Powerboat GP RYA British Championship this weekend

The second round of the 2016 championship will get underway at Carr Mill Dam over the bank holiday weekend.

24 May

The second round of the RYA Powerboat GP British Championships will be taking place on Carr Mill Dam, St Helens over the Bank Holiday weekend.

Known as the Lancashire Grand Prix, the event will host five classes.

These will range from the junior categories, with racers as young as nine years old, up to the thrilling 120+ mph F2 class catamarans.

Many of the competitors will be the home-grown talent from the Lancashire Powerboat Racing Club.

For the first time this season, the racing will feature the Monohull T850 Class.

Local competitor Bill Owen will be battling it out against team mate David James, but both will be weary of the competition from Bedford’s Nigel Edwards and the rest of the fleet.

Whilst Ben Jelf took an early lead in the GT30 campaign at Lowestoft, local Bolton lad Jack Pickles put in a solid performance, battling hard with Lowestoft’s Thomas Mantripp.

Speaking ahead of the race, Pickles said: “I’m happy with how the boat handled at Lowestoft and my battle throughout the weekend with Thomas was some great experience for me, especially as Thomas knows the course at Lowestoft so well.”

He continued: “Hopefully all my testing at Carr Mill can give me a slight advantage in the forthcoming Lancashire Grand Prix and I can catch Teigen and Ben who we’re in great form earlier in the month.”

Also looking to improve on the Lowestoft Grand Prix will be Matt Palfreyman of Aughton. Problems with the fuel tank meant he was unable to compete in all three races at Lowestoft.

“I’m hoping all problems from Lowestoft are now behind me and I’m looking for a home water grand prix win like last year. It’s even better winning on home water as the crowds really behind you,” he noted.

Racing at Carr Mill Dam commences on 28 May. There will be timed practice session taking place from 10am for each class, where the drivers will be fighting for that all-important pole position.

In the afternoon, racing is set to start around 12.30pm and each class will complete at least one race. A full day of action takes place the following day from 10am.

The event is free for spectators.

27 April

Organisers of the 2016 Powerboat GP RYA British Championship say around 50 competitors will be battling it out for the first points of the competition.

Steve Hoult, who won the F2 Catamaran class last year, will be defending his title against Colin Jelf and Paul Balfours who both boast multiple British titles.

Thomas Mantripp will also be under pressure as he not only attempts to defend the Junior GT15 class, but will also move up to the GT30 championship where he will look to stake a claim on his first adult championship title at the age of 14.

A highlight of the grand prix at the Nicholas Everitt Park, Oulton Broad will be the OSY400 Hydro class. These craft reach speeds in excess of 65mph and are a popular with the crowd.

The commodore of Lowestoft and Oulton Broad Motor Boat Club, Peter Mantripp said he was pleased to be hosting the first round of the 2016 Powerboat GP RYA Championship.

“The club has a strong history of powerboat racing and to once again be hosting the opening round of the Powerboat GP championship is a great opportunity for the club,” he said.

“Bank Holiday racing on the broads always brings huge crowds to Nicholas Everitt Park and produces a great spectacle for spectators. The action is always fast and furious and the park creates perfect viewing for anyone that wants to catch every second of the action.” he concluded.

Racing at Oulton Broad commences on 1 May with timed practice session taking place from 12pm for each class, where the drivers will be fighting for that all-important pole position.

In the afternoon, racing is scheduled to start around 2pm and each class will complete at least one race. This will be followed by further racing from 12pm on 2 May.

Powerboat GP promoter Jason Brewer is looking forward to getting the 2016 Powerboat GP RYA British Championship underway.

“Now in our 5th year, the 2016 Championship is looking to be another fantastic season. Even more of our junior racers are moving up to senior classes adding more experience into our fleets. The competition will be really close especially at the first round as championships can be won and lost right from the first heat of the season,” he said.