Powerboat P1’s Event and Racing Director, Andy Hindley, says that the changes to the series’ sporting and technical regulations for 2009 have been aimed at building on the success of a host of new rules introduced for the 2008 season that helped keep racing incredibly close, and fairly adjudicated.

The changes to the rules – which were ratified by the UIM in early November – include shorter races, a revised championship points-scoring system, a total ban on re-taking missed buoys and revised penalties for exceeding the 85mph speed limit in the SuperSport class.

“We’ve tweaked the rules for 2009, but we’ve avoided a re-invention,” he explains. “What we’ve done is move it forward slowly. If we hadn’t, either we’d alienate some teams, or rule them out of competing, or both. That’s no good for anyone. What we have done is to tighten up some areas without making any current boats illegal. We’ve also expanded in some areas where people couldn’t go before, again without upsetting anyone.”

Angelo Tedeschi, team boss and throttleman of the double SuperSport class-winning #44 Conam Yachts team, was one of a number of team bosses to voice his approval for the subtle changes to the rules for 2009. “Powerboat P1’s rules have steadily improved year by year since 2004, and now the rules don’t really need big changes because they’re pretty perfect,” he said.