SW1 Capital truck driver Grant Hills risked his own life to save the team’s prized powerboat during the early hours of Monday morning.

Couriering the hull back from San Benedetto del Tronto to the team’s boatyard base near Antwerp, the Team SW1 Capital truck caught fire, burning most of the truck’s contents, including all the fittings, mopeds, spare engine, props, life jackets and helmets.

Hills, who only last week had to make two return journeys from Liverpool to Barcelona, went way beyond the call of duty, courageously throwing himself into the flames without even a thought for his own personal safety to disconnect the boat from the trailer – a job that usually takes two men five-to-ten minutes – before jumping back into the burning lorry to salvage important documentation and move the fire hazard away from the powerboat.

Things couldn’t possibly have gone any worse this weekend for the British team who failed for the first time this season to register a podium finish but word of Hills heroics will sweep its way through the Powerboat P1 World Championship and undoubtedly be warmly felt by all.

Team Principal and pilot Dan Cramphorn called Hills a “truck legend,” adding that his sacrifice for the team proves the special bond between the Team SW1 Capital boys. He said:  “I don’t know anyone who would risk their own life in that situation. You don’t hear about how much work goes on behind the scenes but Grant is an absolute hero and he epitomises what Powerboat P1 and Team SW1 Capital is about.