Raceboat international issue #18 by Raceboat International

raceboat Issue 18 - MARCH/APRIL 2016

international.com

MARIT STROMOY FIRST LADY TO WIN F1 GRAND PRIX

PHILIPPE CHIAPPE

UIM AQUABIKE

VICTORY IN SHARJAH FOR JENNIFER MENARD

2015 FORMULA 1 WORLD CHAMPION

YESTERYEAR

1967 CORNISH 100 1955 RECORD BREAKER POWERBOAT RACING WORLDWIDE - 2016 PREVIEW

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the World’s ONLY international publication dedicated to powerboat racing, providing coverage and results of the major meetings around the world. Available by subscription, or it can be downloaded from raceboatinternational.com EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES PO Box No. 4871 Poole, Dorset BH15 1HX Tel: +44 (0) 1202 625048 Mobile: +44 (0) 7946 230630 Email: david@raceboatinternational.com EDITOR David Sewell WEBSITE/NEWS John Moore www.raceboatinternational.com GRAPHIC DESIGN Carolynne Sewell CONTRIBUTORS John Moore Steve Micheal Roy Mantle Karien Jonckheere Nigel Quilter PHOTOGRAPHY Tim Tapping Simon Palfrader Raffaello Bastiani Vittorio Obertone Chris Davies Arek Rejs Graham Stevens Bryan Scott SUBSCRIPTIONS (4 issues) £30 per annum (U.K.) £35 per annum (Europe) £40 per annum (ROW) Post cheque made payable to: Raceboat International or pay by Paypal on-line www.raceboatinternational.com FRONT COVER PHOTO BY F1’s Marit Stromoy PRINTED BY - Headley Brothers While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy in the compilation of this publication, the Publishers cannot be held liable for errors and omissions. c Copyright - David Sewell All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior consent in writing to the publisher.

NOTE from the

Editor This issue straddles last year’s final races of the 2015 season and the beginning of 2016, then right back to 1955 when Donald Campbell set a new world water speed record and broke the 200mph barrier on water. A lot has changed in powerboat racing in the last 60 years - some good, some not so good, and last year certainly had its ups and downs. The final two events of the F1 World Championship brought joy for the CITC China team when Philippe Chiappe won his second world F1 crown; and acclaim to Marit Stromoy who has made history by becoming the first woman to win a formula 1 race in its 32 year history. However, in the ‘heavyweight’ division of offshore which has been struggling for the last three years, even the promotional skills of H2o could not rejuvinate the ailing Class 1. New venues were rare and the championship whittled down to just 2 grand prix events, one being tagged onto the Venice-Monte Carlo Endurance race as a support act. There was one good thing to come out of the last Class 1 World Championship though - Jon Tomlinson and Gary Ballough became the new World Champions in ‘Abu Dhabi 6’. Looking forward to a bright new season, it’s great to see Europe back on the F1 map last year two of the best meetings of the season were held in Evian, France and Porto, Portugal, and 2016 sees Dubai joining the tour. The F2 championship looks equally appealing with Scandinavia featuring high on the list of host venues, although Sweden appears to be off the calendar this term. XCat is looking good for 2016, although we are not very clear about how they are going to manage the change from 2 stroke engines to the new Mercury 4 strokes. I have heard that because of the extra weight of the new powerplants all XCats will have to be longer. Hopefully, the existing teams will have the option to stay with their 2 strokes. Looking at the British RYA powerboat racing calendar, it doesn’t take a genius to see who is the most organised. The circuit teams taking part in the National single seater series have a full programme of eight meetings while offshore have four, while OCRDA have three meetings in the West Country. Thankfully the one-class series Powerboat P1 and ThunderCats have their own championships, and full calendars. Formula One action kicks off in March at a new location in Dubai. The Emirates has long been associated with offshore racing, and last year they launched their own F1 team headed by American Shaun Torrente and ‘Mr Action Man’ Nadir Bin Hendi who has raced in Class 1, XCat and now F1.

Dave

David Sewell Editor

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contents www.raceboatinternational.com

NEWS BRIEFING Who’s WHO and what’s WHAT

F1H2O WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS Final rounds of the 2015 season in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah brings victory to Philippe Chiappe and a historical landmark when Marit Stromoy became the first lady to win a F1 Grand Prix

24 PHILIPPE CHIAPPE Formula 1 2015 World Champion takes centre stage

26 UIM CLASS 1 FINAL RACE A first win ever for Abu Dhabi 6, but could this be the end of Class 1? 34 ABP AQUABIKE 2015 An enthralling season ends in Sharjah in a dramatic fianale 40

XCAT RACING XDUBAI wrapped up the 2015 series in Abu Dhabi with the overall title for the fourth consecutive season

44 KEY WEST WORLDS The annual 3 day event for the Superboat International World Championships 46

2016 PREVIEW THE CALENDARS ARE OUT FOR THE NEW RACING SEASON IN OFFSHORE AND CIRCUIT

60 YESTERYEAR 1967 - Cornish 100 Offshore race 1955 - Donald Campbell - 60 years ago on Ullswater 66 TAKING THE PIC Pit Action Photos raceboatinternational 5

hat w s ’ t e wha d scen t n a a o b r whothe powe s ’ o n o Wh

ICONIC

PHANTOM REBORN Phantom, Ring and Marshan were the favoured boats of Class 3 and Skiracing in the 1980’s-90’s. Despite new designs, (particularly the Batboat) arriving on the scene over the past two decades, Jeremy Gibson proved the Phantom is still very competitive when he won the 2014 UK National Championship in ‘Y Knot’.

WHEN IS THE 400R BEING RACED IN EUROPE? At the 2015 Miami International Boat Show, Mercury Marine and Mercury Racing debuted 2,300 horsepower in the form of newmodel introductions. On the outboard side, Mercury Racing pulled the sheet off its new 400 hp supercharged six-cylinder motor, the 400R. The consumer version of the engine, the Verado 350, is a Mercury Marine offering. Both versions of the motor share features including a cool-air intake and electronic boost pressure control plus multiport fuel injection. Displacement for the outboards is 2.6 liters and recommended fuel is 91 octane. The 400R comes with an Offshore HD Sport Master gear case, and the engines feature Mercury’s Joystick Piloting. Each series of motors comes in a variety of colors. However, we have heard little of the ‘Mercury Monster’, the 400R in Europe. It would have made an ideal powerplant for XCats who have opted instead for the 4 stroke Mercury. 6 raceboatinternational

After buying the moulds and brand rights for Phantom Sports Boats two years ago, Plymouth-based Iain Johnson is now putting the finishing touches to his demonstrator boat and preparing to market his range internationally. The 16 and 18-foot speedboats are being built in Falmouth and Iain has been supported by Plymouth University’s Marine Innovation Centre (MARIC) to get his business off the ground. Iain said: “I have fond memories of watching Phantom boats from the beach at Salcombe in the late 80s. I am proud to be getting these iconic boats back on the water, with some changes to make them stronger and faster and more appealing to today’s boat market. Phantom Marine Boats will be a global business with about 75% of the boats being exported, but I am committed to handbuilding the boats locally, working with nearby suppliers where possible. There is such a strong skill set in the South West – it is a great place to start a marine business.” MARIC was set up with support from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) with the aim of making the South West’s marine and maritime businesses globally competitive. The organisation works with new and existing marine businesses, inventors and entrepreneurs, giving them access to expertise, facilities, networks and funding. Iain met the MARIC team just as he was starting the business. They supported him in securing ERDF funding through South West

Composites Gateway and also put him in touch with Falmouth Marine School, who he collaborated with on manufacturing and tooling and on building his first boat. The original Phantom Sports Boats were built from the 1960s until the 1990s, and were extensively used in Offshore Powerboat racing where they gained an enviable reputation for excellent handling even in the roughest of seas. Iain has had the boats extensively redesigned above the water line by an experienced boat designer, but has also borrowed heavily from the car industry. He said: “I researched lots of new boats being launched, and was not excited or inspired by what I saw. The marine market is very much one of evolution rather than revolution, and I wanted to create a boat that was revolutionary and that people would be excited to own.” Iain’s Phantom’s are built by resin infusion process, which is much quicker than more traditional methods, taking just a week instead of a month, and produces a much stronger boat. Each boat will be made to order, allowing customers to specify colour and design preference

NEW STEERING WHEELS FROM LOREDAN New 35 cm (13.8”) diameter steering wheel models have been introduced which all fit Ultraflex steering helms with or without tilt and paddle trim. Loredan is a new elegant steering wheel available either with a 316 stainless steel frame or aluminum frame, black or silver. It has an anatomic grip for a comfortable and safety drive. All the top of the range Ultraflex steering wheels are branded “Vero Volante Italiano”, to guarantee that all the models are designed, engineered and manufactured in Italy, by employing Italian components and technologies according to Ultraflex’ quality control system. All the Ultraflex steering wheels meet the EEC directive 94/25 requirements and they are CE marked in conformity with the EN 28848 – EN 29775 and ABYC P22 Loredan steering wheel safety standards. available with stainless Ultraflex Paddle Trim is a fingertip steel frame or alluminium, balance control to be installed on the black or silver helm or on the tilt mechanism and it can be used always keeping your hands on the steering wheel. It is a control similar to the one used for the automotive electronic shift on steering wheel. On board it is used to trim the outboards, or the sterndrives, surface drives, trim tabs, jack plates, or any other appliance avoiding to take your hands off the wheel. Paddle Trim is available in the single or dual version (two or four outputs). Ultraflex is a leading steering and control systems manufacturer for boats and it is consistently engaged to develop new safer and more advanced products with the Italian distinctive quality and design.

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RICHARD CARR SET TO RETURN TO POWERBOAT RACING ALONGSIDE STEVE CURTIS

Richard Carr

Steve Curtis

2016 will mark the return of one of Britain’s most respected an colourful powerboat racers, Richard Carr, whose sebatical away from the sport is nearing five years. Carr who has raced across the globe and owned a number of powerboat teams over the last 25 years, will return to the cockpit alongside friend and fellow racer, Steve Curtis, later this year. “My biggest enjoyment in life has always been offshore powerboat racing,” explained Richard. “One of my main complaints about the sport in the last five to ten years is that the days of proper offshore racing have gone. When I raced in America in 2011 we were racing up and down a beach in a 140mph boat on a very small circuit. That’s not how I remember proper offshore racing to be.” Unsurprisingly, Richard won’t be taking the easy route back into the sport. The Round Ireland offshore powerboat race is an eightday event taking place in mid-June, which will see Carr and Curtis crash through thousands of miles of Irish sea taking in many notable coastal landmarks such as the Giant’s Causeway, Fastnet Rock and Belfast’s Titantic Quarter - proper offshore racing. “Aiden Foley has been trying to put together a decent endurance race for a number of years, and it would appear that he has managed to secure funding for the Round Ireland powerboat race,” said

Former British offshore powerboat champion Richard Carr will make his return to his beloved sport alongside an old mate and one of powerboat racing greats Steve Curtis in the world’s longest, toughest and most prestigious offshore powerboat race, the Venture World Cup Richard. “Both Steve and I are keen to take part in the race. We have been friends for over 30 years, so who better to go racing with? My first ever race in a Class 1 powerboat was with Steve back in 1981 in the Guernsey Gold Cup in a boat called ‘Rapporter’. That was my first taste of powerboat racing and I’m looking forward to racing with him again.” Teams are currently being announced for the race later this year, but with competition expected to be tough in 15m Atlantic swells, Richard knows that he will need to call upon all of his experience and skill if he is to succeed. “It will be a very, very challenging race,” he said. “The seas on the Atlantic side of Ireland can be extremely high and make for very difficult racing conditions. Some of the stages will be over 300 miles long and it’s an extreme test of your concentration and determination as a racer. The standard of competition will be extremely high with some world class teams taking part. I can’t wait to get back in the boat, I’m sure it will be great fun.” The 2016 Venture Cup begins on the 12 June, not long, so we are hoping for an entry list very soon. If This 1000 mile marathon lives up to the hype, it could become a regular calendar date.

MARIT CROWNED NORWAY’S SPORTS PERSON OF 2015 Is there no end to the acclaim heaped on Norway’s star Marit Stromoy. After her historic victory in the final race of the UIM World F1 Series, Marit was crowned Norway’s 2015/16 Sports Person of the year. Few can dispute the popular driver from Kristiansand is a hard worker dividing her time between racing and performing in cabaret as a singer, but she also devotes hours in her home country teaching young up and coming powerboat racing stars of tomorrow in her own team. 8 raceboatinternational

LONDON BOAT SHOW HOPES OF HIGH SALES

The London Boat Show drew to a close on Sunday 17 January with many companies reporting strong sales figures throughout the show and an increase on last year. This was despite there being a slight drop in visitors with 90,328 welcomed through the doors of the ExCel London this year, compared to 92,288 in 2015. The show saw over 132 boats make their debut, including the largest ever boat to be globally launched at LBS - a 40.05m Sunseeker 131 Yacht (pictured above) which was berthed out on the dockside. All together there were close to 400 boats showcased during the ten-day events with several new brands such as Adidas Sailing and Bainbridge International exhibiting for the very first time. A variety of activities took place at this year’s show, including visitors being provided with the opportunity to get out on the water for free, and to brush up on their essential boating knowledge. Over 1,000 beginners and experienced skippers got out on the Mediterranean Bay, a purpose built pool spanning 500sqm and overlooked by a Mediterranean themed village. A line-up of some of the world’s leading boating experts were available to talk about the latest technology and innovations in the marine industry. Alec Wilkinson, one of Britain’s top live sailing presenters, hosted daily panel discussions with guests

including Olympic sailor, Sir Ben Ainslie. The show also hosted award ceremonies galore, and a competition for the next generation of budding superyacht designers took place live on the show floor hosted by Superyacht Ltd, specialists in the international sales and charter of superyachts.

DUSSELDORF BOAT SHOW ATTRACTS OVER 250,000 While to London and Dusseldorf shows have always been regarded as rivals, it would appear to German event is streaking ahead in terms of visitor numbers. For reasons unknown, the two major international extravaganza’s have always been staged within days of each other meaning any exhibitor planning on attending the two has a frantic dash to get to Germany from London, particularly if they have a boat in tow. raceboatinternational 9

QATAR FLEET

SOLD OFF The once mighty Qatar fleet with its turbine and Class 1 cats and its Formula 1 circuit cats which were collecting world championships on a regular basis, came to a grinding halt when Qatar International Marine Club was disbanded in 2014 and the stock has recently been sold off CURTIS BUYS QATAR OFFSHORE FLEET A company Steve Curtis is closely associated with, Offshore Racing Services LLC of Orlando, FL, have bid for the now redundant Qatar offshore fleet. The stock includes three 41 foot Victory cats and the record breaking, turbine powered Mystic outfit. Also included in the deal is a Cigarette Top Gun, tow vehicles and countless spares. “A lot of folk thought when Qatar pulled out their stock would be sold at rock bottom prices, but that is not true,” reports Steve. Sheikh Hassan’s love of the sport remains as strong as ever, and he is currently seeking sponsorship for an offshore team which would have to race in the USA as Europe’s Class 1 series is finished.” The ex Qatar boats fit most US classes as one outfit has two 1650hp Mercury’s installed (Superboat Unlimited) while another is rigged for Superboat. When the deal has been finalised we hope to be able to tell you where each boat ends up.

CLASS 1 STOCK PLUG AN IDEAL PROJECT

10 raceboatinternational

GILLMAN BUYS UP QATAR F1 QUARTET We can also confirm that Scott Gillman, owner of Emirates F1 Team, has purchased the complete Qatar F1 armada that includes four DAC hulls. Scott intends to sell the boats and one is ideally suited to F2. Two of the craft have illustrious historys as Alex Carella won two world titles and Jay Price’s cat also clinched gold. Also included in the sale was a container packed with Mercury F1 spares which Scott says will last his team a lifetime. Again, there is no buyer lined up yet, but at Euros 50,000 each, they represent excellent value.

With the potential to be a superb race or pleasure catamaran, the brainchild of Rod RossSmith is an cheaper alternative to a 42 foot class 1 hull. The class 1 Stock is around 37 foot (to fit on a flat bed container), and the prototype was to be powered by twin Ilmors. Designed by Adam Younger the project was to be funded by the builder, but during the hull’s construction the workforce became engrossed in a new 55 foot monohull that looked a much more lucrative proposition, so the completed cat hull plug was put in ‘moth balls’. Since then there has been interest to produce a very stylish ‘cafe racer’ but nothing has progressed further than discussions. The plug is stored in dry workshop and awaits a buyer who can turn a dream into reality as we are sure a completed craft will attract much attention. Tel: 01590 673043 for more detail

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JANUARY/FE BRUARY 2 011 57

IN BRIEF

NEW US FEDERATION

Officials of the newly formed powerboat race sanctioning organization, North American Speedboat Federation (NASF), announced this week that the organization has signed two of North America’s premier tunnel boat racing series’ to its roster. North American Speedboat Federation welcomed US Formula 1 and S.P.O.R.T. to the fold upon its official launch last week. The announcement came at S.P.O.R.T.’s annual awards dinner, at which nearly 90 racers and crew from both US Formula 1 and S.P.O.R.T. were in attendance. Tim Seebold, 2015 US Formula 1 points’ champion, and driver of the number 16 NGK Sparkplugs boat, attended the dinner and expressed his support for the new organization. “This is definitely the first, important, step for us to be able to help our sport grow,” said Seebold, who along with his father Bill and brother Mike, make up one of the most successful families in boat racing history. “By this step, we now control our own destiny. If we’re going to move the sport into the future, we need to control every aspect of what we’re doing and this is a really important first step in that. I think this is a great move.”

NASF formed in early 2016 to provide boat racers with a progressive, marketing-forward, organization aimed at promoting racers, series’ and clubs on a national and international level. The organization also will provide an affordable avenue through which to race, including comprehensive insurance coverage at reasonable costs, and affordable membership rates. Chris Hughes, driver of the number 17 Formula Lights boat in both US Formula 1 and S.P.O.R.T. series’, said the new organization will offer a good alternative to other sanctioning bodies. “I’m in full support of what’s on the plate right now,” Hughes said. “We’re going to strive to move forward and this move is going to make that possible. It’s that simple. It’s about doing what’s best for all the bodies involved and joining NASF definitely does that. This is nothing but a step up for all of us in the sport.”

IS THE RYA RACING LICENCE GOOD VALUE? Take a look at the table below and see if you think the RYA offered teams value for money last year.

Swedish crews paid 215 Euro while UK teams paid 650 Euro for their licences which included insurance in 2015 and this year that little perk has now gone. Organising clubs are obliged to find their own insurance, course approvals, officials etc. and their only means of generating funds is through entry fees. RACING LICENCE FEES When the RYA commissioned an indepenSWEDEN 215E dant report on the state of powerboat racing in the UK we expected major recommendations UK 650E when in actual fact it seems all the problems FINLAND 170E have been ignored and all it appears to have achieved is to safeguard the RYA’s finances to NORWAY 425E avoid the huge losses that have been a regular ITALY 200E occurance in recent times. The burning question is ‘why is the RYA BELGIUM 225E holding on to powerboat racing when their UAE 270E yachting division is so successful?

TOP AUSSIE RACERS

Crash out of NZ Offshore Event AUSTRALIAN Powerboat 222 Offshore crashed out during round one of the New Zealand Offshore Powerboat Racing series held in Taupo. Pilot Darren Nicholson and throttle man Peter McGrath were both uninjured in the crash. Both crew are experienced in driving ‘Big Cats’, and i’s unclear what caused the crash although the team are reviewing the video footage from the race. Nicholson has been a regular on the now defunk UIM World Class 1 series behind the wheel of a Victory boat, and McGrath was the throttleman in Bill Barry-Cotter’s Maritimo boats. The shore team salvaged what they could of the damaged cat and have a lot of cleaning up ahead to repair and dry out the stricken cat.

ITALIAN COMINOFF MEMBER EMBEZZLER Lawyer, Alberto Pascali who has served as the Italian representative on the UIM COMINOFF committee, and has raced in Endurance BSport, has been found guilty of embezzlement. The judge disqualified him from public office, sentenced him to four and a half years in prison, and ordered him to pay 90,000 Euros. Pascali had promised to compensate his victims, but to date has not complied. With his position of power of attorney, the Como based lawyer had used the savings of a client who has been in a coma for 13 years.

2016 WORLD F2 LOOKS PROMISING We have been asked why the World F2 Championship does not have a single promoter. We understand the reasons are quite simple the UIM do not wish to appoint a promoter after the problems incurred by firstly Spain’s del Palacio and later by Dubai’s Abdul Salam Fairooz. Now each race is promoted by the National Authority and after the success of Tonsberg, Brindizi and Campione races, there are several new venues wishing to host a round of the series. The length of each race has been increased by 5 minutes (30 to 35) and should the yellow flag be raised around the 28-30 minute stage extra laps will be added to avoid a race finishing on a yellow flag. raceboatinternational 13

GOLD FOR CHIAPPE GLORY FOR STROMOY Article: David Sewell Photos: Arek Rejs, Simon Palfrader, Vittorio Obertone

14 raceboatinternational

WORLD F1 2015 PORTO

ABU DHABI and SHARJAH - FINAL ROUNDS OF 2015 SEASON Philippe Chiappe, the quiet, unassuming pilot from Rouen, France and driving for Team CTIC China, rounded off another great season with his second world crown in the Emirate capital Abu Dhabi. history WAS made one week later when Norwayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Marit Stromoy clinched her first F1 victory making her the only female to win an F1 GP in the male dominated sport

raceboatinternational 15

winner of the abu dhabi race Alex carella and team mate thani al qamzi who came third, knew they were fighting a lost cause if CTIC China philippe chiappe finished in the top three which he did with second place securing him the gold medal Abu Dhabi is now the longest reigning host of the UIM World F1 Series. Over its 24 year association with F1 the city has witnessed many changes and countless world champions being crowned. The ideal situation at the end of a season campaign is for the gold medal recipient to be decided after the ‘Grand Finale’ in Sharjah. However, there have been several times when the world championship has

16 raceboatinternational

been claimed in the penultimate grand prix, and 2015 was one of those years. Chiappe’s second place in Abu Dhabi was enough to crown him number one. Team CICT China’s nearest challenge was from Team Abu Dhabi which underwent major changes at the start of racing in 2015 when Italian Guido Cappellini took over the management from Scott Gillman and recruited three times world champion

Alex Carella from the disbanded Qatar outfit. Carella was joined by Thani Al Qamzi, possibly the best Arab driver since the UAE became involved in the sport. However, even this powerful duo were unable to dislodge the consistant Frenchman from taking the crown. Also in contention for the crown at the penultimate round of the 2015 season was Shaun Torrente who was also consigned from the Qatar Team to the newly

ABU DHABI

formed Victory Team from Dubai, more renowned for their offshore exploits. Victory have won countless world class I titles and are the reigning XCat world champions. Their foray into Formula 1 is a new venture and recruiting the American Torrente has put them at the front end of the grid. It was Sweden’s Jonas Andersson who swept into the lead at the start of the Abu Dhabi race, and had soon built up a substantial distance between himself Carella and then Chiappe. However, like so many races before, the Swede’s engine expired on lap 32 of 45 leaving Alex Carella to inherit the lead. Victory team’s Shaun Torrente was

challenging for a podium place until his hull started to delaminate and he beat a hasty retreat to the crane. Carella’s team mate, veteran Al Qamzi, again proved that he is still a force to be reckoned with as he clinched the final podium place. Finland’s Mad Croc Sami Selio led the race briefly after Andersson retired, but a loss of power dropped him down the field to finish 4th. Al Qamzi’s former team partner Ahmed Al Hameli, now with Emirate Racing owned by Scott Gillman, finished a creditable 5th after starting from 16th on the grid. Norway’s team leader Marit Stromoy of Team EMIC kept Duarte Benavente, number one pilot in

Team Atlantic, at bay to clinch 6th place with Poland’s Bart Marszalek occupying 8th place ahead of Team Atlantic’s Kuwaiti pilot Youseff Al Rubayan who finished a disappointing 9th after starting from the grid in 4th place. Chris Larigot of Team EMIC collected the final point on offer with his 10th place finish. While the Chiappe team of Manager Eric Chan, boatbuilder David Moore and engine tuner Alex Hedin participated in a celebration party, the rest of the F1 family were packing up their steeds for the two hour road trip to Sharjah. There was still valuable points for silver and bronze medals to be won in the last race of the 2015 series.

Abu Dhabi team drivers Thani Al Qamzi (left) and Alex Carella (above) who claimed second place in the championship

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18 raceboatinternational

Swedenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Jesper Forss had a disasterous weekend in Abu Dhabi when he managed to crash his boat twice, only thankfully, neither incident involved anyone else. He was one of the best F4 drivers in his time, but since joining Team Sweden in F1 his over enthusiasm has sometimes got the better of him as these pictures clearly show. raceboatinternational 19

HISTORY IN THE MAKING

SHARJAH ROUND 7 FINAL

Whilst The 2015 World CHampion was already decided at the penultimate round of the series, history was made 7 days later when Marit Stromoy clinched her first victory and became the first woman to win a formula 1 race in its 32 history When the F1H20 tour buses left the Abu Dhabi Hilton car park and headed for Sharjah, a two hour journey passing though Dubai on the way, the CITC China Team were still celebrating Philippe Chiappeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s second world title with the assurance that the Frenchman could effectively sit out the final race in the Sharjah grandstand as he already had the gold medal in his teeth. That would not, however, be the style of Mr Chiappe who was just as determined to finish his tre20 raceboatinternational

mendous season on a winning note. It was, therefore, a bitter disappointment that he had to drop out of the race with mechanical problems and a broken propellor after leading for two thirds of the final Grand Prix of the season. Nonetheless, Philippe Chiappe was crowned 2016 F1 World Champion and the outcome of that final grand prix became a landmark in the history of formlula 1 powerboat racing that attracted a great deal of international media attention when Marit

Stromoy, a lady from Kristiansand, Norway, became the first female pilot in the 32 year history of the UIM World Formula One Championship to win a Grand Prix, defeating 17 male drivers from ten different nations in the Sharjah event. Marit swept around the first corner cleanly moving from 4th on the grid to second with only Chiappe ahead of her. When the CITC China driver dropped out Stromoy was then faced with keeping three times world champion Alex Carella at

SHARJAH

Marit Stromoy is not only a F1 race winner, but she is also one of Norway’s top cabaret artistes and has featured on the Eurovision Song Contest . SHE MARRIED MR COLUMBO, A VERY SUCCESSFUL F1 BOAT BUILDER (BELOW) LAST YEAR

bay. “I could almost feel Carella breathing down my neck for the final twenty laps.” she said later. It appeared Carella was slowing down in the final two or three laps, or maybe Marit was speeding up, but either way she passed the chequered flag 4.7 seconds ahead of the Italian after he got within 1.2 seconds of her. Alex reported, “It was a tough grind today, but hats off to Marit on her historic win.” Pole setter Erik Stark of Emirate Rac-

ing was mystified as to why he let third place slip through his fingers. After chasing Carella for almost all the race, Victory Team’s Shaun Torrente slipped past him on the final right hander beating the man from Stockholm by 4 seconds. Finishing 5th was Finland’s Mad Croc Sami Selio who had not enjoyed the best of seasons, while Sweden’s Jonas Andersson filled 6th place, 50.21 seconds behind the winner.

There was doubt as to whether Emirate Racing’s Ahmed Al Hameli would take part as he was feeling unwell all day, but he lined up on the grid and, although never troubling the leaders, the Abu Dhabi resident finished in in 7th place a lap behind Stromoy, while young Swede Jesper Forss occupied 8th place with rookie driver, Nadir Bin Hendi who normally drives Class 1 and X Cats filled 9th place.

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Shaun Torrente overtook Erik Stark on the final lap to clinch 3rd place and 3rd in the Championship

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SHARJAH

2015 DRIVERS POINTS TABLE FINAL RESULTS POS

BOAT

DRIVER

NAT

QATAR

FRA

POR

CHINA

ABUDHABI

SHARJAH

TOTAL

Philippe Chiappe

FRA

RET

Alex Carella

ITA

DSQ

RET

Shaun Torrente

QAT

RET

Youssef Al Rubayan

KUW

RET

Marit Stromoy

NOR

DNS

Erik Stark

SWE

RET

DNS

RET

Sami Selio

FIN

RET

Jonas Andersson

SWE

RET

Thani Al Qamzi

UAE

RET

Filip Roms

FIN

RET

Ahmed Al Hameli

UAE

RET

Jesper Forss

SWE

RET

DNS

Francesco Cantando

ITA

RET

Duarte Benavente

POR

RET

Bartek Marszalek

POL

DNS

RET

Christophe Larigot

FRA

Cedrio Deguisne

FRA

RET

David Del Pin

ITA

DNS

Nadir Bin Hendi

UAE

RET

DNS

RET

Ziwei Xiong

CHN

RET

Bernd Enzenhofer

AUT

DNS

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THE MAN PHILIPPE CHIAPPE

When the undisputed champion of Endurance racing decided to try his hand in the premier division of Formula 1 in 2003 it was a very lacklustre start. Nevertheless, Philippe Chiappe persevered and today stands at the very pinnacle of his chosen sport winning his second F1 world title. He celebrated his second gold medal surrounded by family, wife Sandrine, daughter Noa (5) and daughter Fanny with her daughter Lexie (3) at the last round of the 2015 Formula 1 World Championship in Sharjah Formula One was not Chiappe’s first love and not his only powerboat outlet. In 1998 he won the famous Rouen 24 hour race and has continued in his success at Endurance racing in Rouen with victory in almost every year up to 2015. He has also been crowned World Endurance Champion in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015. At the start of the 2003 UIM World F1 season Philippe joined the grid for the first time in a BaBa hull (all his Endurance races including the Rouen 24 hour have been in Moore hulls). He soon realised it was not going to be as easy as it looked and for the first three years of Formula 1 racing his points record read 0,0,0. In 2008 things took a turn for the better, and driving a Moore outfit built by David Moore specifically for F1 racing, and driving for Team CTIC China he finished the season in 8thplace. He subsequently hovered around the 7th and 8th place until 2011 when he 24 raceboatinternational

climbed to 5th place behind Alex Carella who was crowned World Champion that year. The following year he chased Carella throughout eventually finishing in the runner up berth, and likewise in 2013 Carella clinchéd his third world title with Chiappe just seven points behind. 2014 was the year that will stick in Philippe’s mind for ever, he won his first F1 world title, and to prove it was no fluke he has followed it up in 2015 with the gold medal in his pocket and a race still in hand. With his obvious love of France, it is surprising to see he races for a Chinese team, but CTIC China have proved to be invaluable sponsors. The team’s number two driver is Ziwei Xiong who sees Chiappe as an ideal mentor. The rest of the team is French with Philippe’s boat-builder being Frenchman David Moore while team

Happy Chiappe family with wife Sandrine, daughters Noa and Fanny and grandaughter Lexie manager and former racer Philippe Dessertenne hails from La Rochelle. Unlike motor racing circuits F1 powerboats don’t race on smooth surfaces. Every lap, the water surface is unpredictable and at 100mph, the craft’s windscreen can be sprayed in salt water from a rivals wash, particularly on corners. Lewis Hamilton, three time World F1 motor racing champion, enjoys a multi-million pound lifestyle thanks to his skills behind the wheel of a Mercedes race car that is fitted with a multitude of technology to make his task that much easier. The tracks he drives on are solid and smooth as the cars have very little suspension. The Frenchman from Rouen on the banks of the Rover Seine also enjoys a million pound lifestyle through his racing success whilst Chiappe earns his money from a successful property developing company. However the Chiappe family have a passion for their sport as daughter Fanny and son Tom are following in their father’s footsteps and Fanny is a very successful F4 pilot. Wife Sandrine, looks after the little’uns Lexie (3) and Noa (5). Family Chiappe spend their holidays at their house in St Tropez on the French Riviera but

during a busy F1 season Philippe has little time for holidays. Like a lot of powerboat racers he keeps himself fit riding Moto-Cross and Showjumping. On the water few would argue Philippe Chiappe is the most consistant and safe driver on the circuit. He would not necessarily be described as spectacular, and he never seems to take chances, and yet in the last few years he just gets from A to B quicker than his rivals. In the pits, this tall fifty plus year old is quiet and unassuming, and the only time he got a little agitated was in 2013 when he was disqualified in Qatar on an alleged engine infringement which effectively robbed him of the world title. Truly Philippe Chiappe is on a real winning streak, and unless something dramatic happens there is no reason to suppose he cannot win another two or three world crowns, although his age may well be against him equalling Cappellini’s ten world F1 titles. Chiappe’s plans for this year is a third world title using the same boat as 2015 Philippe there is no eason why he can’t clinch another world title continjue to do endurance racing will be in ghe line up in the 2016 rouen 24 hr race. raceboatinternational 25

CLASS 1 End of the Line

It may have been the last WE WILL SEE of the Class 1 series, but it went out with a historic landmark when Abu Dhabi 6 claimed the world title for the first time ever. Photos: Simon Palfrader

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Left to right: Arif Al Zaffain, Nadir bin Hendi, Jon Tomlinson, Gary Ballough, Giovani Carpitella and Luca Fendi

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The writing has been on the wall for some time for the series with the biggest boats and the deepest pockets, and a very diminished season of just 2 races has finally taken its toll. The Abu Dhabi GP was almost certainly going to be the very last event in the UIM World Class 1 programme after H2o promoter Nicolo di San Germano pulled out. The world’s governing body UIM were confident there would be no trouble finding another promoter for 2016, but that has not materialised and the event in Abu Dhabi could pull the curtain down on this once famous class once and for all. However, for those of us in the Emirate capital during November 2015, we were about to witness another significant landmark in the history of Class 1 offshore. The Abu Dhabi 6 team of imported American’s John Tomlinson and Gary Ballough, with an almost new MTI catamaran, arrived in their home port with an 18 point advantage over near neighbours and prolific reigning world champions, Dubai’s Victory Team. They had collected valuable points in the mish mash of a meeting in Salerno, which acted as a support race for the Venice-Monte Carlo marathon Class 1 runner up Victory 3 crewed by Arif Al Zaffain and Nadir Bin Hendi,

RACE 1 The race course in the Abu Dhabi capital features the best of both worlds; the calm waters of the man-made inner harbour and leading out onto open seas which are almost always rough. Luca Fendi and Giovanni Carpetella in T Bone Station were far superior in the rough, and although they lost 3 or 4 seconds on the smoother inner leg they more than made up for it when the fleet headed outside. Arif Al Zaffain and Nadir Bin Hendi aboard Pole Sitter Victory 3 were confident as they swept into the lead of race one in their own boat (they leased a boat in Salerno), but as soon as they met the dirty water of the Gulf, T Bone Station overtook them to lead at the end of lap 1. Although Victory 3 pushed themselves to the limit, they could not catch the flying 28 raceboatinternational

The marina at Abu Dhabi

Luca Fendi and Giovanni Carpitella in T-Bone Station came so close but lost out in the final race

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Italians who won by 1.69 seconds. T Bone Station took the chequered flag ahead of Victory 3 while pre-race favourites Abu Dhabi 6 were relegated to 3rd place. Fourth place went to the pairing of Italian Matteo Nicolini and Australian Darren Nicholson in Victory 7. It was their first drive in this boat and it didn’t help their cause when they collided with Niclas Johansson and Christian Zaborowski in Energima Zabo. Although both managed to continue Energima came home 6th behind the second Abu Dhabi boat. The first V1 race was won by father and son team Antonio and Giuseppe Schiano aboard the bright orange Karelpiu who took the lead from the green flag. Britain’s Drew Langdon and Ian Blacker gave the Salerno race a miss but returned to the UAE determined to make up ground and clinched second place in Silverline ahead of Pole-Sitter Dmitry Vandyshev and Nico Bertels in the Belgium built Bernico New Star. There was 30 raceboatinternational

bitter disappointment for defending champions Malta’s Aaron Cianter and Dominiique Martini when their Chaudron stopped on the second lap dropping them to third in the championship.

RACE 2 As the crews headed for their boats prior to the start of the second and final race, nerves were stretched to the limit. Could Tomlinson and Ballough present Abu Dhabi with their first ever UIM World Class 1 championship? Would Al Zaffain and Bin Hendi see Victory’s nine year reign as world champions end here in the waters of their rivals, or could Italians Fendi and Carpitella take the gold medal home to Italy as no-one could remember the last team from that country to win the title. Abu Dhabi 6 held a slender eight point advantage, and with a 15 point deficit Victory 3 would need Abu Dhabi 6 or T Bone Station to retire for them to win gold. As

the green flag was dropped it was almost a drag race to the first turn with Abu Dhabi 6 coming out ahead of Victory 3 and Victory 7. It looked like the home team were on the way to a magnificent victory, but on lap three one engine went into ‘guardian mode’ with a turbo overheat. Tomlinson explained, “We had no throttle so had to pull it back and put the engine in neutral to let the RPM drop to clear the code. We were able to put it back into gear, throttle up and got going again although we lost about 10 seconds. From that point it was all about focus and getting to the end. It’s an awesome day especially for Abu Dhabi”. Victory 3 clinched the race win, but it was runner-up Abu Dhabi 6 who had gained the points required for the 2015 title, making history as they secured the Class 1 World Championship for Team Abu Dhabi on home waters. “This is a great day for Abu Dhabi. I am very honoured to be representing them,” said Tomlinson after winning the world title

Overall V1 winner â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Karelpiu RG87 crewed by father and son Antonio and Giuseppe Schiano

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for the second time, his first 18 years ago in 1997. Nicolini and Nicholson in Victory 7 filling 3rd place, and the hopes of T Bone Station were dashed when they got caught at the start and although they clawed their way back to 4th place aspirations of a world title had gone. The celebrations at the Abu Dhabi International Marine Club was unbridled. If ever there was a time to break open the champagne this was one. Not only had Tomlinson and Ballough broken the nine year reign of Victory as world Class 1 champions, but their MTI cat, built by Randy Scism in the USA, was the first non-Victory built boat to win gold. What happens to the Class 1 cats now remains very uncertain. The boats could be raced in the US SBI Superboat division, or perhaps the UIM will spring a surprise on us with a new promoter. With Chaudron now out of the running after their break down in Race 1, the Italian crew of Federico Montanari and Antonio Schiano in â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Karelpiu continued their dominance of the V1 division with the Pole Position Championship and another win giving them the 2015 world title. Dimitry Vandyshev and Nico Betels in Bernico New Star broke down on lap four leaving the way clear for Drew Langdon and Ian Blacker to clinch their second podium place of the weekend in Silverline in their first outing in the championship.

2015 WORLD CLASS 1 CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS 1

6 ABU DHABI

G. Ballough / J. Tomlinson

3 VICTORY

A. Al Zaffain / N. Bin Hendi

10 T-BONE STATION

L. Formilli Fendi / G. Carpitella

5 TEAM ABU DHABI

R. Al Tayer / M. Al Mansoori

91 ENERGIMA ZABO RELEKTA

N. Johansson / C. Zaborowski

7 VICTORY

D. Nicholson / M. Nicolini

2015 WORLD V1 CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS 1

81 KARELPIU RG87

G. Schiano / A. Schiano

4 BERNICO - NEW STAR

D. Vandyshev / N. Bertels

55 CHAUDRON

A. Ciantar / D. Martini

47 SILVERLINE

I. Blacker / D. Langdon

66 SEAREX-BALTEC

S. Greve / U. Gross

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Above: Ian Blacker and Drew Langdon secured second place in Silverline Below: Belgiumâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top powerboat builder Nico Bertels broke down in the final race of the season in Bernico - New Star but still managed to come 2nd in the championship Left: Aaron Ciantar and Dimitri Martini from Malta, last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s V1 Champions in Chaudron

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UIM-ABP AQUABIKE 2015

Sharjah

Serves up

Dramatic Finale Article: Nigel Quilter Photos: Arek Rejs

2015 was a year to savour with the curtain falling on an enthralling season in Sharjah, the final act of a dramafilled championship played out to the very end, the last lap of the year determining the final world title outcome. Runabout GP1 saved its best till last; Jean-Baptiste Botti topped the points table going into the final race. He led at the white flag and for 13 and a half of 14 laps, the title was surely his. Then disaster, a broken piston and it was game over. Youssef Al Abdulrazzaq seized the moment taking the chequered flag, the GP win and the title. Four riders claimed GP titles, five taking heat wins with the Middle East winning the battle over Europe; Qatar’s Thamer Al Darwish and Mohamed Al Heidus winning in Qatar and China, Khalifa Belselah taking overall honours for the UAE in Italy, with Kuwait’s Abdulrazzaq winning and walking off with the biggest prize of all in Sharjah. Second and third overall for French duo Botti and Jeremy Perez was scant consolation; Perez’s title hopes also ended with a break in the final race, whilst the charismatic Corsican will wonder what he must do, after falling at the final hurdle despite winning five of eight heats. His win from last place to first, stopping to salute the crowd then taking the chequered flag and wining by over 50 seconds in race 2 in Italy, the season highlight. Ski GP1 saw the end of a dynastic reign and the ushering in of a new King, Austria’s Kevin Reiterer, who started the year as young pretender and lined up for the final GP as champion elect. He was facing tough opposition; Jeremy and Mickael Poret looking to protect their five year run as champions, Nacho Armillas bidding for his first title and taking the opening title of the season on Doha bay. 34 raceboatinternational

In Castro in Italy Reiterer started his push for the crown, trading race wins with Mickael Poret and taking his first title, then followed that with the win double in China, a black flag for Jeremy Poret putting his title defence in big jeopardy. All Reiterer’s rivals faltered in race 1 in Sharjah, Jeremy Poret breaking, Armillas taking a big tumble and unable to recover, Mickael Poret never really getting going, unlike

Reiterer who cruised home to take his fourth win of the year and the title. The Poret reign was over and both were the first to congratulate Kevin Reiterer who ended the year in style with another win, another GP title and the coveted world championship in his debut season.

Austriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Kevin Reiterer started the year as young pretender and lined up for the final GP as champion elect.

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UIM-ABP AQUABIKE 2015

Menard

Jennifer Menard first in Ladies Ski

In the Ladies Division four grabbed GP titles and race wins, Spainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Sandra Fernandez stealing the overall win in Qatar, and the race wins going to French duo, Jennifer Menard and Estelle Poret. Italy saw the emergence of a real title contender - Swedish youngster Emma-Nellie Ortendahl grabbing her maiden race and Grand Prix title in the roughest conditions of the year, as the 16-year-old hit the front in the title race.

Estelle Poret grabbed another win, but the bad luck that has plagued her season left her still chasing that elusive first GP title. Jennifer Menard joined her on the podium, and in China being determined and fully fit she made it clear that she wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t going to let her title go without a fight as she took her first GP win of the year with two impressive victories and closing the pointsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; gap to EmmaNellie Ortendahl, taking third behind Beatriz Curtinhal. raceboatinternational 37

In Freestyle Rok Florjancic produced a true championsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; performance in heat 2 to retain his crown after a shaky opener,

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UIM-ABP AQUABIKE 2015

AQUABIKE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2015 Pos

Bike

Driver

Nat

Points

RUNABOUT GP1

Youssef Al Abdulrazzaq Runabout Champion

In Sharjah technical problems in race 1 all but ended Ortendahl’s dreams of winning the title. Menard now in control despite being relegated to fifth, the win went to Curtinhal ahead of Fernandez and a battling Marta Sorrentino. Curtinhal rounded out her debut season with a second win and her first GP title to finish third in the overall championship standings, with Menard following her home to retain her crown, and Ortendahl ending the year as runner-up. In Freestyle Rok Florjancic produced a true champions’ performance in heat 2 to retain his crown after a shaky opener, finishing behind his brother Nac and heat 1 winner Rashid Al Mulla. Two points separated the Florjancic brothers as they headed into a winner-take-all decider, Rok producing what he described as possibly his best ever routine to take the win and keep his title. 2015 was a fitting celebration of the sport’s 21 years with over 80 competitors from 23 countries pulling on the prestigious UIM-ABP vest. Defending champions dug deep, new champions and a crop of talented young stars emerged, and all will be setting their sights on the title in 2016.

AL ABDULRAZZAQ Youssef

KUW

112

BOTTI Jean Baptiste

FRA

102

PEREZ Jeremy

FRA

AL DARWISH Thamer

QAT

BELSELAH Khalifa

UAE

SKI DIVISION GP1 1

REITERER Kevin

AUT

161

PORET Jeremy

FRA

111

ARMILLAS Nacho

ESP

106

PORET Mickael

FRA

105

BARRET Alex

FRA

FLORJANCIC Rok

CRO

177

FLORJANCIC Nac

CRO

170

MARIANI Roberto

ITA

114

AL ABDULLA Bader

QAT

AL MULLA Rashid

UAE

MENARD Jennifer

FRA

138

ORTENDAHL Emma-Nellie

SWE

123

CURTINHAL Beatriz

ESP

121

PORET Estelle

FRA

FERNANDEZ Sandra

ESP

FREESTYLE

SKI LADIES GP1

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Round 6 - 2015 FINAL NOV 27

XDubai power to Abu Dhabi GP win for fourth XCAT title The XDubai team of Nadir bin Hendi and Arif Al Zaffain wrapped up the 2015 UIM XCAT World Series with a masterclass in powerboat racing, leading the Abu Dhabi GP from start to finish to take the overall title for the fourth consecutive season Article: Karien Jonckheere Photos: Raffaello Bastiani

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Photos: Raffaello Bastiani/Marzia Benincasa

POS

XCAT 2015 CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL RESULTS

NO. TEAM

CREW

TOTAL

XDUBAI

Arif Al Zaffain / Nadir Bin Hendi

180

ABU DHABI TEAM

Rashed Suhail Al Tayer / Faleh Khalfan Almansoori

166

SIX

Matteo Nicolini / Tomaso Polli

126

T - BONE STATION

Giovanni Carpitella / Darren Nicholson

122

SWECAT RACING

Erik Stark / Michael Bengtsson

101

DUBAI

Salem Al Adidi / Eisa Al Ali

VIDEX

Alfredo Amato / Joakim Kumlin

TEAM SARACEN AUSTRALIA

Brett Luhrmann / Pal Virik Nilsen

LADY SPAIN

Jay Price / Shaun Torrente

MARINE INVESTMENTI SUD

Serafino Barlesi / Alessandro Barone

YACHTS

Francois Pinelli / Saul Bubacco

GOLD COAST AUSTRALIA

Tom Barry-Cotter / Ross Willaton

RAHEEB

Abdullateef Al Omani / Mohammed Al Matlai

FUJAIRAH TEAM

Roberto Lo Piano / Francesco Calo

MOUAWAD 50

Gary Ballough / Joakim Kumlin

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With XDubai heading into the sixth and final race of the year, and starting in third position after a number of problems in pole position, Nadir Bin Hendi had admitted to a few butterflies, with the Abu Dhabi team of Rashed Al Tayer and Faleh Al Mansoori just five points behind them in the overall standings. But the massively experienced defending Series Champions mastered the rough conditions on the start lap to reach the first buoy, and the safety of the flat water, in first position. The T-Bone Station team of Giovanni Carpitella and Darren Nicholson, who started in second spot, had come close to challenging them when taking a tight line into the first turn, but could just not edge ahead and stayed in second spot for the remainder of the race. Arif Al Zaffain explained there were a few nervous moments in the boat when he thought they were experiencing gear problems. “At the start we saw the Abu Dhabi Team doing a big jump and we didn’t want to do the same, so I put my finger on the right engine trim,” he said. “But I used too much trim and thought I had a problem with the gear box, and then Nadir reminded me: ‘Your finger, your finger on the trim!’ So we went down, but it was for this reason that we lost maybe two seconds, and for this reason that T-Bone Station came so close to us. But then we pushed 42 raceboatinternational

again and it was good to finish the race without any problems.” Bin Hendi said there was much elation in the boat once they crossed the finish and the successful defence of their title was secured. “It was a feeling we can’t express. We screamed in the cockpit very loudly. We were so hungry for it. Thank God we got it.” he said. Meanwhile, T-Bone Station’s Giovanni Carpitella explained that he knew before hand the start would be vital. “We had to do everything we could at the start because the rest of the race was flat and we knew we couldn’t win it in those conditions,” he said. “Once we reached the flat water the race was over and then it wasn’t worth it to take any risks, so we just aimed to keep our position in second place.” As for just missing out on an overall Series podium spot (they would have claimed third had they won Saturday’s race, but eventually finished in fourth place) the Italian was not particularly concerned. “I was just racing to win this race and wasn’t really thinking about third place in the Championship.” he said. XDubai’s closest challenger in the Series, Abu Dhabi Team, whose only race win of the season came in the opening round in Fujairah, eventually finished in third place in Saturday’s race and settled for second spot overall in the Series. The Italian duo of Tomaso Polli and Mat-

teo Nicolini in Six held on to third spot overall in the Series despite a disappointing 12th place finish on Saturday after losing power in one of the engines. Mathematically, the pair could still have claimed top spot in the championship, but it was not their day. “One of the engines started to not give 100 per cent performance. The boat was going slowly and the last three laps we were just going down, so our goal then was just to finish to get the points for third place overall, and we managed to finish.” he explained. The Dubai team of Salem Al Adidi and Eisa Al Ali, who started in pole position in Saturday’s race, had a horrible start and were well back by the first turn, but managed to recover to finish in third spot. XCAT racing is now looking forward to an exciting 2016 calendar, with the introduction of the 4-stroke Mercury ROS engines from March next year. There are some new venues for this year’s UIM XCAT Series including Lake Lugano in Switzerland playing host to one of the seven rounds as well as two Asian venues in September and October which will be confirmed at a later date. The season will begin in the Gulf of Oman in the city of Fujairah from 7-8 April and then on to Dubai 15-16 April. It’s then Switzerland and hopefully the two meetings in Asia before the season is concluded in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

2015 XCAT FINAL

Rashed Suhail Al Tayer and Faleh Khalfan Almansoori in Abu Dhabi Team - 2nd in the championship Left: Giovanni Carpitella and Darren Nicholson in T-Bone Station Below: Matteo Nicolini, Tomaso Polli in the Italian boat HOORSENBUHS - SIX was third in the championship

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SBI SUPERBOAT INTERNATIONAL OFFSHORE

KEY WEST WORLD TITLES

Nov 18 2015

THE SUPER BOAT INTERNATIONAL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS EVENT ENDED AFTER THREE DAYS OF RACING LEADING TO AN EXCITING RACE ON SUNDAY IN CHALLENGING SEA CONDITIONS. different about this year’s championship, Teams came to Sunday’s race with everyMeyer responded without hestitation. thing riding on the line for the world titles. “I’m so glad to have my friend Joe Sgro Team CMS Motorsports, fielding two out here racing with us again,” Meyer said, MTI’s, took first and second overall in the referring to Sgro, who competed alongside Superboat Unlimited Class. Team WHM Steve Curtis in the Outerlimits V-bottom in Motorsports won the World Title in Suthe same class as Meyer and finished third perboat class fielded by nine boats… the overall. “We all have such a good time raclargest fleet of the season. The Hooters/ ing against each other, and I think it showed Instigator team of Peter Meyer and John Stanch took home the Superboat Extreme this week.” According to Randy Scism, the throttleclass world title in Meyer’s Fountain. man of the CMS 3 52-foot MTI that earned “This is my 12th world championship the Superboat Unlimited class world and it’s still special,” said Peter Meyer, after championship alongside owner/driver Bob winning Wednesday and Friday and finishing second on the final day of racing on Sunday.“ 2015 KEY WEST WORLD CHAMPIONS When asked what, if anything, was SUPERBOAT UNLIMITED

CMS

LUCAS OIL SILVERHOOK

113

MISS GEICO

TEAM CRC SUNLIGHT SUPPLY

ALEX AND ANI

SPEED RACER PERF BOAT CENTER

WHM MOTORSPORTS

CLEVELAND CONSTRUCTION

TEAM AMSOIL

STIHL

BROADCO

PERFORMANCE BOAT CENTER

SAILOR JERRY AUTONATION

MARITIMO

HP MAFIA

SUPERBOAT

SUPERBOAT EXTREME 1

HOOTERS INSTIGATOR

TWISTED METAL MOTORSPORTS

OUTERLIMITS

FREEDOM

SUN PRINT

SUPERBOAT VEE 9

PHANTOM

LSB LILLY SPORT BOATS

BOATFLOATER.COM SUPERBOAT STOCK

44 raceboatinternational

S-29

TALBOT

S-110

SMART MARINE

S-111

BBR BLAKES BROTHERS RACING

S-19

FJ PROPELLER

S-1

PAPA’S PILAR RUM

Bull after finishing first on Wednesday and Friday and second on Sunday, the Superboat Unlimited class was pretty competitive in Key West this year. Billy Mauff and Jay Muller won the 2015 world championship in the Superboat class in Mauff’s 40-foot Skater Powerboats catamaran. Scism said the world championship was the perfect end to a triple crown feat that included the SBI National Championships and World Championships along with last week’s MTI world championship by the Abu Dhabi Team in the Union Internationale Motonautique Class 1 circuit. In the other classes, the always competitive WHM Motorsports team of Billy Mauff and Jay Muller managed to claim the championship after finishing second, first and third in the three races. The evenly matched class featured nine boats in the start of Sunday’s final race, and managed to have a different team win on each day. In the overall standings, Cleveland Construction finished second and Team AMSOIL rounded out the podium in third. Unfortunately for the father-and-son team in the HP Mafia Skater, the day ended early when they barrel-rolled their 38-foot Skater after exiting turn one. Fortunately neither of them were seriously injured. Anthony Smith and Anthony Smith Jr., escaped a spectacular crash early in the Superboat class race on Sunday. After finishing first, second and second in the week’s three races, Kyler Talbot and Jay Muller claimed the Superboat Stock class championships ahead of Patriot Vapor and BBR Blakes Brothers Racing, while the winner of the Superboat Vee class world championship went to Sun Print’s Steve Miklos and Jason McGonnel who finished second, second and first in the three days or racing. In the Manufacturers classes, the Crazy Chicken team of Dee Early and Anthony Silveira edged out Two Cruel to win the Manufacturer 4 class title after taking first in all three races, and the 2nd Amendment team of Neil Wobbe and Karl Steger walked away with the world title after claiming first, second and first to finish 135 points ahead of The Developer team of Scott Brown and Eddie Tamberino.

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2016

OFFSHORE It’s not as easy as it would appear, previewing the year ahead. While many promotions have their calendars ‘done and dusted’ with very lttle chance of changes, other are still struggling to find that extra venue. One very obvious change from the 2015 offshore season is that there is no UIM World Class I Series this year. We keep hearing rumours from the UIM that they are in talks with potential promoters, but in reality, we think it’s more ‘wishful thinking’ although maybe something will come up for 2017. A possible format that could give these offshore greyhounds another chance to keep racing would be to introduce a pre Mauro Ravenna world championship series - three races at one venue over one week. In terms of economics it would be a fraction of the cost of the redundant multi-GP series and would guarantee the host city a very welcome income from teams and supporters. In the meantime we can only assume Class I is no-more and the boats will no doubt be seen in America, Australia or New Zealand. As for the V hulls, they have the option to revert to Endurance Racing, and we may see them at Cowes-Torquay and the Venture Cup Round Ireland, but two races is hardly worth keeping an expensive twin engined 40ft race boat ouitfit primed for action, so we could see them disappearing to the US for the SBI Championship. So for those folk who get excited about the sight and sounds of V8 and V12’s they can get their ‘adrenaline rush’ in the US. Or, with almost every Superboat race being filmed, you can watch it on television. Not so easy to watch, but still very active are the races in Australia and New Zealand where they still have healthy Class 1 type boats. Sadly, we get very little information from down under although the Australian Formula Jetsprint Association emply a very good PR company who regularly send us reports and images. The only Class 1 competitors who we know will be competing this year is Arif Al Zaffain and Nadir Bin Hendi who crew in the XCat ‘XDubai’, and Luca Fendi and Giovanni Carpitella in the XCat T’Bone Station. Nadir Bin Hendi will also complete in the F1 Victory Team.

46 raceboatinternational

PREVIEW

XCAT RACING

XCats have had their ups and downs over recent years, but today the series looks reasonably stable. Their final race of 2015 (which was screened) provided one of the most spectacular events in recent times. Run in Dubai in rough conditions, we saw Matteo Nicolini produce a spectacular nose-dive, while Swecat returned to the pits with one engine on the aft deck. This year there is a new venue on the XCat calendar. Lake Lugano in Switzerland, where F1 has raced in previous years, will host the 3rd round of the 2016 series. The fleet were due to return to Australia and Portugal this year, but both of those venues have been put back a year.

Not surprisingly the dominant team is XDubai crewed by Victory General Manager Arif Al Zaffain and Nadir bin Hendi. It appears Victory build the majority of the XCat craft and the duo spend hours testing their boat. This year we hear the new Mercury ROS 4 stroke engines will be debuted in the championship, The engines, which have been developed for racing by Mercury in conjunction with Victory, have been tested and proved to be quite successful. However, the boats would have to undergo modifications to cater for the extra weight, and it is unclear whether the existing teams will be allowed to continue to use the 2 strokes.

xcat 2016 CALENDAR

7-8 APRIL

FUJAIRAH, UAE

15-16 APRIL

DUBAI, UAE

4-5 JUNE

LUGANO, SWITZERLAND

24-26 SEPT

TBA

8-9 OCT

TBA

17-18 NOV

ABU DHABI, UAE

2-3 DEC

DUBAI, UAE

raceboatinternational 47

UK RACING 2016 PREVIEW

UK NATIONAL 2016 CALENDAR

18-19 JUNE

ALLHALLOWS

AYC - rnd 1/2

22-24 JULY

GUERNSEY

GPA - RND 3/4

2-4 SEPT

COWES

BPRC RND 5

17-18 SEPT

WHITSTABLE

SEPA RND 6/7

UK NATIONAL RACEBOAT CHAMPIONSHIP 27-29 MAY

TORQUAY

OCRDA

15-17 JULY

WEST BAY

OCRDA

7-9 OCT

PLYMOUTH

OCRDA

Above: OCRDA Racing at Plymouth Left: Cowes Classic wet pits

COWES CLASSIC BPRDC Now regarded as the ‘Flagship’ event in the UK calendar the Cowes-TorquayCowes Race is now in its 56th year. Winning this famous marathon race has been the ambition of every offshore racer. The race always attracts a strong spectator base and huge crowds can always be guaranteed particularly at Portland Bill and along the clifftops. Peter Dredge, There are 7 rounds of the UK National Championships this year at 4 venues, Allhallows, Guern- Mal Crease and Simon Powell took the honours in 2014 and 2015 in the Vector sey, Cowes and Whitstable. It’s difficult to find out who will be racing where as some teams 40 ‘Vector Martini Rosso’ and they hope intend to race in OCRDA’s club events, although it would be difficult to do both. At SEPA to be back this year in the same boat events there could be up to10 boats. There is some contention between the organising associations SEPA and OCRDA, but one day they will resolve their differences and unite the UKs despite Peter being involved in a horrific offshore fleet to race together in one championship. Last year’s National Champion was Kevin accident while testing the boat. The Cowes Classic boats are no lonEdmondson and Anika Hawthorn. ger moored at Cowes as they used to be, The 2016 UK offshore calendar is a far cry from the 1980-90’s when up to thirty-forty OCR however, the race will start off the Royal and Class 3 craft undertook a full programme of races the length and breadth of the counYacht Squadron, Cowes before they head try. Activity today takes place almost entirely on the south coast and the most active club is off to Torquay. After stopping there for a OCRDA (Offshore Racing Drivers Association) They have three events in the programme this year starting in Torquay where they hope to have up to fifteen teams lining up. The picturesque short while, there will be a second start for the leg back to Cowes. Dorset fishing village of West Bay plays host to race two for the third year running, and the Also at Cowes that weekend will be a offshore fleet are joining forces with the National Ski Racing Association. With up to 35 boats Cowes-Poole-Cowes race. participating, it will be wall to wall action over that weekend. The OCRDA Finale is at the naval We do not have any knowledge of the port of Plymouth which boasts the finest natural grandstand in the world....Plymouth Hoe. runners yet, but we will have some inforWe expect the same teams as last year with the addition of a new Bernico boat for Bob mation by the next issue. McCarthy with the same name ‘If Only’.

UK OFFSHORE

48 raceboatinternational

INTERNATIONAL OFFSHORE 2016 CALENDAR

18-19 JUNE

COWES-TORQUAY-COWES COWES-POOLE-COWES

COWES COWES

2-5 JULY

WORLDS 3A AND 3B

TVESDISTRAND, DNORWAY

14 June

VENTURE CUP

ireland

5-7 AUG

JERSEY POWERBOAT FESTIVAL

3A AND 3B WORLDS - NORWAY The town of Tvesdistrand, Norway plays host to Class 3 in July on the sheltered waters of the fjord. When Scandinavia plays host to Class 3, invariably their home ultra fast, lightweight bcat secures the gold on a course laid out in the sheltered fjord (although it can get rough inside). However, we understand that the course will include a leg that will take the boats into the open waters of the North Sea, giving the rough water specialists a chance to shine. There will be entries from Sweden, Finland and Italy, and several crews from the UK and Guernsey hope to attend - 2015 3A Silver medallist Jack Bobin will be hoping to go one step up; in similar Phantom 19G hulls will be John Guille, Pal Etasse and John Richardson; Sharon Atlee returns to racing after a year’s break; Kevin Edmondson in the Phantom ‘Yknot’, Alan Power from Ireland in his own design and build monohull, and the wily old fox Bob McCarthy will be racing his new Bernico. It will be interesting to see who chooses to run the new Mercury 115 Pro XS 4 Stroke motor in 3A and B. The manufacturer claims of its superiority can only be proven in an event such as this. and John Guille from Guernsey.

Above left: Torquay dry pits Above: Bob McCarthy’s new Bernico boat ready to race in 2016 OCRDA

raceboatinternational 49

UK RACING 2016 PREVIEW

THUNDERCAT 2016 CALENDAR

16-17 April

BOURNEMOUTH, DORSET

14-16 MAY

FISTRAL BEACH, CORNWALL

4-5 JUNE

LIVERPOOL

9-10 JULY

SOUTHSEA

27-28 AUG

CLEVEDON, SOMERSET

24-25 SEPT

WATERGATE BAY, CORNWALL

14-16 OCT

GIBRALTAR

THUNDERCAT By John Moore The British ThunderCat Racing Series is getting warmed up for 14 rounds of rough and tough action in venues as far north as Liverpool and as far south as Gibraltar. For added glamour to the ever popular discipline, a new team, ‘Miss Galaxy’, will be joining the championship hunt. Former offshore powerboat racer, Sarah Donohue, who now oversees the Miss Galaxy Universe contest, a fitness show based arouind performance and functionality, will be choosing two lucky ladies from her contestants to compete in the 2016 ‘Miss Galaxy’ ThunderCat team. One thing is for sure this year, ThunderCat Racing will crown a new crew as British Champions as 2015 winner, James Tapp, has gone back into racing retirement and will be concentrating his efforts on overall event organisation and in equal measure mentoring the Welsh pairing of Rob Davies and Darren Pillips to further success. The 2015 rookie team took a third overall in the British Championship. This year they will not only benefit from Tapp’s advice but will be racing his winning hull ‘Microlink/Ahmad Tea’. 2014 champions, Bligh Julius and Charlie Hatfield, will only be competing in a handful of events, which will allow the team from Lymington race wins, but not a crack at the title. Julius told us, “Work commitments don’t allow us to race a full programme this year, our focus is on the World Championships in South Africa next year, although expect ‘Team 3 Multispark Race Products’ to be every bit as competitive in the races we do!” ThunderCat Racing supremo, Fiona Pascoe looks forward to the season with her usual enthusiasm and boundless energy, “This has to be one of the most difficult to predict championships we have had for many a year. It’s an open field, the Welsh teams of ‘Microlink/Ahmad Tea’ and ‘51 Racing’ (Simon Harding and Kurt Croft) will certainly fancy their chances, Stuart Croxford’s ‘Team Endeavour’ will be in their second season, David Finlayson’s ‘Haggis Hunters’ are super consistent, and a ‘dark horse’ could be the new team of ‘Student Loan’ (Josh Broadbent and Sebastian Watts).” 50 raceboatinternational

She continued, “Team Kingfisher Fire & Security’ have a new pilot, Jake Lawrence, and he is looking for a co-driver to join him in a super hull and engine package.” My tip for glory this year? Gary Tolman and Scott Brown in ‘Multispark’. The duo have been quietly learning and listening, whilst improving their race results.

POWERBOAT P1 2016 CALENDAR

14 MAY

SCARBOROUGH

18 JUNE

GREENOCK

9 JULY

GOSPORT

28 AUG

CARDIFF

3 SEPT

BOURNEMOUTH

POWERBOAT P1 Powerboat P1 is unlike the National Championship inasmuchas it’s run as a commercial operation where a lot of the boats are leased to teams as opposed to being owned by individuals. It is a one design series where each boat and engine is identical. The craft are 28 foot long Panters powered by an Evinrude 250 ETEC outboard which produces around 70mph. A typical P1 event involves four races (this year it is 5) which are very testing on man and machine yet breakdowns are few and far between. An added attraction at a P1 GP is AquaX racing that is always a big attraction with the crowds as they spend considerable time airborne when it’s rough. On the final day of the 2015 season Nick Williams and Martin Robinson in ‘Flying Panther’ pipped John Wilson and DaisY Coleman aboard ‘Pertemps’ to the title by 6 points. Two years ago

Welsh duo James Norvill and Charles-Parsons Young won the UK P1 championship and also secured the US version of the P1 championship using an identical boat. The achievment involved several flights across the Atlantic. Soon to be added to the P1 programme is a RIB (Rigid Hulled Inflatable) that has been designed and built for the P1 organisation as an additional race series. The craft has been undergoing extensive sea trials and early reports have been positive. Scotland has joined the calendar for the first time with a round of the championship at Greenock. A new team for 2016 will be Craig Wilson who has competed in many offshore races in larger boats and now, with a sponsorship from Beco, joins P1 with his team mate who is new to powerboat racing Micah Paul.

raceboatinternational 51

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2016 OFFSHORE PREVIEW

SUPERBOAT INTERNATIONAL With most of the US races being televised thanks to ‘streaming’, offshore fans in Europe can still enjoy ‘big boat’ racing even if it is happening thousands of miles away. The 2016 offshore racing season is setting up to be another exciting year for Super Boat International. Races are scheduled throughout the year with various locations in Florida, New York, Ohio and Indiana. Clearwater Beach will once again welcome Super Boat International for the National Championships, and Key West will host the most unforgettable race of the year, the 36th Annual Key West World Championships. The 2016 season features seven races and promoter John Carbonell hopes to add a further two that are currently under negotiation.

US SUPERBOAT INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP 2016 CALENDAR

13-16 MAY

COCOA BEACH, FL

24-26 JUNE

MARATHON, FL

5-7 AUG

MICHIGAN, IN

26-28 AUG

MENTOR, OH

TBA

PT JEFFERSON

28 SEPT-2 OCT

CLEARWATER, FL

6-13 NOV

KEY WEST, FL (WORLDS)

9 DEC

ABU DHABI, UAE

16 DEC

SHARJAH, UAE

raceboatinternational 53

2016

CIRCUIT PREVIEW

UIM WORLD F1 CHAMPIONSHIP 2016 looks like being a great year for F1H2o, and it could be that without the burden of Class I the management will be able to devote all their resources to the F1 series again. Although only 6 metres long the lightweight composite hulls have a 2.5 litre outboard bolted to the back producing over 300hp. An F1 catamaran can reach speeds of 120 mph, and has a better acceleration than an F1 race car. A ll craft are fitted with the very latest safety equipment and re-enforced crash pods either side of the cockpit. In the event of a high speed t-bone crash, these pods provide protection for the driver. There is also an air-bag concealed above the pilots head and in the event of a capsize, the bag is activated which flips the boat upright and allows rescuers to reach the driver. In recent times it appears world champions invariably win back to back titles, although none look like reaching the ten world crowns attained by Italian Guido Cappellini. At the end of the 2014 and 2015 season it was the turn of Franceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Philippe Chiappe to dominate the top podium spot, and before him Italian Alex Carella collected three gold medals. Who will be standing on the top step of the podium in December is guess work, but Chiappe has developed into a very consistant and safe driver surrounded by an excellent team, and he will almost certainly start the series as favourite. However, he will have at least eighteen pilots from ten nations all determined to take on the CTIC China team. Harbin in China is a new venue on the F1 calendar this year together with two unconfirmed venues both in Asia. Also new to F1 racing is the Class 1 venue in Dubai. 54 raceboatinternational

F1 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2016 CALENDAR

4 MARCH

DUBAI, UAE

17 JULY

EVIAN, FRANCE

31 JULY

PORTO, PORTUGAL

4 SEPT

HARBIN, CHINA

2 OCT

LIUZHOU, CHINE

16 OCT

ASIA TBA

6 NOV

ASIA TBA

9 DEC

ABU DHABI, UAE

16 DEC

SHARJAH, UAE

ON THE

Above: Nadir Bin Hendi

GRID2016

Left: Jonas Andersson

CTIC F1 CHINA TEAM TEAM MANAGER: ERIC CHAN DRIVERS: 1 - PHILIPPE CHIAPPE 2 - XIONG ZIWEI

EMIC RACING TEAM

TEAM MANAGER: PAOLA BOCHETTI DRIVERS: 50 - MARIT STROMOY 51 - MIKE SZYMURA

BABA RACING

TEAM MANAGER: MICHAEL JENKINS DRIVERS: 11 - SAMI SELIO 12 - FILIP ROMS

F1 ATLANTIC TEAM

TEAM MANAGER: MARIO BENAVENTE DRIVERS: 9 - CHRISTOPHE LARIGOT 10 - DUARTE BENAVENTE

EMIRATES RACING TEAM TEAM MANAGER: SCOTT GILLMAN DRIVERS: 27 - AHMED AL HAMELI 28 - ERIK STARK RD - SCOTT GILLMAN

VICTORY TEAM

Above: F1 Grand Prix in Porto, Portugal

TEAM MANAGER: RAGESH ELAYADETH DRIVERS: 3 - NADIR BIN HENDI 4 - SHAUN TORRENTE

TEAM SWEDEN

TEAM MANAGER: MATS ECKERVALL DRIVERS: 14 - JONAS ANDERSSON 15 - JESPER FORSS JONAS ANDERSSON

BLAZE PERFORMANCE TEAM TEAM MANAGER: FRANCESCO CANTANDO DRIVERS: 23 - BARTEK MARSZALEK 24 - FRANCESCO CANTANDO

TEAM ABU DHABI

TEAM MANAGER: GUIDO CAPPELLINI DRIVERS: 5 - THANI AL QAMZI 6 - ALEX CARELLA

Above: Team Blaze Performance - Bartek Marszalek Right: Erik Stark behind Marit Stromoy

raceboatinternational 55

2016 CIRCUIT PREVIEW

UIM WORLD F2 CHAMPIONSHIPS The 2015 World F2 champion, Sweden’s Pierre Lundin, won the title by default although it was no fault of his own. He was at the top of the points table but meetings were cancelled and at the end of the season on a much depleted calendar Lundin was leading. With that in mind the programme for 2016 looks very ambitious, but if all seven GP’s are staged it will be a superb series. An F2 outfit is almost identical to F1 with only the engine producing less power. Several drivers use F1 hulls to race in F2 as both are around 6 metres long, and they have to comply with the same safety rules. Many of the drivers in this year’s championship have competed in F1, indeed Lundin was a very valued member of the CTIC China team. Unlike F1 which only has one lady driver, Marit Stromoy, F2 has at least three - Bimba Sjoholm (who has also raced F1 in the past), Mette Bjerknaes and Chiara Rossi. Part of F2’s problems regarding event cancellations can be blamed on the fact that unlike F1 which has F1H2o as its sole promoter, F2 relies on national promoters to stage each event. In 2015 Norway’s Frode Sundstal promoted his very successful event in Tonsberg, but admitted it was very hard work. A weekend’s activity also involved ‘match racing’ where two drivers go ‘head to head’ in a series of sprints on a straight line course. The winner of each heat goes through to quarter final, semi final and grand finale. One straightaway is longer and after one sprint the driver swaps his straight so both travel the same distance. It can be very spectacular as there is a hairpin turn at the end of each of the two laps. Many times there is only a boat length between the duo at the chequered flag. As for picking the champion at the end of the season, Pierre Lundin has to start favourite as his brother Christian owns Sweden’s top Mercury tune shop, but Austria’s Rupp Temper has to be in the mix and his equipment is prepared by former world champion Micheal Werner. Britain is represented by Matt Palfreyman who has made a dramatic rise to the top after competing in F4 only three years ago. However, after Marit Stromoy’s famous victory in the F1 finale in Sharjah, we are sure Bimba, Mette or Chiara are determined to top the podium.

F2 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2016 CALENDAR

10-12 june

pURUNKA, FINLAND

25-26 JUNE

BRINDISI, ITALY

8-9 JULY

TVEDESTAND, NORWAY

27-28 AUG

TONSBERG, NORWAY

TBC

ZARASAI, LITHUANIA

10-11 SEPT

MALON, FRANCE

24-25 SEPT

STEWARTBY, UK (EURO)

9 DEC

ABU DHABI, UAE

16 DEC

SHARJAH, UAE

raceboatinternational 57

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2016 CIRCUIT PREVIEW

Jonathan Brewer

BRITISH CIRCUIT RACING 2016 CALENDAR

GT15 in action at the 2015 European Championships

1 MAY

LOWESTOFT

OULTON BROAD

28-29 MAY

LANCASHIRE

CARR MILL DAM

2-3 JULY

KINGSBURY

BODYMOOR HEATH

16-17 JULY

CHASEWATER

COUNTRY PARK

6-7 AUG

STEWARTBY

STEWARTBY LAKE

27-28 AUG

NOTTINGHAM

HOLME PIERREPONT

17-18 SEPT

STEWARTBY

STEWARTBY LAKE

24-25 SEPT

STEWARTBY (EURO)

STEWARTBY LAKE

KEEPING UP WITH THE ACTION DAILY WEBSITE UPDATES

QUARTERLY MAGAZINE FEATURING Formula and offshore world championships

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raceboatinternational 59

YESTERYEAR

1967

Ray Bulman, powerboat ‘correspondant’ from the very beginning, was reminded of his own participation in the 1967 Cornish 100 navigating for the Countess of Arran in her Avenger 21 ‘Badger’. “It used to take ages driving to Plymouth as there were no motorways in those days. Back then the courses took the boats way out to sea, and unlike today when racing

N Saturday night the meteorological station at R.A.F. Mount Batten in ed Plymouth put out the bad news. It claim rain as a certainty for Sunday morning, with force 5 south westerly winds forusiasts company. To the power boating enthish assembled in Plymouth for the Corn nted a 100 class III offshore race, this prese many gloomy picture. Only a week before e, to of them had toiled along to Folkeston ising see the weather write off a most promever, Dubonnet cross channel event. HowMount Sunday’s weather out pinted R.A.F. Batten admirably to provide constant a brisk sunshine and a fresh breeze to set up chop out of Plymouth Sound. Splendid sea racing conditions with a big enough For running to please the heavy brigade. if the the first time this season it looked as e rough water boats would be able to mak ing. the runn the The Cornish 100 provides one of ore offsh most entertaining courses for run racing. Starting with a west to east course along the front of Plymouth Hoe, the cross swings out of Plymouth Sound to Looe. Whitesand Bay on the first leg to d the After jigging round St. Georges Islan man second leg keeps out to sea for Dod and Point, thence clear of Veryan Bayround Gerrans Bay to St. Anthony Head and back into Falmouth Harbour before starting for Plymouth.

Numbers Down

run In past years it has been the practice toouth the Cornish 100 from Falmouth to Plymed to and back, but this year it was decid r to cut start and finish at Plymouth in ordeIn spite ors. petit com for nce dista road the the of this a few must have shrunk fromg the alon ats erbo pow their ng task of towi were narrow West Country roads, as there cted. fewer entrants for the race than expe on the Or rather there were fewer arrivals start line that entrants expected. r Nevertheless, all the leaders in the Moto ship Boat and Yachting drivers’ champion for the were included in the nineteen starters series. ship pion cham the in fifth the race, Frank From the outset it was clear thatpick up to g failin of er dang in Jutton was time. maximum points in a race for the firstals for Because there were only two arrivClass B Class A Frank was forced to race in There against more powerful competition.together was a chance that Keith Horseman d win with navigator “Beau” Grimley coul n at Class E and draw equal with Frank Jutto the head of the championship table. with Saturday’s scrutineering passed ise of little other incident than the sad dem brand Tommy Sopwith’s ‘Tomahawk’. Aat high new Radice propeller snapped in two bottom speed and a blade shot up through thezip-strut of the boat. It seems that the racy ahawk’. is giving some problems on ‘Tom th of There appears to be a considerable leng whip at prop shaft which I suspect begins to I hear ever, How ng. turni of ad inste speed acket that Maurice Hardy is designing a P-br solve for ‘Tomahawk’ and perhaps it will that particular problem. tes The Cornish 100 started a few minu a 60 raceboatinternational late and it soon became apparent that

Fuel stoppage cost ‘Wicked Lady

Report by Peter Feversham, pictures by Eric estants. rough ride lay ahead for the contcomfort in hing watc , dent spon corre Your saw the from Capt. Bastard’s ‘Sheiloan’, parative racing boats rocket from the coman ugly serenity of Plymouth Sound into The sea chopping head sea off Rame Point. roughest off this first headland provided the was the conditions of the race. Ian Driver ‘Snarlin first out of Plymouth Sound in to be Marlin’, but he soon throttled back ‘Wicked in y Hard rice Mau by taken over d’ and Lady’, Mike Headford in ‘Bewitche nying mpa Acco . Cat’ ‘Fat in enn Lady Aitk his class the race offshore was Ron Watts in to take I boat ‘Giovanna’, which seemed e Point. a considerable pounding off Ram capable ‘Wicked Lady’ looked a highly

Cotham

‘Fat rough weather boat. Lady Aitken’s . It was Cat’ led from Rame Point to Looe such a gratifying to see this boat having splendid race at long last. ce Even more gratifying was the performan ’. Lady ked ‘Wic y’s Hard rice Mau by put up designed This Volvo inboard engined boat is ‘Lean by Don Shead and was evolved from ess at II’, which Don raced with some succ much Paris last year. Maurice Hardy led for won but of the Cornish 100 and should have ‘Wicked for the fact that the fuel cock aboard when Lady’ vibrated shut. Consequently, usted the first 20 gallon fuel tank was exha did not the switch through to a second tank h was whic lost, were tes minu five and occur gh just enough to allow ‘Bewitched’ throu

takes place around relatively short courses, the Cornish 100 took us from Plymouth to Falmouth and back, so accurate navigation was important as well as sturdy boats and valiant crew.” We are curious to know how many competitors from the 1967 race are still with us, but Ray, who is now 85, still remembers the Cornish 100 as if it were yesterday.

1985 LACONGHA HOTEL/ KEY WEST WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS Overall Results

(Mercury powered 1. M. Headforth/M. Stone ing (Volvo powered Kelvins); 2. M. Hardy/J. Flem (Johnson powered Souter): 3. J. Beard/S. Henson Hoare (Mercury n/R. Aitke Lady 4. field): Merry 5. J. Lusted/W. Webb powered Merryfield): E. Daley/R. Bulman (Mercury powered Kelvins): 6. 7. T. Howells/A. Rous (Mercury powered Kenvins): R. Stapley/J. Brumby (Mercury powered Blu-Fib): 8. 9. K. Horseman/A. (Mercury powered Tremlett): 10. G. Merryfield): Grimley (Mercury powered Union Dynamic). Wood/M. Morris (Volvo powered

‘Motor Boat and Yachting’ e Driver’s Championship to Dat powered Kelvins). 32 points. F. Jutton (Mercury powered Merryfield). 29 points. J. Beard (Mercury Kelvins). 28 points. E. Daley (Mercury powered red Merryfield). 20 K. Horseman (Mercury powe powered Tremlett). points. R. Stapley (Mercury Driver Marine). 18 I. Driver (Mercury powered red Tremless). T. points. L. Warner (Mercury powe in). 14 points. M. Howells (Mercury powered Blu-F s). J. Williamson Headford (Mercury powered Kelvin F. Shaw (Mercury (Mercury powered Tremlett). powered Tremlett).

Leading Navigators s, A. Grimley; 20 32 points, E. Freeman; 28 point by; 14 points, M. points, B. Hendicott and J. Brum points, R. Bulman Stone; 13 points, R. Juffs; 10 er and J. Irving. and S. Henson; 9 points, G. Clym

victory in Cornish 100 race ronted into first place. A tragedy which confw as he your correspondent with much sorrothe first had hoped to see this boat notch up ry. As it inboard engined championship victo upset happened the championship form wasn, who after a brave attempt by Frank Jutto Class led Class B as far as Falmouth in his rough A boat ‘Merlin’, but after another Point water patch of the course at Dodmanengine ‘Merlin’ retired to Falmouth with just did trouble. Keith Horseman’s ‘Vertigo’ n the not go as fast as usual to finish well dow r Class field but third in his class. The othe d the A boat in the race ‘Scaramouche’ founon the going too rough and failed to get up plane with cavitation trouble. n James Beard’s ‘Volare’ enjoyed a retur

red Glastron, limps Above, ‘Skeeter’, a Volvo powe red flag. She retired back to plymouth displaying a Ramseyer is the after suffering a split hull. N.G. iver. driver and L.S. Norman the co-dr ‘Bewitched’ hard on Left, our lead picture shows , almost completely the heels of another competitor re taken off Rame hidden by a cloud of spray. Pictu tched’, driven by Point soon after the start. ‘Bewi overall and Class Mike Headford, was the eventual E winner.

looks as to form by finishing third overall. It teething the out sort to aged man has s if Jame . R. trouble of his Johnson G.T. outboard split Stapley’s ‘Pa Rug’ endured a two foot h second in her planking near Falmuth to finis starters in Class C. Twelve of the nineteen completed the course.

ship There are three more champions of serie the plete com to run be to races petitor’s eight, but remember only a com Unless ts. poin for t coun will ts resul best six rough or future race conditions prove to be in Class ‘Merlin’is forced to continue racing be this B, it looks as if Frank Jutton will year ’s champion driver.

same stable as the Kelvins Sorcerer’, from the powered by twin winner ‘Bewitched’ and also ll and 1st in Class B. Mercuries, finished 6th overa Ray Bulman the coTed Daley is her driver and driver.

raceboatinternational 61

YESTERYEAR

1955

62 raceboatinternational

Two records smashed

60 years ago on Ullswater

on 23 July, 1955, Donald Campbell achieved two historic milestones on Ullswater. He set a new World Water Speed Record (WWSR) and broke the 200mph barrier on water.

Here began a long record breaking relationship with his jet boat Bluebird K7, the world’s first all metal jet-powered hydroplane, originally powered by a Metropolitan-Vickers Beryl jet engine! K7 went on to help Campbell set seven world water-speed records between 1955 and 1964. The very first of which he broke on a summer’s day on Ullswater more than half a century ago, achieving a speed of 202.32 mph (325.60 km/h). Why did Donald choose Ullswater? Perhaps like many he regarded the lake as the most beautiful of the English lakes, and certainly as the area’s second largest, at nearly 9 miles long, ¾ of a mile wide and up to 200ft deep it more than served his purposes. To find out more about Campbell you can visit The Lakeland Motor Museum, Newby Bridge, and visit their exhibit, which pays tribute to both father and son, Sir Malcolm and Donald Campbell, who between them captured 21 world land and water speed records in the Bluebird series of cars and boats. Highlights on display include full size detailed replicas of the 1935 Blue Bird car, the 1939 boat – Blue Bird K4, and the famous jet hydroplane - Bluebird K7 in its 1967 form. Donald Campbell was tragically killed on Coniston Water in January 1967, whilst attempting to break his own water speed record. His body wasn’t recovered until 2001 and is now buried in the Parish Cemetery, Hawkshead Old Road, Coniston. During a visit to Coniston you must visit the Ruskin Museum, which contains a wealth of information about Campbell’s connection to the village, and his achievements. The Museum will also become the permanent home to K7, Campbell’s boat, which was recovered from Coniston Water and is currently the subject of a painstaking restoration project.

Donald Campbell’s K7 on its way to another promotional show before the crash

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