The Bristol 50 Event A 50th anniversary is always a milestone to be celebrated, and this anniversary probably deserved the celebration more than many. The first race in Bristol Docks was on the 5th March 1972; a trial race to prove to Bristol City Council that such an event could be held safely. This was followed by the first international race on July 8th and 9th.
Bill Seebold with the Duke of York Trophy (Charlie Sheppard in background), 1981
This was the beginning of what was to become the most iconic race on the international circuit powerboat calendar; often compared to the Formula One Monaco Grand prix, the narrow, twisting course with its high granite walls, tested both driving skill and boat set up.
Bill, along with 76 other ex-drivers and guests, attended the Bristol 50 event, organised by The Fast On Water Charity, which took place on 11th June. The Guest of Honour for the day was Charlie Sheppard’s daughter, Penny, who played a major part in helping her father organise the races. As always, when a group of powerboat racers get together, memories and stories flow as swiftly as the alcohol. And what memories there are of those great races in Bristol, with the stand-out year being 1982. That was the year when Bristol was the only event on the calendar that had both the OMC V8 powered formula One boats and the 2 litre Grand Prix boats. The Seebold Team and Mercury decided to compete in both the 2-litre class and the over 2 litre class, which was made up of boats using the mighty OMC V8. By achieving a seven-and-a-half-minute powerhead change, fitting a powerhead that was 2001cc; just enough to allow him to compete against V8s, Bill completed a gruelling 96 laps over that weekend and won both the Duke of York Trophy and the Embassy Challenge Cup.
Formula lll start line Bristol 1973
The top powerboat racers from all over the world would come to Bristol every June to take on the challenge that was the Embassy Grand Prix. One driver in particular made Bristol his own. Bill Seebold won the coveted Duke of York Trophy no fewer than six times and became the ‘darling of Bristol’ to the spectators that turned up in their tens of thousands to watch the spectacle of tunnel hull boats reaching speeds in excess of 100 mph racing around the confines of the City Docks.
The day commenced with a trip around the harbour aboard the Tower Belle. For many, like Phil Wassall, the first time they had been on the water in Bristol since they last raced there. Those attending the event covered all of the 19 years the races took place. Brian Kendall, who took part in the trial race in the 15
