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CIRCUIT POWERBOAT ASSOCIATION

The CPA is the recognised authority for Circuit Powerboat Racing in Great Britain by the National Governing Body the British Power Boat Association (BPBA) as recognised by the UIM the international governing body for Powerboat Racing. The CPA was formed at the end of 2018 when the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) ended its role as the National Authority for Powerboat Racing.

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INSIDE F1H2O

• What is F1H2O?
• The Championship
• The Grand Prix
• Rescue&Safety

The UIM F1H2O World Championship is the 'flagship' international series of single-seater inshore circuit powerboat racing.

Highly competitive, intensely challenging, risky and entertaining, the F1H2O World Championship is the ultimate adrenalin rush and regarded as one of the most spectacular and exciting sports in the world.

The series attracts up to 20 of the world's leading drivers and is a sport that has to be seen to be believed as these diminutive tunnel-hull catamarans enter hairpin turns at over 90mph and top 140mph on the straights.

Picture the scene; 18 to 20 sleek, powerful and lightweight catamarans lining up on the start pontoon. Inside each cockpit sits a lone individual peering through a tiny windscreen. One hand grasps the steering wheel, the other poised over the start button. The tension inside the cockpit is intense as the drivers wait for the crucial start. Beyond the cockpit, an eerie silence descends over the entire arena, all attention fixed on the start.

No sooner does the wait end when 10,000hp of highly tuned brute power bursts into life sending the fleet screaming towards the first corner leaving nothing but a glorious fountain of white spray in its wake.

However, with the thrilling high-speed action comes the risk of ruin as drivers endure brain-numbing G-Forces - their rigs taking hairpin turns at over 90mph while they dice deck-to-deck in often zero-visibility.

Now in its 36th year the four decades of the World Championship have witnessed considerable change and evolution; the seventies and eighties saw multiple promoters and two giant corporations of the sport OMC and Mercury vying for supremacy to be the pinnacle of the sport.

OMC were touting their 3.5litre V8 package that became known as the OZ class, Mercury pushing their 2.0litre engine and called the ON class, the disparity in power would soon lead to bitter wrangling and infighting amongst competitors.

The split came in 1981, FONDA was formed running the ON class engine with the OMC backed PRO ONE run series running the OZ class engine, both rival championships claiming the right to use the title World Championship, a dispute settled by the sport's governing body the UIM later that year awarding the OZ class the accolade.

1984 saw the beginning of yet another twist as safety became a major concern with engine development and increasing power of the V8s taking its tragic toll and signaled the slow demise of the OZ class internationally, ending in 1986.

The door was now opening for the existing FONDA World Grand Prix series to reinvent itself. From 1987 to 1989 there was no official UIM World Championship, and with no challenger, the UIM reinstated the World Championship status and in 1990 the FONDA World Grand Prix Series became the UIM F1H2O World Championship, Mercury's 2.0litre engine the preferred power-plant of the time, the Mercury 2.5litre engine coming in in 2000 and used today.

In 1993 the UIM appointed Nicolo di San Germano as Promoter; his ongoing 30 year tenure has brought stability, a new direction, improved safety and an ever broadening geographic footprint encompassing Europe, the Americas, the Middle East and Asia and with this expansion a growing commercial value.

Over the last 38 years the sport has played out 295 Grand Prix in 33 countries across five continents, 15 drivers have captured the World title, 48 becoming members of the illustrious Grand Prix winners club.

Of the 15 World Champions 8 are multiple title winners; Italy's Guido Cappellini is the most decorated winning 10, Italy's Alex Carella and American Scott Gillman with four, France's Philippe Chiappe, Italian Renato Molinari and American Shaun Torrente with three each, Finland's Sami Selio and Britain's Jonathan Jones with two apiece.

While today's F1H2O catamarans bear a striking resemblance to those in action throughout the 1980's there is a world of difference in terms of driver protection and general safety.

The early boats were constructed from thin plywood with drivers sitting in an open, exposed cockpit with the risk of injury a high probability in the case of an accident.

With safety at the forefront of boat development, British designer and racer Chris Hodges set about improving the situation and constructed a safety cell that was produced from an immensely strong composite material.

Instead of the cockpit being part of the main structure Hodges' capsule was separate and was fitted to the hulls and centre section.

For the first time drivers were actually strapped into their seats. The idea was that if a boat was involved in an accident, the timber hulls could break up and absorb the impact forces while the driver remained well protected inside his cell.

The new device proved itself on several occasions and the U.I.M. called for it to become compulsory, and in the early 1990's Burgess introduced canopies that made cockpits fully enclosed.

In the late 1990's further developments saw the introduction of an airbag in the cockpit that would inflate in a crash to ensure the capsule wouldn't sink before rescue crews could attend.

Over the years boat construction has been developed and today few if any are built of timber, now replaced by modern composites.

In 2023 ten teams and 20 drivers from 12 countries will compete at Grand Prix in Europe, Middle East and Asia for the coveted World title, the prestigious number 1 plate will be carried by the defending World Champion Shaun Torrente driving for Abu Dhabi team.

The Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM) is the world governing body for all Powerboating activities. It is fully recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and is a member of the Association of the IOC Recognized International Sports Federations (ARISF) and of SportAccord for whom the UIM President serves as President and Board member. The UIM has almost 60 affiliated National Federations. Circuit, Offshore, Pleasure Navigation and Aquabike are among the main disciplines. The UIM has signed a Cooperation Agreement with the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) to further its range of environmental initiatives and to share expertise.

President: Dr. Raffaele Chiulli General Secretary: Thomas Kurth

Idea Marketing is the sole and exclusive worldwide promoter of the UIM F1H2O World Championship, the UIM-ABP Aquabike World and Continental Championships and the UIM H2O Nations Cup World Series.

The company is the worldwide television and commercial rights holder for all Championships and responsible for all commercial, marketing, television, media and organisational activities.

Founder: Nicolo di San Germano Vice President: Lavinia Cavallero

h2oracing.net f1h2o.com aquabike.net

The F1H2O World Championship is the leading formula in single-seater inshore circuit powerboat racing and was sanctioned by the UIM in 1981.

It is a multiple Grand Prix series of eight events taking place in Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

Points allocated at each Grand Prix count towards the overall World Championship standings.

In addition to the World Championship, points are also allocated for the BRM Pole Position and Team Championships and the Fast Lap Trophy.

A three-tiered qualifying session is run over 60 minutes, the multiple lap Grand Prix run over a minimum 45 minutes, not to exceed 60 minutes.

In 2023 ten teams, 20 drivers from 12 countries plus technicians and support staff will compete for the coveted World title.

DAY 1 Documentation and registration Technical scrutineering Drivers' briefing (compulsory for all team managers, drivers and radiomen of each boat) Free practice Boats and racing equipment (including racing gear of the driver) must be in the pits 24 hours before starting the technical scrutineering

DAY 2 Drivers' briefing (compulsory for all team managers, drivers and radiomen of each boat) Free practice Official Qualifying Podium presentation

Pole position and starting line-ups are determined by a three-tiered qualifying session, Q1, Q2 and Q3 preceding each Grand Prix race. Stateof-the-art timing equipment records the performances of each boat to decide the final classification and starting positions.

Q1 : A twenty-minute session with all boats entitled to run multiple laps at any time during the session, with the 12 fastest progressing into Q2. The times set by those that didn't qualify for Q2 denote their starting positions.

Q2 : After a seven-minute break, the times will be reset and the remaining 12 boats will then run a fifteen-minute session - again they may complete as many laps as they want at any time during that period. At the end of the session the six fastest boats will progress into Q3. The times set by those that didn't qualify for Q3 denote their starting positions.

Q3 : The times are reset and the top six boats from Q2 will run all together for 10 minutes and the arrival order at the finish line will decide their start positions.

If a driver is deemed by the officials to have stopped unnecessarily on the circuit or impeded another driver during qualifying, his times may be cancelled

No refuelling allowed during timed trial.

Every race circuit is different in size, but are generally about 2000 meters in distance. Each circuit has at least one long straightaway and several tight turns, mostly left with one or two right turns.

The turns produce a G-force of up to 4.5 on the driver, which means his weight is multiplied 4.5 times as he makes a tight U-turn at over 100 mph.

Water is a constantly changing unstable unpredictable surface and conditions play a major part in the outcome of each Grand Prix.

With water current and wind conditions varying on every lap and spray being continually showered over the tiny console screen, drivers are quite often driving 'blind' at full speed, mere inches away from their rivals.

In the event of a 'barrel-roll' (capsize), a mandatory air bag installed above the pilot's head will inflate upon contact with water. This enables the cockpit to remain above water until rescue arrives.

All drivers have a self-contained air supply fitted inside the capsule as an added safety features.

LIGHT SIGNALS Each entry must have the electronic time-keeping device and lighting equipment. Compliance is required for scrutineering clearance. Lights signals are used in accordance with these rules to designate specific times or to give instructions to pilots.

Lights and their purposes are as follows:

YELLOW : Reduce speed to 3000 rpm maximum - extreme caution on race course - hold current position - no overtaking - follow pace boat

RED : Race stopped, slow down instantly and return to the start dock, identical to actual black flag.

WHITE AND BLUE caution FLAG : Rescue boats must be given the right of way. A complaint from rescue personnel will be penalised.

Boats that have broken down and pulled to the infield or off the racecourse will be towed to the trailer or the start dock only during a "race stop" condition and if pick-up boats are available.

During the time trials and the race, one crewmember should always remain at signalling area and maintain radio contact with his driver during free practice, timed trials and race.

Each team consists of a manager, two drivers, mechanics, radio coordinator, technical coordinator and equipped with infrastructure such as trailer workshop and welcome marquee.

They should have two catamarans fitted with a 2.5 litre engine and compete at 8 to 10 Grand Prix events in a season.

Imagine this: up to 20 lightweight, 17-foot carbon fibre catamarans hurtling around a racing circuit at speeds topping 220km/h (130mph); all boats are powered by highly tuned V6 outboard engines, each pumping out 400HP at close to 10.000 rpm; they boast an awesome power to weight ratio and weigh in at around 500 kilos.

HULL : Twin sponson, tunnel-hull catamaran

MANUFACTURERS : BABA, Blaze, DAC, GTR, Molgaard, Moore, Victory

HULL MATERIALS : Carbon fibre, Kevlar, synthetic fibre, airex & nomex

LENGTH : 5.10 metres (min)

WIDTH : 2.1 metres (min)

WEIGHT : 550 kg (including residual fuel and oil), the driver with personal equipment, but excluding loose water, circa 380 kilos (not including driver or engine)

FUEL TANK : Carbon constuction, built to accomodate circa 120 litres

ENGINE : Mercury or equivalent outboard engine 6 cylinders 2-stroke

ENGINE CAPACITY : 2.5 litre up to maximum 3 litre

STEERING : Cable with electronic power assist, ratio open to driver preference

GEARBOX : Fixed ratio direct drive

PROPELLERS : As gearbox is fixed ratio, various diameter and pitch from 10.5 by 16 inch upwards (dependant on length of circuit). Forged stainless steel alloy CNC machined

HORSE POWER : circa 400 HP @ 10,000 rpm

TOP SPEED : Over 220 km/h (136 mph)

ACCELERATION : 0-100 km/h (60mph) in circa 3 seconds

BOAT CONTROLS : Hydraulic ram systems controlling engine angle and height operated by a series of switches on steering wheel, dash and foot rest. Foot throttle controlling engine power delivery

SAFETY FEATURES : Cockpit built in composite materials, crash boxes built with energy absorbent foam. HANS head and neck support, airbag, polycarbonate nine millimeter screen and deformable frontal areas to stop penetration in event of accident. Life support system, air bottle and demand valve with helmet attachment used if boat capsizes and driver unable to exit cockpit prior to arrival of rescue boat and team. Inside cockpit the driver is strapped into a carbon hybrid moulded seat with 5 point harness and detachable steering wheel for easy entry and exit. Cockpit canpy latched into closed position for maximum protection against water pressure

The Osprey Powerboat Rescue Team provide rescue services for many powerboat racing events and has a fleet of 6 specialist drop front ambulance boats, 2 of these boats are permanently assigned to providing rescue services to the UIM F1H2O World Championship.

Each boat is manned by four fully trained individuals 2 qualified rescue divers in full kit; 1 qualified helmsman; 1 radio/communications operative; Every member of the crew holds a current Basic Life Support Certificate. Every member of the crew wears a wetsuit as maximum flexibility is required.

Carried on board each boat are the following 2 sets of self-contained breathing apparatus; 1 stabilisation frame in the event of a race boat being upside down; 1 Lift bag to prevent a race boat sinking in the event of extensive damage; 1 fire extinguisher; 1 spine board and stabilisation blocks; 1 oxygen set; 1 radio for communications with the shore based medical team and officials; 1 comprehensive medical kit that contains specialist resuscitation and trauma equipment, details below:

To control catastrophic haemorrhage - CAT tourniquet - ‘Quick Clot’ ACS sponge - 6” Haemorrhage control bandage

To control airway with c-spine control - Suction – hand held with spare spout - Nasopharyngeal airways - size 24 (child) & 28 (adult) -Gels size 4 adult (50-90Kg) size 3 (30-60Kg) - gel sachet on each

To control breathing - Non-rebreather oxygen mask x2 - Ambu-bag, connector & Facemask

To control circulation - Cannula x2, tape, IV giving set, IV fluids – Saline 1000, Gelofusin 500 - Protection and General Kit: gloves, field dressing packs x2, tuff-scissors, stethoscope, saline eyewash, foil blanket, triangular bandage, safety pins, light bandages x2

At each event the team brings A training rig to train and test drivers in escaping from an upturned cockpit. An air compressor to fill diving air cylinders and drivers’ emergency air cylinders carried on the race boats. Generators to provide power A Global Positioning System to ensure the course is laid correctly and to specification.

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

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

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

Powerboat Racing World

Frode Sundsdal

What is prw.

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

This week we have seen the publication of two equally important circuit racing calendars from two championships that have shown that we have a lot to look forward to this year.

First away from the grid was the one from RaceWKND (Please see Finland Racing into 2022). Then two hours later the Circuit Powerboat Association (CPA) published their 2022 British Championship calendar consisting of three rounds along with the British Sprint Championship event.

This championship has classes for GT15, GT30, OSY400, GT Mono Lite (T850-VP13), Formula GP Lite (F4) and Formula GP (F2).

Although we have seen him on the international racing scene competing in the UIM F2 World Championships Colin Jelf said that he was tempted to ‘blow the cobwebs away’ and perhaps compete at a championship round or two, though the teams primary focus in Formula GP would still be on Ian Blacker.

They also mentioned that Ben Jelf might even be making a comeback but that’s still to be confirmed.

CPA 2022 British Championship

28/29 May – Carr Mill Dam – Lancashire Powerboat Racing Club

23/24 July – Oulton Broad – Lowestoft & Oulton Broad Motor Boat Club

17/18 September – Stewartby Lake – Stewartby Powerboat & Hydroplane Racing Club

CPA 2022 British Sprint Championship

13/14 August – Stewartby Lake – Stewartby Powerboat & Hydroplane Racing Club

Powerboat Racing World will be bringing you updates and race coverage throughout the 2022 championship and we wish those competing a safe and successful season.

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© 2024 Powerboat Racing World.

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Powerboat Racing: Werner prevails after Jones the boat becomes unplugged: German controls restarted Formula One battle as Welsh favourite fails in first grand prix in Britain for three years

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IMAGINE Formula One cars racing over corrugated iron, doing the occasional backward somersault. This was the scene here yesterday as grand prix powerboat racing returned to Britain after an absence of three years.

The boats are designed like low-flying aircraft. They run on aviation fuel and the drivers experience the same g-forces as jet pilots. The secret is to keep the last inch or two of the boat in the water. More and you slow, less and you flip up and over and it all goes dark.

Unlike cars and planes, these powerboats can only turn left. They race around two buoys a mile apart. Each lap takes only 30 seconds and the race is over in 45 minutes, but the lead regularly changes hands.

More than 40,000 watched the weekend's racing at the city's docks. However, inshore powerboat racing tends to be overshadowed by the offshore version, in which 40ft monsters ride the open seas.

The offshore circuit is renowned for its wealthy backers and lavish social life. The inshore set-up is more modest, and lack of sponsorship has prevented Britain hosting an inshore grand prix since the Bristol docks event in 1990. The developers of Cardiff Bay needed only pounds 80,000 to stage this race.

An offshore power boat retails at around pounds 500,000, 10 times more than those on show yesterday, which travel much faster. The top speeds across the dock were in excess of 130mph, and there was no real sympathy with the idea of slowing down for corners.

The area around the buoys soon became the scene of much 'barrow-rolling' as drivers turned into the wash of other boats.

As they spun off, corkscrewing sideways, it all seemed part of the fun, but this remains a dangerous sport. John Hill, Britain's former world champion, was killed in the Formula One race at Abu Dhabi three months ago.

Another former world champion, Jonathan Jones, was the centre of attention yesterday. Once the Formula Three and Formula Four preliminaries were over, the Welshman shot up the grand prix field of 15 catamarans from the start.

On this occasion, though, the local favourite failed to deliver. A spark plug blew and Jones, 36, from Cardiganshire, spluttered into the pits. He said: 'I'd rather have won this race than the world championship. It's 12 months of preparation ruined.'

With Jones out of the running, proceedings were becoming processional, until a Swedish driver, Goran Carlof, barrow-rolled with such aplomb that he broke his boat in half, and the race was temporarily halted.

After a crane had winched the various remains ashore, the 47-year-old German, Michael Werner, took the lead from the restart.

Steve Kerton, from Wiltshire, was losing ground in second place when he also had to retire, but Marc Rolls, from Birmingham, gave the crowd something to cheer by finishing runner-up to Werner. Rolls is a typical powerboat enthusiast facing the characteristic problems of a minor sportsman nobody wants to sponsor.

A 30-year-old local authority employee from Birmingham, Rolls has no financial backers and little hope. 'This result was brilliant,' he said, 'but the fact remains that there's no money in inshore racing.'

The feeling in the pits was that what was needed was a marketing expert who can take the sport by the scruff of the neck.

Inshore powerboat racing is undoubtedly a spectator sport waiting to happen yet, strangely, the money men would rather watch the offshore boats steam off into the distance.

UIM FORMULA ONE SERIES: BRITISH GRAND PRIX (Cardiff): 1 M Werner (Ger) 54min 56:35sec; 2 M Rolls (GB) 55.08:65; 3 G Cappelini (It) 55.28:59; 4 T Ishikawa (Japan) 55.05:91; 5 P Brolin (Swe) 55.27:88; 6 T Eriksson (Swe) 55.18:32; 7 P Eriksson (Swe) 55.03:21; 8 M Zamparelli (It) 55.25:62; 9 D Stallard (GB) 55.34:47; 10 A Elliot (GB) 55.14:42; 11 S Pichet (NZ) 55.19:31. Non-finishers: S Kerton (GB), G Karlof (Swe), J Jones (GB), S Noawart (Thai).

Alan Webb, 64, from Oxford, won the two-day Hull Gold Cup event on the River Humber yesterday. Webb's closest rival, David Allenby, from Chandlers Ford in Hampshire, led the field after Saturday's race, but had to correct an on-course error yesterday, costing him precious time and the Cup. Almost half the field failed to finish.

UK OFFSHORE BOATING ASSOCIATION CHAMPIONSHIP Third round: HUMBER GRAND PRIX (River Humber): Hull Gold Cup: A Webb (Oxford) Flippin' Shy Talk (Flipper / Yamaha). Class winners: Class II: 1 D Allenby (Chandlers Ford) Assagai (Hicks / Mercury). 2-litre: T Jenvey (Beaulieu) Swiftwood (Midas / Mercury). 1.3-litre: G Grayson (Swansea) Newavon (Phantom / Suzuki).

(Photograph omitted)

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Formula 1 powerboat racing returns to the Royal Docks

The British leg of the flagship series of single-seat inshore circuit Formula 1 powerboat racing will be held at East London’s historic Royal Victoria Dock on June 15-17.

The spectacular event will offer spectators an opportunity to watch the lightweight, tunnel-hull catamaran powerboats battling each other into turns at over 90mph and hitting speeds of up to 140mph on the straights.

On Friday, June 15 the F1H2O powerboats will have a free practice session. On Saturday 16 June qualifying will see the 10 F1H2O teams battling the clock and vying for pole position. While on Sunday 17 June in the afternoon racing will get underway following an hour’s free practice session and a parade lap.

As well as watching 10 teams battle for the F1H2O Grand Prix of London title; spectators will also be treated to nine teams competing in the Formula 4-S class, in which the sport’s up-and-coming drivers learn to hone their skills. While Formula 4-S powerboats have less powerful engines (60bhp) than those in F1H2O, they still manage to reach speeds of over 70mph. There will also be demonstrations over the course of the weekend from historical powerboats; jet skis; a 14-metre, five-tonne, V12 Class 1 offshore powerboat, which will hit a straight-line speed of up to 100mph; and junior, entry-level powerboats piloted by the next generation of British talent.

General tickets and VIP tickets (which include a range of hospitality packages) are available for the UIM F1H2O World Championship Grand Prix of London. For further information please visit  www.f1h2o.co.uk .

photo credit: Getty Images/Chris Lee

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Me and My Motor: Marit Stromoy, F1H2O powerboat racer

“It’s crazy fast, like piloting a fighter jet”

THE HIGH-OCTANE sport of powerboat racing will return to London’s Royal Victoria Dock next month for the first time in more than 30 years. The British leg of the Formula 1 powerboat world championship — known as the F1H2O championship — will feature lightweight boats that skim the surface at 140mph, with one driven by the only woman to win a top-flight race.

Marit Stromoy is a part-time singer who pulls on a racing helmet and fire suit at the weekends to compete in a400-horsepower 500kg boat.

“It’s crazy fast, like piloting a fighter jet,” says Stromoy, 41. “In London we will make hairpin turns at 90mph. The drivers have to make split-second decisions. It is dangerous but I feel as safe in my boat as I do in my car.”

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She first competed in Formula 1 in 2007 and four years later became the first woman to earn a pole position. In 2015 she became the first woman to win a grand prix race.

Stromoy grew up in Sandefjord, 90 minutes south of Oslo. Her father, Leif, was also an inshore powerboat racer and first took her for a ride when she was seven years old. “The boats were made of flimsy plywood and very small. Dad removed some cockpit equipment and squeezed me in behind him. I was hooked. On one side of my bedroom wall I had posters of Madonna — on the other, famous speedboat racers.”

She passed her driving test at the first attempt two weeks after her 18th birthday (the legal driving age in Norway) and made an unlikely choice for her first car. The ancient Autobianchi A112 was loosely based on the Fiat 128.

“We fitted a towbar and painted it the same colours as my race boat,” Stromoy recalls. “It looked very retro and cool but that car was painfully slow. The brakes were also terrible — which made life interesting when I had a trailer-load of boat on the back.”

After that came an Opel Kadett (branded Vauxhall Astra for the UK market). Stromoy loved the extra speed and comfort, but her most vivid memory of the car is hitting an elk, which caused substantial damage.

She began her powerboating career in Formula 2 in 1999, racing a 200bhp boat. She was good enough to win a sponsorship deal with Nissan, which provided a new X-Trail SUV. “I really thought I had arrived.”

Stromoy followed that with a Mercedes SLK convertible, which she describes as “the coolest car I have ever owned”. She now drives a “super comfortable” Subaru XV.

Her father died in 2009, the year she met Andrea Colombo, an Italian race engineer and her future husband. “Dad was my absolute idol. Andrea and I now work together and he motivates me 100% every day.”

Her latest boat cost £130,000 and is built of composites. The strains put on the engine during a race mean the pistons and crankshaft have to be replaced after every two hours of use.

“Racing is expensive, so I need my sponsors and a second job as a singer. It’s an escape and gives me a chance to dress up and swap my racing gear for a pretty dress and a pair of high heels.”

Marit Stromoy: my life in cars

• 1994  Autobianchi A112
• 1996  Opel Kadett
• 2000  Nissan X-Trail
• 2005  Mercedes SLK
• 2014  Subaru Levorg
• 2017  Subaru XV
• My dream car  Porsche Cayenne

The UIM F1H2O World Championship Grand Prix of London runs from June 15-17.  F1H2O.co.uk

• Marit Stromoy

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Powerboat Racing makes waves in London thanks to Gloucestershire business

By Andrew Merrell | 18th June 2018

Thousands lined the Royal Victoria dockside over the weekend (15-17 June) to watch the world's top powerboat drivers compete for the UIM F1H2O World Championship Grand Prix of London.

"For many spectators it was the first time they have seen, up close, these amazing drivers and their boats practically flying over the water.

"Securing the return of top class powerboat racing to the capital was a real coup for BRM Europe Ltd.

"I hope the Grand Prix of London will be a catalyst for the return of powerboat racing to other inshore locations across the country. We're working hard to achieve this and have now proved how successful and popular events like this can be."

The 2018 UIM F1H2O World Championship Grand Prix of London was organised by Championship Promoter H2O Racing in close collaboration with Chinese Sports Promotion company Tian Rong Sports and broadcast live around the world.

Nicolo di San Germano, president of H2O Racing, the promoter of the UIM F1H2O World Championship, said: "The racing in Royal Victoria Dock was breathtaking. The straight circuit with tight turns at either end tested the most experienced of our drivers. We will definitely be back to London "

Dr. Raffaele Chiulli, president of UIM, powerboat racing's world governing body, said: "We do consider the UK and London as a focal point of developing our sport and we have seen today the drivers have enjoyed the circuit, so it definitely looks like we will be back next year."

The event, which was based at the ExCeL Centre on the North Quay of the dock, saw 19 of the world's best drivers, from 12 countries, competing at over 140 mph in single-seater catamarans.

Following the hour long, hotly contested race Sweden's Erik Stark from the Maverick F1 team secured top spot on the podium. It was Stark's second career F1 victory.

Mr Stark said: "Starting in pole I felt I had the race in control. The water is very strong you have to be focused all the time, but to be racing here is wonderful. This is where we should be. The circuit is narrow but this is F1. It should be challenging, for me it was never a problem."

France's Phillipe Chiappe from CTIC F1 Sz China Team took second place with fellow Frenchman Peter Morin, claiming his first career podium spot, in third.

The Grand Prix of London was the second race of 2018's World Championship Series. Phillippe Chiappe currently leads the F1H2O World Championship with six races to go.

The teams will now head to Evian in France for the next round of the World Championship in 11 days time.

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Clear blue water., gravity media is proud to support international powerboat racing, with the f1h2o world championship probably our most notable engagement..

F1H2O is the crown jewel flagship inshore powerboat race series, and is regarded by fans as one of the most spectacular and exciting sports in the world. The lightweight single-seater catamarans can reach speeds of 140mph, and can enter hairpin turns at over 90mph. It’s competitive, challenging, risky – and hugely entertaining.

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Home / Berthon Blog / Uncategorized / Round 3 of the 2023 UKOPRA offshore powerboat racing championship is coming to Lymington

Round 3 of the 2023 UKOPRA offshore powerboat racing championship is coming to Lymington

June 28th, 2023

The Lymington Challenge, will be hosted by Berthon on July 7th and 8th. The race will start at 13:00 on Saturday 8th July and will include 7 classes, ranging from local racer Bligh Julius in a 50 hp ThunderCat to Rob Lockyer’s 47′ Team 25 Good Boy Vodka, boasting 2200 hp.

Lockyer and co-driver Scott Younger won the Round the Island race in early June, beating four-time Class One champions Drew Langdon and Miles Jennings.

The team will be looking to overcome the 75-point lead they currently hold over Langdon and Jennings in the championship.

The marina WILL NOT be open for public access. If you would like to see the boats in action, the best place to view is at Hurst Castle.

If you would like to find out more call 01590 647405 or email [email protected].

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The 3 Categories of Powerboat Racing: Offshore, Circuit, and Personal Watercraft

by Hugh Fuller | Jul 19, 2022 | Power Boat

Powerboat racing is an exciting and complex watersport, with three main disciplines: offshore, circuit, and personal watercraft. While all three variations share the same draw of high-energy aquatic competition, they vary significantly in the types of boats they use and the format of the races. Each discipline is further broken down into different classes based on the type and size of the boat, as well as engine size. Let’s dig into what defines each of these classes and how they differ from one another. 

1. Offshore Powerboat Racing  

Offshore powerboat racing represents the sport at its most intense and competitive. This racing variation is an extreme watersport that attracts some of the most talented aquatic racers. However, there are several levels of competitive offshore powerboat racing, allowing both novices and experts to compete based on their skill level.  

Some of the most popular offshore powerboat racing competitions include: 

• P1 SuperStock – This race series is one of the most affordable and accessible powerboat racing events. Each team uses the same standardized boats and machinery, making the race an even playing field where skill decides who wins, not expensive racing components. 
• ThunderCat Racing – Known as Superlight Tunnel Boat races in the United States, these American Powerboat Association events use small, catamaran-style inflatable watercraft racing in turbulent waters. This leads to some awe-inducing acrobatic stunts, as the light boats catch air over waves and dodge near wipe-outs in pursuit of victory. 
• UIM Class 1 World Powerboat Championship – A flagship series and one of the oldest competitions in the sport, this event involves high-powered Class 1 boats racing at speeds of over 160 miles per hour. The best racer over the series of eight races is crowned world champion. 

2. Circuit Racing  

Circuit race events are typically held on inshore lakes, where powerboat racers compete in races built of small, circuit-like tracks. These high-speed races are one of the most accessible forms of the sport, with classes for amateurs and even children as young as 9 years old. 

Circuit racing can be further divided into three main subcategories: 

• Monohulls  

As the name suggests, monohulls are single-hulled watercraft with seated drivers. They are similar to ski boats. Monohulls are broken down into three classes: 

• GT15 – Boats with 3-meter monohulls and a 15hp engine, this class is for junior racers between 9 and 16 years old.  
• GT30 – Once junior racers turn 14, they can compete in the GT30 class, which features 30hp engines and has no upper age limit. 
• T850 – This class is limited to simple monohulls with standard stock 70 or 90 hp and outboard engines. 
• Catamarans  

A catamaran is a twin-hulled boat that restrains the driver within a safety pod. Tunnel-hull catamarans are designed to reach high speeds and move with agility along the water.  

Catamarans are divided into two main classes: 

• F2 – F2 boats have uniquely designed hulls that allow them to quickly make hairpin turns, all while taking on more G-forces than any other type of racing vehicle. They have a very high power-to-weight ratio and are capable of going from 0 to 60 mph in under 5 seconds. 
• F4s – The F4s class is a green alternative to the F4 class. Boats in this class have tunnel-hull catamaran designs and are smaller than F2 powerboats but are also capable of reaching high speeds and maneuvering with precision. This racing class also uses factory standard engines and prohibits any modifications, making it more affordable and competitive. 
• Hydroplanes  

Hydroplane boats have twin hulls at the front portion of the boat, which extend no more than 60 percent across the hull in a single stern. Drivers sit, kneel, or lie down in the craft. The most popular class of hydroplanes is the OSY400, which is powered by 400cc outboard engines. 

The OSY400 class is a fun, affordable, and accessible class. These small hydroplane boats use 400cc Yamato stock engines and are cheap enough to attract a wider audience, including casual racers. The boats are usually built of wood or composite materials and cost between $4,000 and $5,000, on average. 

A variety of hydroplane racers compete against each other in the UK British National Championship. Some of these crafts are capable of reaching speeds of over 100 mph. 

3. Personal Watercraft Racing  

Also known as Jet Sport Racing in the UK, personal watercraft racing has three main disciplines: 

• Circuit – This style of personal watercraft racing is run by the Jet Sport Racing Association, which hosts fast races on tight circuits. Racers can choose from three types: ski (stand-up), sport (single-seater), and runabout (sit-down). 
• Racing – The organization P1 AquaX is in charge of the racing discipline. These events involve races on the open sea, which often creates challenges in navigating rough coastal conditions. 
• Endurance racing and freestyle – The Freestyle National Tour runs the freestyle discipline, which allows racers to wow spectators with acrobatic stunts on inshore courses and the open sea. Similar to the X Games or Olympics, competitors are awarded points and the highest average scores win. 

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P1 Offshore;

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

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Eric Colby, SOTW: There’s an almost inexplicable allure about Key West. Sure, former TV announcer and pro wrestler Stan Lane coined the phrase, “To be the best, you must win Key West,” but the racers take this motto to heart. The combination of the possibility of myriad conditions on the same course and the tightest corner in the famous harbor make the Key West championship arguably the most sought-after trophy in the sport. ... Continued ...

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Eric Colby, SOTW: At the first day of competition at the 42nd annual Race World Offshore Key West World Championship presented by Performance Boat Center, the winners in virtually every class put on a superior display of dominance, setting the stage for three days of heated competition in the southernmost city in the United States. ... Continued ...

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