Bristol 50 Review

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 .

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.

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.

Bill Seebold with the Duke of York Trophy (Charlie Sheppard in background), 1981

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.

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

docks; Tony Williams (who raced in every event held in Bristol); Andrew Pugh, who raced in the first event, and Jack Wilson, whose Cosworth powered Hodges reverberated between those granite dock walls. Jason Mantripp picked up his microphone while on board and interviewed Bill and Tim Seebold. Bill was keen to show Tim what the race course was like and the strategies he used to be so successful in Bristol.

The ex-monohull drivers who attended reminisced over the trials and tribulations of surviving the rough water of the docks. Adrian Morse, Malcolm Cox, Anne Walder, Will Chambers, Bill Owen, Phil Lagden and of course, Richard Wood, the last winner of the City of Bristol Cup.

Following the harbour tour, everyone decamped to the MV Balmoral for a welcome drink and reception. At this point the one and only Robin Hurst, MC for the event, took over the microphone. Robin was the Cumberland Basin end commentator in Bristol, while Murray Walker did his thing at the Pits end.

Powerboat racing generations were represented not only by Bill and Tim but also by Celia Alcock, wife of the late, great Rupert Alcock and mother to Denise; James, Mark and Lee Peverelle – sons of racer and boat builder Jim Peverelle; Andy and Kevin Bullen –sons of Alf Bullen; Adrian Morse – Son of Geoff and brother of Owen.

Besides Bill and Tim, Kathy Hauenstein, wife of the late Jim Hauesntein, Arcadian Racing’s Team owner, travelled from California; Morten Bjerknaes flew in from Norway and Ronald den Hartog from Holland. Sadly, Wiepe Torenvliet, Jan de Vreng and Martin Molenaar had their flights cancelled at the last minute. The commemorative dinner setting was completed by Jon Jones’ loan of one of his Dragon F1 boats, stickered up with the Bristol 50 logo and in tribute to Andy Elliott. Dinner was served, followed by Robin introducing Ken McCrorie, who gave a very moving tribute to his best friend, Andy Elliott, which was followed by a short video on Andy.

The raffle was a great success; one of the prizes, organised by Jason, being a large, mounted print signed by all the drivers present who had raced Bristol. Jason also brought along a model, made by Jamie Tenant, of Bill Seebold’s 1987 Budweiser rig, which Bill happily signed.

Roy, in memory of Roger Jenkins, presented Roger’s son, Dean, with one of the limitededition framed prints of his dad, racing the Carlsberg Burgess F1 in 1982.

Penny Sheppard was invited to say a few words about her father, Charlie, and the part he played in preserving the City Docks for future generations. Roy, on behalf of Fast On Water, presented Penny with a commemorative award and a bouquet of flowers, and also an award to Jason Mantripp for his dedication in helping to preserve the history of circuit powerboat racing.

A big thank you to all the staff at the Bristol Hotel; The Bristol Packet and the MV Balmoral, who all helped in keeping the day running smoothly. Also, a big thank you to all

Photo Lee Prewer

who attended, and a special shout out to Ryan and Lee Prewer, who were brave enough to take on the responsibility of filming and photographing the event, and Elaine Gowing for her fantastic ability to sell raffle tickets.

The weather gods were kind to us and a great time was had by all.

Bill Seebold and Jack Wilson. Photo Fred Emeny