Round Britain Powerboat Race - Biggest - Toughest

by Powerboat-world.com on 24 Feb 2008 There has been a lot of media and public interest in the 1600 nautical mile Round Britain Powerboat race which will start on June 21st 2008 and will run with 10 day legs. The last Round Britain event was in 1984 and a fleet of more than 50 boats faced the starter. The 2008 event will again start and finish in Cowes on the Isle of Wight and a similar fleet is expected.

Here is a video clip on the upcoming race.




Iain May, who many people will know for the infamous Charlie Fish sailing campaign over recent years, has decided to change tack this year and will be hitting the high seas this summer in the 2008 Round Britain Power Boat Race which starts on June 21st!

In his role as cameraman for BBC2’s Top Gear Iain has encountered many adverse conditions when filming in Botswana and the North Pole. This race is about endurance and is billed as the Biggest and Toughest Powerboat Race in the world!

The Two Scoops Racing Team will compete on board their 39ft Hunton boat, with twin 450 HP twin diesel turbo engines capable of reaching speeds of 75mph. Iain has recently secured a team of top engineers including Sam Christopher and Roly McIldowie to work with the team and keep the boat racing at maximum capacity.

“In 1969 my Dad came 11th in this race on a boat called Translucent and I have always been keen to emulate his success.

I think I have selected an ideal team mate in my Top Gear colleague James May (no relation). James and I have worked closely together over the last 5 years and we have often talked about taking on a challenge of this nature. It was when we were filming at the Pole that we decided this was the race for us!” comments Iain.

James signed up primarily because he saw the film from the 1969 race. “I thought they looked like a bunch of chaps doing something very British – a bit Bentley Boy’s if you like. I have never been sea sick, I am good at navigation and any boat that is faster than my plane must be interesting so I am looking forward to the race immensely.” commented James.

The pair will also be joined by BBC One DIY SOS presenter Nick Knowles who says he brings ‘ballast and a keen sense of humour’ to the campaign. A full list of who will race on each leg will be available shortly.

The boat will be officially launched on the Thames in April.