powerboat racing torquay 2023

Racing – Charge, Victor, Charge!

All the action, thrills & spills of the   2023 cowes–torquay–cowes powerboat race..

The annual powerboat event at Cowes once again hit the water over the August Bank Holiday weekend with some 35 boats taking to the water. Amid glorious sunshine, one half of the fleet assembled had their bows firmly aimed in the direction of Torquay, Devon, ready for their marathon 211-mile race west, while the remainder were lining up their horses for a race to Poole 15 minutes behind them. As you can imagine, the frantic pre-race muster points out in the blue waters of the Solent were quite a sight to behold.  

After a short but frustrating delay due to flotsam having to be cleared from the start chute, the boats got underway, thundering down past the Royal Yacht Squadron upon the cannon firing to announce the start of the race. The earlier weather briefing, which had raised expectations of light to moderate winds and settled seas, promised a fast and relatively comfortable ride. Nevertheless, reality hit when an unexpected easterly set in, causing a nasty wind-against-tide chop that quickly set about hammering the hulls of the mixed marathon fleet as they streamed out into open water for the first time. The conditions even reduced the formidable 120mph, 1400hp Outerlimits race boat Silverline, crewed by Drew Langdon and Miles Jennings, to a 67.72mph saunter!  

Langdon and Jennings later described this year’s race as ‘a race of tactics, coupled to unusually testing seas that made the business of balancing the boat a testing affair’. Langdon added: ‘The course proved a lot harder than in previous years. For example, when we broke the Cowes–Torquay–Cowes record in 2021, averaging 94mph and completing the course in just 2 hours, 21 minutes and 5 seconds, the going was in our favour. This year’s race was far more complex, though, as it involved having to adjust our fuel payload fore and aft in order to keep the boat level and performing at its optimum speed in the head-throwing seas. Normally, the forward tank would be used first for increased bow lift, but this just wasn’t an option in the confused seas we were having to negotiate this year.’

2nd place CTC TEAM 25 © Graham Stevens

Regardless of her trials, Silverline roared home to victory in 3 hours 7 minutes, taking the Beaverbrook Trophy for the fourth time in a row in what’s regarded as the world’s most famous marathon powerboat race.

In second place, Team 25 Dragon, with Rob Lockyer and Scott Younger at the controls, romped home unhindered. Then following them came the iconic race boat Dry Martini, with its team comprising Nigel Hopcroft, Mike Bontoft and Michael Peet. New team owner/driver Nigel Hopcroft took up the challenge after many years successfully racing motor cars. ‘Whenever I’ve had the opportunity to do so, I’ve really enjoyed offshore racing,’ Hopcroft told PBR. ‘I did a short run of it back in the 1980s, and though most of my time has been spent on the track, I confess that I’m delighted to be back out on the water competing again.’

3rd place CTC Dry Martini © Tim Tapping

Dry Martini’s throttleman, Mike Bontoft, added: ‘It’s great to be racing with Nigel. With Michael in the frame too, the three of us make a strong team. But I confess, it’s been quite a busy year for me, not only looking after Dry Martini, but also rebuilding the engines for our fellow challenger, Uno Embassy, crewed by my friends Phil Morris and Gordon McGrath.’  

Uno Embassy, one of the most famous and historic boats in the fleet, finished in fourth place, Bontoff and the Uno Embassy team’s hard work having evidently paid off as she ran without a hitch in the demanding conditions to clear the line a mere length or so behind her old rival, Dry Martini.  

Bad fortune can strike anyone at any time in the world of offshore racing, and the Italian team, Tommy One, whom many had tipped to win this year’s historic race, sadly broke down and had to limp back to Southampton for repairs. But with 2000hp on her tail and at over 6.5 tonnes in weight, she’s quite a beast, and when not dogged by an unfortunate mechanical issue, this boat is known for delivering one of the most level and consistent rides of all the race craft on the circuit.  

Retired BLASTOFF © Graham Stevens

In Class 3, the smaller boats, which raced to Poole and back, likewise had a battle on their hands. Isle of Wight islanders Colin Gibson and Richard Jackson in Top Banana, much to the delight of their local supporters, came storming home in first place, having averaged a very respectable 56.91mph. Taking second position were Andy Foster and Charles Morris in their own Renegade 2. Then, in a fine display of vintage flare, who should come rumbling over the line but Hugo Peel, Adrian de Ferranti and Richard Jessel aboard their classic powerboat Thunderstreak. And what a sight to see she was too, playing her valuable part among this diverse and historic display of high-octane craft.  

The organising team, headed by Martin and Laura Levi, worked tirelessly to ensure the event ran smoothly. Martin Raby served as OOD, overseeing the event, with Dale Williams supporting him as safety officer, who in turn was ably assisted by Orry Crews. Race control was run by Shirley Nelthorpe, a position held last year by Sarah Donohue, who this year moved into the role of media and communication officer. The all-important job of scrutineering was headed up by former racer and 4-litre champion Geoff Purves.

4th place CTC UNOEMBASSY

Like many motor sport events, Cowes–Torquay–Cowes relies on its volunteers, people who are passionate about the sport. They number about 150 folk in all and include many former racers and their families. But it’s primarily the job of the event directors to ensure nothing’s left to chance when it comes to the matter of safety. This means organising rescue divers and other trained personnel out on the water, ready to extract casualties from their canopies in the event of an accident. In fact, medics aboard a small fleet of marshalling boats are scattered all the way down the course, ready to render aid if so required.  

At the conclusion of this year’s event, headline sponsor Richard Carr, himself a former championship racer, stated: ‘I have competed in this classic race many times over the years, but Cowes remains one of my very favourite race venues in all the world. It possesses such a special history, and I think I can speak on behalf of everyone when I say how much we all appreciate the warm welcome afforded us by the island’s people. They make it a pleasure being here. From the standpoint of my company, Fortitudo, we count it an absolute honour to be involved – to give this great event the sponsorship support it so richly deserves.’

For further information visit www.cowestorquaycowes.co.uk .

Lambs to the slaughter.

Following a full restoration in 2021 of the historic Cougar-built racing catamaran Unipart Lambs, its owner Robin Ward, along with throttleman Jeff Hall and navigator Rose Lores, thrilled fans of the boat by entering two key races in the offshore race calendar.

In the 60th-anniversary Cowes–Torquay–Cowes (CTC) race, the boat finished sixth overall and was the fastest boat outside of Class 1 to complete the course. Later in the year, Unipart Lambs performed brilliantly again in the Round the Island (Isle of Wight) race, finishing fourth overall.

Having proved the boat in the 2021 CTC race, the Unipart Lambs team decided to enter the Cowes-Poole-Cowes race this year with sights set on the top step of the podium. But sadly, things really did not go well. Navigator Rose Lores takes up the story:

‘Race day dawned mild and dry, but with a slight wind and a fair chop out in the open waters of the Solent. After the mandatory weather briefing and final preparations, we left Cowes Yacht Haven to wait in the muster area for the start boat. After a short delay involving the clearing of some flotsam by the safety marshals, we were on the move behind the start boat, and then, upon the Green Flag being raised, we forged ahead to the very front of the pack. The boat was absolutely singing, but even so, the going was proving hard for everyone that morning.  

‘Suddenly, just as we were getting into our stride and daring to feel confident, we tore to a stop within a few boat lengths, decelerating dramatically amid an absolute tsunami of water that enveloped the vessel’s entire cockpit canopy. Without a moment’s hesitation, Jeff, our throttleman, instinctively pulled back the throttles, thereby sparing us from further disaster as seawater rushed in with tremendous force through a gaping hole in the tunnel-constructed section of the boat’s hull. The water pressure was striking a bulkhead at the transom, whereupon it was being forced upwards to blow out of the top deck and over our heads. The deluge seemed to go on forever and continued until we had finally lost all forward momentum. Robin, Unipart Lambs’ driver and owner, immediately leapt out of his seat to see what had happened, only to be confronted by the awful sight of the boat’s broken deck and his precious engine bays filling with water. All hands were scrambled to rescue the stowed tools while I raised Race Control to alert them to our plight. To their credit, the latter had two safety boats standing by within minutes. Having grabbed essentials only, we stood on the front portion of the deck watching the rear end of the vessel slowly sink lower and lower into the water. It was clear we had no option but to “abandon ship”.  

Unipart Lambs sadly sinking in the background whilst Robin Ward & Jeff Hall are safely onboard the rescue craft.

‘Amid the heaving seas, by the time we’d clambered over the high guard rail and onto the safety vessel, an entire fleet of safety boats had surrounded us, the Cowes RNLI Lifeboat among them! While glad to be safe, we watched in dismay as our beloved Unipart Lambs slowly sank deeper and deeper, until only the very tips of her catamaran prow were visible above the waterline. Robin’s great concern was to somehow achieve a recovery that would allow a saving of not only the boat itself but also its engines, whereupon the latter could be flushed through and filled with oil to save them.

‘The weight of the boat plus all the water she had taken on meant that none of the boats that had so nobly rushed to assist were powerful enough to either right her or even tow her to harbour. In fact, we had to wait some time before a suitable boat arrived, whereupon she could be towed back to Southampton to be craned out and set on her trailer. A very sad and frustrating day indeed. After two hours of being submerged, all the electrical equipment and wiring were ruined, but with rapid action the engines were miraculously saved and are now, at the time of writing, stripped down and cleaned ready for rebuilding.

‘In addition to the flotsam that delayed the race start, we later learned that a second piece of timber had been spotted in the water, which we think may have been the offending article responsible for running Unipart Lambs through.  

‘As you can imagine, in addition to the engine rebuilds, the hull is in need of considerable repair, and, of course, all the electrics will require fully replacing too.

We fully intend to restore this wonderful boat and have her back racing again for the 2023 season. It will take a lot of time and private money, but any help via sponsorship, etc. would be truly appreciated – especially in terms of replacement electronics.

‘We will be documenting the restoration of our beloved Unipart Lambs and publishing the results right here in Powerboat & RIB magazine, likely this spring. So watch this space and wish us well.’  

Get involved

If you would like to get involved in this world-famous event in 2023, please contact [email protected] at the British Powerboat Racing Club communications department for further details. She and the team would be delighted to hear from you.  

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Torquay Roadworks - Diversion Route & Details

Works to begin on Monday 5 February 2024. Torbay Council expect this phase of the project to take 18-weeks. 

Please note these works are not being carried out by Tor Bay Harbour Authority.

For any enquiries please contact Montel Group [email protected] or Highways highways@​torbay.gov.uk

Please follow this link Harbour Public Realm project to learn more about the works and diversions in place.

Tor Bay Harbour

Cowes-Torquay International Powerboat Race

World famous endurance powerboat race with competitors racing between Cowes and Torquay and back to Cowes. The race was first started in 1961 and 2023 will be the 62nd enactment.

Torquay will be the turning point for the boats. 

Event contact

BPRC Event Management Ltd

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://cowestorquaycowes.co.uk

Dates and times

Sunday 27 August 2023

Haldon Pier, Torquay Harbour, Beacon Quay, Torquay, TQ1 2BG

Torquay Harbour Office

Brixham harbour office, paignton harbour office, beaches office.

Delivering Harbour, Beach and Marine Services for Torbay Council.

Cowes - Torquay - Cowes Powerboat Race

Saturday 26 august - sunday 27 august 2023.

The Cowes - Torquay launched offshore powerboat racing as a sport in Britain in 1961 and is one of the most spectacular powerboat events in the British sporting calendar.

The Cowes - Torquay - Cowes race covers a distance of 182 nautical miles. The record of two hours, eighteen minutes and five seconds was set in 2008 by Fabio Buzzi, Simon Powell and Rafael Del Pino from Italy in the boat ‘Red FPT’ at an average speed of 91.1 mph.

Visit the event website for further details.

Royal Yacht Squadron

The Castle, Cowes, Isle of Wight, P031 7QT

Tel: +44 (0) 1983 292 191

Photography

P1 Offshore;

Powerboat P1 is the fastest growing marine motorsport series in the world and has a long term commitment to growing and developing the sport of power boating at all levels. The Powerboat P1 team works closely with the sport’s governing bodies, the UIM, APBA and the IJSBA. P1 has delivered more than 85 world championship events in over twelve different countries for more than a decade.

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Contact info.

• Address: 2320 Clark Street, Suite A1 Apopka, FL 32703 United States
• Phone: +1 407 985 1938
• Email: [email protected]

Cocoa Beach

Fri 17 - Sun 19, May

Lake of the Ozarks

Thu 30, May - 01, Jun

Fri 09 - Sun 11, Aug

Fri 23 - Sun 25, Aug

Fri 13 - Sun 15, Sep

St. Petersburg

Fri 18 - Sun 20, Oct

Reigning Champions Silverline, crewed by Drew Langdon and Miles Jennings

Race fleet leaving Cowes

Drew Langdon (l) and Miles Jenning (r) of Silverline after win in 2023

Thu jun 27 2024, cowes torquay cowes race takes on a new look.

• Newly-named Cowes Powerboat Festival to feature three races over August Bank Holiday weekend
• British Powerboat Racing Club in new partnership with Powerboat P1 to grow the event
• World-famous tourism destination Experience Kissimmee becomes presenting sponsor

We are delighted to be working with Powerboat P1 and Experience Kissimmee this year for the running of the longest, toughest and most famous offshore powerboat race in the world. The team at P1 brings a wealth of top-level racing experience. Following tradition, the newly-named Cowes Powerboat Festival will be held over the Bank Holiday weekend in late August and this year will see three races staged over two days. The BPRC, Powerboat P1 and Experience Kissimmee very much look forward to welcoming all competitors and spectators to the ultimate in powerboating activity. Christian Toll British Powerboat Racing Club, Vice Chairman

It’s always been a big part of my life and my father won the race in 1969. To have the race back under the Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM) banner and partnering with P1 is a great move and exciting for powerboat racing in the UK. Remember that this is the most famous marathon race in the world – it’s been running every year since 1961. Racing fans can now follow it on social media from anywhere in the world and we are planning on building the event into a true spectacle over the next few years. The hard work has already started. Steve Curtis MBE British Powerboat Racing Club, President

Powerboat P1 promotes the UIM Class 1 World Championship and one of Steve’s Class 1 racing colleagues in the United States is 29-year-old Alex Pratt from Florida. Alex travelled to England last year to compete in the Cowes Torquay Cowes race with his English friend Rob Lockyer and he will return in August. “I’m very happy to see P1 partnering with the BPRC, said Alex. “They do an outstanding job and we as racers truly appreciate their role in the sport. I will be back on the island to compete in the Good Boy Vodka boat and I’m hugely optimistic about our chances!”

BritishPowerboatRacingClub.co.uk CowesTorquayCowes.co.uk CowesTorquayCowes.co.uk

Photo Credit

Marine News

Cowes torquay cowes classic offshore powerboat race.

The Cowes - Torquay launched offshore powerboat racing as a sport in Britain in 1961 and is one of the most spectacular powerboat events in the British sporting calendar.

The Cowes - Torquay - Cowes race covers a distance of 182 nautical miles. The record of two hours, eighteen minutes and five seconds was set in 2008 by Fabio Buzzi, Simon Powell and Rafael Del Pino from Italy in the boat ‘Red FPT’ at an average speed of 91.1 mph.

11 Class 1 boats set for Cowes Torquay Cowes - Timetable and Viewing

Event Timetable            

Saturday 26th August             09:00-17:00    Race administration    Cowes Yacht Haven, Events Centre    Competitors & officials only 09:30-17:00    Scrutineering    Cowes Yacht Haven                            Viewing North Basin Wall 14:00    Sign-in deadline    Cowes Yacht Haven     16:00-17:00    Safety Briefing    Cowes Yacht Haven, Events Centre            Safety Boat crews only 17:00-17:45    Drivers’ briefing CTC    Cowes Yacht Haven, Events Centre    Competitors & officials only 18:00-18:30    Drivers’ briefing CPC    Cowes Yacht Haven, Events Centre    Competitors & officials only 18:45    Welcome Reception    Commodores House                            Entry by wristband 21:00-23:00    Live band - SAS    Cowes Yacht Haven, Pontoon View Bar            Open to the general public

Sunday 27th August             08:00-08:15    Weather Briefing    Cowes Yacht Haven    Competitors & officials only 10:00    Race Start CTC    Royal Yacht Squadron line     10:15    Race Start CPC    Royal Yacht Squadron line     16:00    Podium    Cowes Yacht Haven, Events Centre Balcony    Open to general public 18:45-20:30    Prize Giving    Cowes Yacht Haven, Events Centre    Entry by wristband 20:30-22:30    Live band - Spotlight Party Plus    Cowes Yacht Haven, Events Centre    Entry by wristband

Suggested viewing and estimated timings  

09:30 +    Parade of Boats    Cowes Seafront 10:15    CTC Start    Cowes Seafront 10:30    CPC Start    Cowes Seafront 10:25 (from)    CTC & CPC    Fort Victoria / Hurst Castle 10:30 (from)    CTC & CPC    Bournemouth Pier 10:40 (from)    CTC    Portland Bill 10:55 (from)    CTC    Brixham / Torquay 10:55 (from)    CPC Finish    Cowes Seafront 12:15 (from)    CTC Finish    Cowes Seafront Cowes Torquay Cowes Course – 179.8 nm

Click here for more info and images on the event website

Cowes-Torquay-Cowes and Cowes-Poole-Cowes powerboat races 2023

Join us for a great days photography on the Solent amongst the action as we capture record chasing speed trials involving various boats as they are put through their paces out on the water. �149.00

Book your place

About this event.

Main image by Alan Platt & Andrew Shapland for illustrative purposes

Event requirements

• Spare batteries
• Lense cloths
• Camera protection - rain covers etc

Other things you should bring

• Bottled water
• All levels welcome

Other essentials

• Sturdy outdoor shoes
• Warm clothing
• Wet weather gear

Event location

​ Y​acht Charter

The salamander sailing adventure, cowes torquay cowes offshore powerboat race spectator boat, 25th august 2024.

for on the water spectating

FEATURING INTERNATIONAL POWERBOAT TEAMS REACHING SPEEDS IN EXCESS OF 125MPH

Get in Touch 2 Get on Board

SALAMANDER OF LYMI NGTON

with The Salamander Sailing Adventure

THE SALAMANDER LUXURY SPECTATOR BOAT on the water spectating with close-up viewing of COWES TORQUAY COWES OFFSHORE POWERBOAT RACE WITH WORLD CLASS OFFSHORE POWERBOATS COMPETING OVER A 200 MILE COURSE PASSING THE MOST SPECTACULAR SCENERY ON THE SOUTH COAST

When is the cowes torquay cowes offshore powerboat race.

FRIDAY – AUGUST 23rd

Cowes Pit walk-about and practice / warm up

SATURDAY – AUGUST 24th

SUNDAY – AUGUST 25th

Race Start Times:-

10.00 am Start Cowes - Torquay - Cowes

Some time in the afternoon powerboats will return to Cowes and it should be possible to view their return subject to weather and sea conditions, and their general progress.

Race organisers and programme 

https://cowestorquaycowes.co.uk

All timings and events subject to change.

Salamander your #SpectatorBoat with great decks for viewing the Cowes Torquay Cowes Classic Offshore Powerboat Race

Salamander your #SpectatorBoat finding the best location for spectating the Cowes Torquay Cowes Classic Offshore Powerboat Race

Salamander is heated and perfectly suited for year round use, both sailing and cruising under motor. Feel free to wander around the extensive teak decks with their protective teak handrail as we look for the best location for you to see the event.

Salamander your #SpectatorBoat also has a warm saloon for great all weather spectating.

Where is the best place to see the Cowes Torquay Cowes Offshore Powerboat Race and where to find the Cowes Torquay Cowes Offshore Powerboat Race Spectator Boat?

The Salamander Spectator Boat is normally found in Berthon Lymington Marina, in the Georgian town of Lymington.

Our experience confirms that the normally sheltered waters by Hurst Castle and Hurst Lighthouse is the best place to see the Cowes Torquay Cowes Offshore Powerboat Race from onboard the Salamander Spectator Boat.

Lymington is therefore the preferred departure point. 

Bespoke arrangements might be possible to meet guests in Lymington, Buckler's Hard on the Beaulieu River, Southampton, the Hamble, Portsmouth and Gosport in Hampshire, Cowes and Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight. 

Lymington, Yarmouth, Cowes, Hamble, Southampton and Portsmouth are well served by trains and ferries making overland connections for boarding and disembarking Salamander very easy.

Lymington, The New Forest and the Isle of Wight are unique destination venues for some amazing scenery, with luxurious boutique hotels and excellent fine dining providing the perfect backdrop to combine with some wonderful sailing on board Salamander, a traditional yacht with a classically designed teak interior .  

Transfers from hotels can be arranged.

#SpectatorBoat

What's included in the price for the Cowes Torquay Cowes Offshore Powerboat Race Salamander Spectator Boat?

Full-day on the water spectating on board Salamander for up to 12 guests.

A professional crew of 3, probably the highest crew to guest ratio on the south coast, usually including the round the world owner skipper with tales to tell, so you may relax or take part ... it's up to you.

Full dedicated steward service on board serving a champagne breakfast to include a glass of bucks fizz, a bacon roll, Danish bites and tea or coffee.

Daytime harbour drop off fees as necessary.

Lunch on board Salamander.

Afternoon tea including a selection of scones and cakes on board Salamander of Lymington

Soft drinks, tea and coffee are available throughout the day on board Salamander of Lymington

Parking, if departing from Lymington, adjacent to Salamander in Berthon Lymington Marina, Bath Road, Lymington, SO41 3YL

*Based upon a minimum of 4 guests

#GetInTouch2GetOnBoard

Let us check availability

TESTIMONIAL - WHAT DO THE SALAMANDER SAILING ADVENTURE GUESTS SAY ?

"Cowes Torquay Powerboat"

A fantastic day. It felt like a one day holiday.

A big thank you to the crew for a wonderful day out.

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27 Aug 2024

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Legendary powerboat race docking in Torbay tomorrow

Cowes-Torquay-Cowes - KAM III - racing in the 70's - Photo credit - Christian Toll

23 Aug 2024 1:07 PM

Bank Holiday action on the water

The 63rd running of the Cowes-Torquay-Cowes powerboat race takes place on Saturday, August 24 and for the first time since 2017, the boats are scheduled to re-fuel in Torquay.

The fleet will leave the start line in the Solent at 9.30am for the 100-mile race to Torbay. The teams will moor up alongside Haldon Pier, Torquay for approximately 90 minutes before racing back to Cowes.

The race is the highlight of the Cowes Powerboat Festival organised by the newly formed partnership between the British Powerboat Racing Club and Powerboat P1 with support from their new sponsor, Experience Kissimmee, the world-famous tourism destination in Central Florida.

Spectators will be able to watch the action unfold from Haldon Pier and view the boats moored up in the wet pits.

The CTC is the world’s most famous powerboat race and attracts an international entry. The top boats will reach speeds in excess of 100mph as they race across Lyme Bay. Depending on conditions, the lead boats should arrive in Torbay from 10.30am.

Starting as favourites for the win are Exeter based businessmen, Drew Langdon and Miles Jennings. They have won the Cowes-Torquay-Cowes race for the last five years in their boat, “Silverline” - an American produced Outerlimits hull powered by two Mercury engines developing 1,800hp.

Both men have been racing powerboats all over the world for many years with considerable success.

Chasing them for the win will be the Anglo-American crew in “Good Boy Vodka” – British racers Robert Lockyer and Scott Younger with American Alex Pratt. The two boats had a close battle during the race to Torquay last year, however, GBV – another Outerlimits hull - was forced into retirement - they will be looking for revenge this year.

And amongst the fleet, as well as the latest race boat designs, there will be some classic boats too. One of those is Kiekhaefer Aeromarine III known as KAM III - a 36-foot Cigarette wide body hull, designed by Harry Schoell for Don Aronow at Cigarette Racing Team in 1971.

The hull design won multiple World Championships and with the Aeromarine engine package, dominated the sport in the 70s.

KAM III was raced by Miami based eye surgeon, Dr Robert Magoon and Fire Chief, Gene Lanham. This formidable crew and boat combination won a total of five United States Championships. In 1974 they also set a UIM world speed record of 83mph. The boat was then sold to British racer Charles Gill who competed in the 1975 and 1976 seasons.

In the 1976 CTC, Charles caused quite an upset by beating the latest creation from the Cigarette factory. The boat raced on during the late 70s with new owners Brian and Mike Bontoft, and they then chartered it to Frank Wyatt.

After all its success, by the early 80s the Bontoft’s had sold the boat and it was languishing in Norway with little prospect of it returning to racing - the hull and the engines had become separated.

However, finally, after many years, a Norwegian, Joern Amudsen, managed to re-unite both the hull and engines and he completed a full restoration. His target was to exceed 100mph in the boat. By 2015, he felt he could take the project no further.

The boat was then purchased by Christian Toll, a lifelong powerboat enthusiast, who undertook a full restoration with the assistance of his highly skilled team. Everything was blasted and sanded off back to the original gelcoat, a new transom was fitted, new fuel tanks were made and fitted and the engines were sent to America for a complete rebuild. With incredible attention to detail, even the graphics on the hull were hand painted as they would have been originally in the early 70s.

It will be wonderful to see this iconic powerboat racing again in this year’s CTC with Christian Toll, James Shepard and James McVrae at the controls. The project is being followed with much interest from America by Gene Lanham, now 93, who was on the throttles during its 70s Championship run, and Fred Kiekhaefer, the son of Carl, founder of Mercury Marine and Kiekhaefer Aeromarine engines.

Haldon Pier, Torquay is the place to be for some glamorous and high-speed action!

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These Devon businesses claim to have the best burger - why not try for yourself?

Symptoms can all affect our daily lives, but treatment is available!

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Torquay United Directors Box. Pic from PPAUK

Sale agreement reached for Torquay United

Shamilla with her sons Zakir and Zain

Know the signs and symptoms and catch cancer early

Make a difference to lives with a career in adult social care.

Stormy seas off the former living coasts. Picture credit: Stephen Coombes

Stephen Coombes Picture Extravaganza

Skies full of colour

Winter sun in Torbay

Pink Sunset

Stephen turning a Christmas shade of pink

View from Broadsands

Houses on the hill

Amazing sunset

Stephen has seen the light

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August 27, 2024

Posts published in “News”

The offshore races from Cowes since 1961 have been captured by some of the best photographers. We asked Chris Davies who has shot the event…

Five teams from the Isle of Wight to compete at Cowes

Offshore powerboat racing started in Europe back in 1961 when Sir Max Aitken, a former Battle of Britain pilot and the owner of the Daily…

11 Class 1 boats set for Cowes Torquay Cowes

• APBA Offshore Championship
• Asia Powerboat Championship
• Australian Offshore
• Bermuda Offshore
• British Offshore Racing
• P1 Offshore
• P1 Superstock
• P1 Superstock US
• Race World Offshore
• Raid Pavia Venezia
• Super Boat International
• UIM Awards Giving Gala
• UIM Class 1
• UIM Marathon
• UIM Pleasure Navigation
• UIM V2 World Powerboat Championship
• UIM XCAT Racing
• UK ThunderCat Racing

• Australian V8 Superboat Championships
• Circuit Powerboat Association
• E1 World Electric Powerboat Series
• F1 Powerboat Championship Series.
• Powerboat GP
• UAE F4 Championship
• UIM OSY400 European Championship
• UIM World Circuit Endurance
• Unlimited Hydroplane Racing
• F1H2O Nations Cup

• P1 AquaX Bahamas World Championship
• UAE Aquabike Championship
• UIM-ABP Aquabike World Championship

Powerboat Racing World

Frode Sundsdal

What is prw.

It’s a powerboat racing website that has covered circuit racing, offshore racing and PWC since 2016. Maintained by The Race Factory based in Norway who have specialists in event planning and promotion, social media, graphic design, and photography. We are currently working on our vision and believe that we can and will make a different in powerboating. We will dedicate our time to produce accurate factual stories and to promote the sport to a wider global audience.

The 2022 Cowes Torquay Cowes race this Sunday will be available to view via TackTracker Player.

You can download for PC or Mac here .

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