The World’s largest Off Shore powerboat race series came to a spectacular end this Saturday 1st November as the Honda Formula 4-Stroke series held their annual Awards Dinner at the British Empire & Commonwealth Museum in Bristol.
The evening was hosted by television presenter Mike Brewer and F4SA Director Steve Curtis. With awards in five categories going to teams for their achievements throughout the season and the overall Championship awards going to first, second and third places, the evening was full of excitement and glamour as the winners took to the stage to collect their prizes.
Jason Yorke-Edgell, Managing Director of Ebel UK also joined the stage to present the Champions with their Automatic Chronograph watches from Ebel’s new 1911 Discovery collection and runners up with their watches from their elegant Brasilia & Classic collections.
In first place were Jak Cockman and Andy Phipps of drainstore.com 150hp. The team had started to secure the Championship way back in May and came out on top with four overall wins throughout the season.
“Both Jak and I are over the moon with this year’s result. All the hard work that we put in over the year has paid off. We would like to thank all our team and sponsors for the non-stop support they have put in. We have already started work on the boat for next year as well as planning for all the events. We will be back next year, much bigger and better than ever before - to defend our title”, said Andy, Navigator of drainstore.com.
Also in first place Gavin Parsonage & Nathan Libby of Negotiator 225hp who are no stranger to the award. The team won the Championship in 2007 and retained the title with a six point lead this year.
“It was a big achievement to win for the second year running. The racing was harder this year due to the changes in format and the fact that a lot of the other boats are getting faster. We had a great night and have enjoyed being part of the Honda series again this year”, said Gavin Parsonage, driver of Negotiator.
In second places were Martin Campbell and Dave Williams in Team Williams 150hp and Rupert and Sophie Pugh in Heights of Abraham 225hp. Third places went to Jerry Mc Arthur, Colin Wooton and Johnny Twelvetrees in Salcombe Racing 150hp and Scott Williams and Ken Williams in Team Williams 225hp.
The series launched their 2009 race calendar at the event which will be sold to raise money for Helen & Douglas House a registered charity providing respite and end of life care for children and young adults with life shortening conditions. Over £1200 was raised on the night at the prize draw. Honda had kindly donated two tickets to the British Superbikes event at Brands Hatch next April and Kate Day from the charity was there to receive the donation and also to present the prize to winner Nick Clemson of Claygate 150hp.
Honda have been the title sponsor of the powerboat series since it began in 1999 and now, with the series celebrating its 10th birthday next year and also its 100th race day the 2009 season is expected to be the biggest yet.
Geoff Matthews, General Manager, Honda Power Equipment (UK) said, “I can remember our very first race back in 1999 with just five 130hp boats.
It seems like just yesterday. Little did we know then that we were starting something which would grow into the largest one make Powerboat series in the world! I wonder what Mr. Honda would about think it all.
I would like to add my thanks to everyone who has been involved in the series and especially the team at Formula 4-Stroke who have worked with us from the start and also Steve Curtis who has worked so very hard to make our series a success with his knowledge of racing and technical guidance.
But most importantly it is without a doubt that we owe the biggest thank you to you, our competitors, without them, there would be no racing, no series and no fun! They have all individually worked so very hard to give us all the entertainment that Honda Formula 4-Stroke prides itself on.”
This concludes the 2008 season, but the organisers at the Formula 4-Stroke Association will be announcing the 2009 race calendar this winter.