Rounds 11 & 12 of the Zapcat National Championship saw 20 of the 2009 Zapcat teams head to Leith Docks in Edinburgh over the weekend.
Crowds lined the Ocean Terminal Shopping centre to watch the racing as all the action unfolded over the course of the two days.
Having made the long journey from the south coast current championship leaders Bluesheets Racing 1, Zapcat 03 Craig Davis and Rob Martin were determined to make an impact north of the border to take them one step closer to the 2009 title.
Also coming out fighting were Marin Subsea/ Delta Jets Zapcat 09 Ashley Chappell and Chris Rex who going into the event were sitting 5th in the championship but with their sights set firmly on a top 3 position before the season ends, and topping the team championship campaign they were set on keeping that title away from the Bluesheets Racing team.
Their Lost Buoys team mates Randall and Payne, Zapcat 49 were plagued by engine problems on both days and forced to retire from the event. Meaning Marin Subsea/ Delta Jets had all the work to do to maintain the team championship lead.
Meanwhile in Division 2 Rookie Leaders Certain Death, Zapcat 21, Luke Wills and Kevin Lott had a phenomenal day in Saturdays racing clinching their first ever gold medal now really getting to grips with their racing and team work, certainly a boat to watch in the future.
Go Commando, Zapcat 42, Pilot Andrew ‘H’ Harriman enlisted another Co-pilot for the Edinburgh Grand Prix in a season plagued by injuries in the team, Paul Moxom stood up to the challenge, after spending Saturday testing and getting used to each other in the boat come Sunday morning the partnership were set to take no hostages. Racing tactically to ensure they took their pit lap at precisely the right time to take them into a strong place in the final.
They took the quickest start in the final and took an early pit lap to keep the clean water and maintain their lead which they held to the chequered flag. With Nine Lives, Zapcat 35 driven by Neil Bainbridge and Pat Moger securing silver and Westgate, Zapcat 28 Charles Morris and Jacqui Wood taking the Bronze.
Sundays Division 1 final was won by Bluesheets Racing 1, Zapcat 03, Craig Davis and Rob Martin. With Marin Subsea/Delta Jets, Zapcat 09 Ashley Chappell and Chris Rex taking the Silver and Speedy Hire, Zapcat 38 Daren Ford and Sam Hunka completing the line up in Bronze.
Bluesheets Racing 1 Secured the Edinburgh Zapcat Grand Prix title and with team mates Bluesheets Racing 2, Zapcat 11 Dan Smith and Nathan Parker managed to steal the Team Championship title back from Team Lost Buoys.
The Championship now heads to the Finals in Watergate Bay, Newquay on the 25th & 26th of September where all the titles can still be won or lost.
ZCR Ltd would like to offer special thanks to Ocean Terminal Shopping Centre, Forth Ports Plc, GMFCo, Leith Harbour Master, Edinburgh City Council and Councillor Cardownie – Chair of Festival and Events for making the event happen and to all the racers and supporters for attending.