Honda Formula 4-Stroke Powerboat Series - Lowestoft

by F4SA media on 27 Jul 2009
The Honda Formula 4-Stroke Powerboat race which was held Sunday has been one of the most spectacular and memorable Grand Prix’s the area has witnessed since the series began racing in Lowestoft in 2007.

The day began with the 225hp fleet and a marvellous win once again for home team Lings driven by David Cowley and Navigator Paul Barkshire. Leaving a tremendous gap between themselves and their opposition Team Williams they had clearly won the race before they had finished. In third were the German crew of Power of Dreams Germany who mopped up the wake of their challengers to take the final victory of the morning.

In the afternoon the 150hp teams took off from the start with Octane leading the way until they hit a bad wave and nosedived leaving them at the back of the field. Hydrex experienced engine problems which broke them from their leading position at the front half of the pack causing them to retire. Team Williams jumped into first place driven by Martin Campbell and Dale Williams, followed by Premier Cru and rookies Team Fox who came all the way from Jersey.

Due to rough weather conditions brewing throughout the day the racers were facing some tough seas. The results of the challenging water during each race left some teams with various issues both mechanically and physically. Four boats in the 150hp remained in the wet pits due to weather abuse and two in the 225hp with broken engine mounts.

Finally the day ended in the most spectacular finale as the remaining fleet of the 225hp took to the course. Heights of Abraham stole the top position in the first lap but retired early with an unknown fault leaving Lings to regain their position form the morning race.

However in an unexpected turn rookie team Double Six driven by Brian Caudwell and navigated by Sean Massey set about a battle with the local team along the back straight as the conditions turned even rougher than expected.

The team from Sarisbury Green in Southampton managed to push past Lings on the back corner and take a staggering lead into first leaving their position safe from the opposition and certainly uncatchable.

'We are new to the series and honestly never expected we would make such progression so early on in our first season. We have been developing our team in the last four weeks and hoped to achieve better than we have previously. We are absolutely thrilled to have won our first race and the people of Lowestoft have been very friendly and we have thoroughly enjoyed our weekend', said Neil Cadman – Team Manager of Double 6, on behalf of Brian Caudwell and Sean Massey.

This now throws the championship wide open for the next Grand Prix in Cowes in August; with race results so close the championship looks set to become even more exciting with teams pushing harder than ever before to take the lead positions for the 10th anniversary year of the Honda Formula 4-Stroke Race Season.

The day concluded with a busy podium prize giving hosted by his Worship the Mayor of Lowestoft, Councillor Malcolm Cherry and the lady Mayoress. Teams gathered along with sponsors and powerboat enthusiasts to see the final places awarded to the winning bots of the weekend.

'Lowestoft has gone through huge changes recently and is having to work hard reinventing it’s self to give the community the opportunity to promote their facilities and welcome new events. Having events like the Honda F4SA hold a Grand Prix here is an invitation to take the local tourism further; it shows that this area is a great place for any event to be held. It places the town on the map and we endeavour to get other events looking to find new venues to come to the area. There is a lot of love and excitement for events like the Honda Powerboat series and the people look forward to it year on year.' Said Malcom.

The series moves to Cowes next month on 29th August when they take part in the Cowes Poole Cowes race. There will be some 30 boats involved for the weekend as part of the Cowes Powerboat Festival which is in its 49th anniversary.

Honda Formula 4-Stroke Powerboat Series click here