UIM Formula Future World and Continental Youths come to the UK

by Emma Slater / RYA on 3 Aug 2010 UIM Formula Future World and Continental Championship is coming to the UK for the first time ever, with junior power boat racers from across the globe battling it out for a place on the winners’ podium.

Some 80 competitors, aged eight to 18 years, from Great Britain, Malaysia, Czech Republic, Portugal, Germany, Slovakia and 2009 champions Russia will compete in manoeuvring and slalom disciplines over the weekend of 13-15th August at the Lancashire Powerboat Racing Club in St Helens, Merseyside.

John Puddifoot, RYA Powerboat Racing Manager said: 'We are delighted that the championship has come to the UK this year and that UIM President Dr Raffaele Chiulli will be attending, showing his support for all the competitors.

'Formula Future is a fantastic way of showcasing the young powerboating talent we have not only in this country but all over the world. We are looking forward to what promises to be a very exciting and close fought weekend of racing.'

Hosted by the RYA, with official sponsors ‘Powerboat P1’, the championship will see competitors racing against the clock in five different classes, with a maximum of two competitors per age group:

Class 1 8-9 years
Class 2 10-11 years
Class 3 12-13 years
Class 4 14-15 years
Class 5 16-18 years

Classes one to three compete in tiller steered Ribs of a maximum of 3.6m with a maximum engine power of 8hp (two-stroke), whilst classes four to five compete in a RIB, powered by an outboard engine with a minimum power of 10hp and a maximum power of 15hp. For these classes the boat will have a steering wheel, and jockey seat for the driver with the speed lever on the starboard/right side and a kill-switch. These boats have been provided specifically for the event by UK RIB Manufacturers RIBEYE.

Each class will compete in three stages of the competition and will have two attempts at each stage.

Stage One: Free Practice
Stage Two: Manoeuvring – each class will have a different course to complete and all competitors will need to demonstrate their knot tying skills completing a bowline, reef knot, clove hitch and half hitch in the allocated time of 60 seconds. Classes four and five will also have to complete a man overboard manoeuvre during this section.
Stage Three: Parallel slalom

Points are awarded based on the time of each competitor with time penalties added for breach of rules and regulations.

As well as competing for the overall winner’s trophy the young competitors will be vying for individual World and European championship titles across the different disciplines of manoeuvring and slalom.

Asif Rangoonwala, Chairman of Powerboat P1 Management, said: 'Formula Future is the breeding ground for nurturing the most exciting new talent in powerboat racing, so Powerboat P1 is delighted to be able to support the series and promote the grass roots development of our sport.'

The competition starts at 09:00hrs on Saturday 14 August, following an opening ceremony introducing all the competitors, finishing on Sunday 15 with the Prize Giving presentation taking place at 19:00hrs.

Spectators are welcome to watch all the action. Entry is free so come along and support Team GBR.

For more please go to: www.rya.org.uk