as quickly as the squall arrived it was gone leaving a calm and the return of sunshine and a beach empty of sheltering spectators returned for the last race of the weekend.
Bluesheets I had pole with Angry Hornet, Team Suffolk and Speedy Hire lined up alongside, at the off Bluesheets held their position and used it to force the fleet away from the first mark but the fleet pushed back and Angry Hornet were squeezed out forcing a red flag.
Bluesheets did not return for the restart and assistance was called for, it was clear watching from the shore that Craig Davis had either received a knock or had jarred his leg and was being checked out by the Paramedics. Craig returned to the beach accompanied by the Safety Team and received further attention, meanwhile the course was adjusted and the final race got under way without the current National Champions.
Team Suffolk took advantage, Speedy Hire and Angry Hornet fought their way all the way around the course with Who the Hell just missing out on a podium place.
With Suffolk and Exe jets tied on Round wins and overall points for the weekend it was down to heat wins and Rob Wickham and James Roberts lifted their second GP trophy of the season by the slender margin of just one heat.
Unfortunately for Craig his leg injury was more severe than was initially thought with a fracture and we wish him a swift recovery but it is unlikely he will be racing in either the remaining Zapcat or Formula Future championships this season and will be planning how to secure a third national title from remaining events and who to pilot Bluesheets I in his place.
Thanks again must go to the Vale of Glamorgan Council Events Team with their support of the Barry Island Grand Prix and to all the supporters, racers and photographers for their contribution and also to Courtenay for giving up her time.
Image courtesy: Gary Bray / UNiCOM