05/10/01 | Gibraltar Glory

LOCAL powerboat racers returned from Gibraltar this week with a pair of national titles.

Blandford's Jon Taylor added to his European title with victory in the British Offshore Powerboat finals.

Navigator Taylor and Hayling Island driving partner Scott Hodges took their 22ft 90hp monohull HPS Racing to double success in the championship finale to clinch the 2001 crown.

Going into the double header they trailed series leader Peter Berrow from Southampton, but when he turned his boat over in the first race and fellow rival Shelly Jory stopped with a mechanical failure they swept into the points lead.

Victory in race two confirmed them as the new champions. They are hoping to move up to 2 litre next season so may miss the World Championships, which take place in February in South Africa

The second title of the championship finals went to the family due of Thomas and William Bolton respectively from Blandford and Lymington.

In their 26ft Pascoe RHIB Phoenix II, the talented due have had a highly consistent campaign in the RIB Formula 3 category and emphasised this with their title winning success in Gibraltar.

Poole's 2 Litre title hopes Vicky Crump (Julia's House) and Chris Bryan (Marine On-Line) went to the finals with only a slim chance of success needing to win with others failing to finish.

In the end neither could make progress in the overall standings and finished fourth and fifth respectively.

Victory in the last race of the year for the unlimited Ribs wasn't enough for father and son team John and Robert Puddifoot from Sway in Dragon's Revenge to snatch victory.

In a season in which they have achieved speed success they had to settle for third in class.

07/09/2001 | Tim's trophy glory at last

Britain's Tim Powell, who has helped organise the Cowes-Torquay powerboat race for nearly 20 years, finally won the world's oldest powerboat race last Saturday.

Sharing the driving duties with Italian racer and boat designer Fabio Buzzi, Powell steered the 3,120 horsepower 55ft rigid inflatable Gincanotto to Torquay and back in a time of two hours 52 minutes at an average speed of 76.54 miles an hour for the 190-mile round trip.

Well ahead of the rest of the field, they very nearly didn't make the finish when an electrical failure took out their navigation system with less than two miles to run. The crew stopped and made running repairs then discovered they had gone the wrong side of a buoy and had to turn around before crossing the finishing line.

Second place went to the British entered 40ft Big Rib with Christchurch's Simon Woodpower (land team captain for the recent Sunseeker Round Britain record run) in the four-man crew. The record-breaking Sunseeker Racing XS2000 itself came home fourth with record holders Ian Sanderson from Lymington and Peter Dredge from Southampton back on board.

They were just ahead of the Puddifoot family from Sway, John, Robert and Richard, in their 30ft Revenger RIB Dragon's Revenge.

Earl Normanton of Somerley, making his return to the sport, celebrated by winning the outboard category (eighth overall and third in the Endurance Class) with Wimborne's Dave Allenby on the 38ft Cougar monohull Premier Crew.

Saturday's action also included the latest round of the RYA British National Championships for Class III boats.

Poole's Max Walker and Mick Spong in Batboat.Com led away from the start line but got less than a mile before their gearbox failed.

This left the overall competition honours to be fought out between 4 litre contenders, Mick Archer and Colin Bowler (West Midlands) in Powertrucks and Ian Blacker and Stuart Porter (Reading) on Kingfisher Security.

When Kingfisher retired Powertrucks had a comfortable run, completing the 75 mile course in 1 hour 15 minutes.

The 2 litre class produced some of the closest racing for the day led home by Roy Smith and Graham Reeder (Jersey) in Commodore Ferries almost a minute ahead of Ricky Hill (Cardiff) and Sarah Donohue in Apex Leasing Colormat.

Top of the local finishers in seventh, was Chris Bryan and Dave Voyce from Poole in Marine On-Line. They lost two minutes at the green flag when their engine oiled-up and failed to start putting them at the back of the field. However once up and running they managed to overtake two of the crews ahead of them including home town rivals Vicky Crump and Justin Cadman who were in the down on power Julia's House.

Leading the way in 1.3 litre were European champions, Jon Taylor from Bournemouth and Scott Hodges from Hayling Island on HPS Racing.

They finished a comfortable four minutes clear of main rivals Peter Berrow and Jason Kidgell from Southampton in Challenging Lite Relief.

Laurels also went to Thomas and William Bolton from Blandford in their Formula Three rigid inflatable Phoenix II when they finished runners-up in class, just a tenth of a second behind winners Andy and Mel Wilby (Fleet) crewing Cardinal Sin.

Main event sponsors Honda, had two races to decide their one-make Formula 4 Stroke series in which Poole's Peter Moore was one of the contenders.

Moore and co-driver Iain McLean (Fife) had high hopes of snatching victory in the flat conditions that greeted the opening race, but this failed to materialise and they were restricted to fifth place although temporarily elevated to second after a series of protests.

In Sunday's second and deciding race they improved to finish third but this was no enough to move up the leader board and they ended their year in fourth overall.

Sunday's traditional Round the Island basic race was won by the 6 litre trimaran Bladerunner City Offshore crewed by multiple champions Peter Little and David Arthur (Oxford).

The busy Sunseeker XS Racing XS2000 claimed second, this time with Simon Woodpower being co-driven by David Macey from Branksome.

Third overall went to Spirit of Jethol driven by Dr Peter Ogden from Sandbanks.

01/09/2001 | Worlds best Tackle Challenge

The world's longest running offshore powerboat race gets under way in the Solent today with Europe's top crews tackling the famous Cowes - Torquay - Cowes challenge.

The blast from a starting cannon will set the high powered fleet off on its way past The Needles, across Poole Bay to Peverill Ledge, Portland Bill and finally to Torquay where they turnaround and repeat the journey.

A ten-strong entry for the Cowes Classic has been received from Italian boats, plus one from Austria while a Norwegian boat will contest Sunday's Round the Island Race.

Among the British competitors is the Earl of Normanton from Somerley, chairman of the newly-formed British Powerboat Racing Club, who is making a comeback to the sport after a 24-year gap.

Lord Normanton, 55, who began powerboat racing in 1968 will race with World Class 2 and National Class 1 Champion, David Allenby from Ower in Hampshire.

Their 38' British Cougar designed monohull Premier Crew is powered by triple Yamaha outboard motors totalling 750hp. As one of the event organisers, Lord Normanton says that it is everyone's ambition to win the race.

Contesting the same Endurance class will be Lymington's Ian Sanderson driving Sunseeker XS Racing, the boat in which he attempted to break the Round Britain record last week.

Among the favorites for overall victory is Tim Powell who has run the Cowes Classic for the last 22 years.

A highly experienced competitor in his own right, he is leaving his normal duties to partner well known Italian racer and boat designer Fabio Buzzi in the biggest boat in the fleet. The 50ft long Giancanotto is powered by four Seatek inboard diesel engines producing 3,120 horse power - double any other boat taking part.

Now in its 41st year the Cowes-Torquay race, which is being revived after more than a decade, begins two days of offshore action as the National Powerboat Champio-nships are brought to a close.

Several local crews are making the short Solent crossing to Cowes to compete in their class against Britain's best in today's RYA National Championships (10.45am).

Among them will be regular race winner Max Walker from Poole in his 4-litre monohull Batboat.Com.

Arch rivals Vicky Crump (Julia's House) and Chris Bryan (Marine On Line) from Poole go head-to-head once again in the well supported 2-litre division. They will have a tough time as any one of the nine boats in their class is capable of winning.

17-08-2001 | Powerboats in Poole Town

BRITAIN'S leading offshore crews are in town this weekend for the two-day Poole Powerboat Grand Prix. More than 70 boats are expected with the largest entry of 40 craft of all shapes and sizes contesting Sunday's Camden Trophy, the fourth round of the British National Championships.

Poole's Max Walker in his powerful 400hp 4 litre 28ft Mannerfelt craft Batboat.com will be among the drivers in the running for overall honours . Walker is a regular winner on home waters and must start as favourite for the Camden Trophy which goes to the leading Class III finisher.

The best battle of the race should be between the 2-litre boats led by local favourites Vicky Crump from Poole in Julia's House and Chris Bryan, also from Poole in Marine on Line. Mixing it will these will be a trio of the one-make V-24 Mannerfelt canopied monohulls fitted with their 300hp Volvo engines.

Among the drivers is the highly experienced Mike Mantle from Poole in Vodca. He faces opposition from Southamp-ton's Peter Dredge (Stimulation) who is due to crew the Round Britain record attempting Sunseeker XS2000 the following day.

Rigid inflatables make-up nearly half of the field, contesting their own classes with Lymington's William Bolton among the starters taking the wheel of Phoenix II.

Smallest boats in the fleet will be the 1.3 litres where Wimborne born and bred Shelley Jory is joined by Darrell Elmes as the only all-female crew currently competing in the sport in Babe Lite Relief. Navigating for one of their rivals is John Taylor from Poole who partner's Scott Hodges in their new for 2001 HTR Racing.

As a taster for the feature race, up to a dozen Honda 21 single-make boats take to the water at noon for their own National Championship. Front-runner Peter Moore from Poole in H-3 Media Surface is hoping to make his local knoweldge count in what is always a close fought contest.

The weekend's racing begins tomorrow at 11am with the opening heats of the inflatable ZapCat series taking place off Bournemouth beach. Several local crews are expected to participate including Poole's Vicky Crump and Justin Cadman who share their boat Julia's Cat. The pair will also contest the final round of the Royal Motor Yacht Club Classic championship, due off at 2.45pm.

This attracts the strong local entry with Crump facing opposition from arch rival Chris Bryan while Max Walker opens his weekend in the unlimited class. They are joined in the line-up by Poole's Tim Nurser driving Explosion and former European champion Adam Younger from Lymington in Mobil I Outboard.

Smallest boat on the entry list is the diminutive 16ft Crusader called Hartwells Peugeot skippered by Dave Hipkiss from Poole. Completing the on-water action tomorrow is the penultimate round of the National Offshore Circuit racing Champio-nship where local interest features Alan and Robert Lawson from Ringwood in the class A Phantom Unplugged.

18-06-2001 | Powerboat Grand Prix Success

The Ramsgate Powerboat Grand Prix has been hailed a great success, attracting more than 35,000 people to the town over the weekend.

Two days of racing created excitement for the crowds who turned out for the spectacle, which has become the biggest event in the area.

Land-based festivities including an international Food and Drink Village and a full programme of entertainment also delighted visitors during the two days.

Although atrocious weather had been forecast for the weekend, in the event rain held off and there was intermittent sunshine with a light breeze. Races went ahead as planned and without major incident.

The Chairman of Thanet Council, Cllr William Palmer, said: "The whole weekend was a great success, and we received many compliments from visitors about the way the event had been organised. As well as the racing itself, people enjoyed all that was on offer in the Food and Drink Village, and entertainment was of an exceptionally high standard."

The Grand Prix, held in the Royal Harbour, Ramsgate, for the second year running, was sponsored by the Council with support from European Interreg funding partners Dunkerque, Les Dunes de Flandre. Additional sponsorship came from Grantchester, owners of East Kent Retail Park, Cascades Casino, Margate, Cummins Power Generation, and the Kent Messenger Group/TLR. Thorley Taverns also supported the event.

The weekend was organised by staff from the Council's Maritime Division and Economic Development and Marketing Department, with many volunteers helping on site as marshals over the weekend. The racing was organised by All Hallows Yacht Club with the approval of the Royal Yachting Association, and support from the Royal Temple Yacht Club.

The Council's Cabinet member for Tourism and Leisure, Cllr Iris Johnston, paid tribute to the work of all those involved. "I would like to thank everyone who gave up their weekend to help make the event such as success" she said. "It was lovely to see so many people assisting with marshalling, such as members of the carnival associations, who already give a great deal of their time in supporting tourism on a voluntary basis. Without their help the Powerboat Grand Prix would not have been such a success."

18-06-2001 | Ramsgate Update

Bad weather and strong winds resulted in many race retirements this weekend at the Ramsgate Grand Prix.

The team was expecting a hard race but a 1st place position.

Leaving the marina and increasing throttle the team noticed a a loud knock resulting to a gear problem. Scrambling to the rear of the boat they tried everything they could to get the boat moving but when they eventually drifted onto the racing line they had to be removed by the safety crew and the race was over.

Back in the pits the atmosphere was low but after further inspection it was good to note that the problem was only minor and could be early repaired.

We have learned from the problem and more testing will result in no more failures.

08-06-2001 | Interview for "The News" by John Carter

CHAMPION Scott Hodges has one burning ambition before he hangs up the keys to his powerboat.

With British and European titles already to his name, the Hayling Island ace now wants to conquer the world.

Scott, a 34 year-old graphic designer, will compete in the Class 3 World Championships in South Africa next year alongside his Navigator Jon Taylor.

Scott's last crack at the World Championship ended in disaster two years ago - while in pole position. He was navigating for Portsmouth driver Alan Layton when the steering snapped, sending their 1.3-litre boat spinning into another competitor.

Scott dislocated his shoulder and needed seven stitches to a chin wound, but his appetite for racing was undiminished.

Turning his attention to driving, Scott finished second in the 1.3-Litre British championships and first in the European championships held at Cowes.

Class 3 powerboats are capable of speeds of 84mph and the most competitive boats are valued at around £35,000. Scott said: "If you compared it with motor racing, Class 3 boats are like your touring cars and Class 1 boats are like your Ferraris and McLarens. 'Class 3 is a lot more popular because it's more affordable. To be competitive in Class 1 you need to be spending around £1m a year.'

Scott started powerboat navigating in 1994 and helped Jersey driver Roy Smith to the 2-litre Championship and two Offshore 2000 titles. The progression to driving was natural for someone who has raced everything from karts to shopping trolleys. 'I will race anything,' said Scott. 'I like fast cars and I've always had a passion for speed.

Scott and Jon got their bid for the British Championship off to a perfect start at Torquay last month, finishing eight minutes clear of the field. The Next round takes place at Ramsgate next weekend and the six-race championship draws to a close at Gibraltar in September.

The duo won't be defending their European title in Finland because the calm waters will favour their catamaran opponents. 'We don't stand much of a chance, ' Scott said.

Instead the duo's minds will be concentrated on the World Championships at Cape Town in February.

Scott said: 'The World Championships are my number one goal. We will be up against 35 competitors determined to prove they're the best. But I would like to retire once I've won the world championship and we've got the equipment to do it now.'

The Duo are sponsored by Havant forms HPS Printing and Filarinskis, plus Poole-based Extreme Marine.

13-06-2001 | Two Days of Action Packed fun ahead

Thanet Council is looking forward to pulling in a big crowd for the second Powerboat Grand Prix taking place at Ramsgate in June. Around 50 high-performance boats are expected to take part in the races off the coast over 16 and 17 June, including a number of visually exciting 'bat boats'.

Once again All Hallows Yacht Club is organising the races, and competitors will take part in different classes, from the Offshore Circuit Racing which race close to the shore, to the Honda boats, and the more powerful craft that navigate a course further out to sea.

The Council is delighted to have attracted the event back to Ramsgate, where the stunning Royal Harbour provides a perfect backdrop for the thrilling and glamorous event.

Among the high profile competitors this year will be former world champion Steve Curtis, who will be bidding for success in his Lamborghini powerboat. Steve, one of the best known figures in the powerboat world, said: "I am looking forward to returning to Ramsgate which proved to be an excellent venue last year. Powerboating is an exciting sport, and one which never fails to attract the crowds."

Also returning for a second visit is Sarah Donohue, another leading light on the powerboat circuit. Sarah received wide publicity last year following her appearance as a stunt girl in the James Bond movie "The World is Not Enough". Sarah is looking forward to taking part in the Italian national championships following the Ramsgate event.

Additional attractions this year will include a full programme of land-based events, including an International Food and Drink Village at the Royal Harbour. There will also be performances during the two days from a range of artistes bringing music and visual entertainment.

Leader of the Council, Cllr Richard Nicholson, said: "The Powerboat Grand Prix is a highlight in Thanet's calendar, and I would urge local people not to miss the excitement of this weekend. Last year's event was a tremendous success, attracting 45,000 people into the town, bringing added benefits for local businesses. Together with the added attractions around the harbour area, this year's event promises to be even more thrilling, and we will warmly welcome competitors and visitors."

28-05-2001 | Power pair splash out

While Schumacher and his Grand Prix pals were tearing around the narrow streets of Monte Carlo at breakneck speed, Torquay was also enjoying a dash of power glamour.

But this speedy spectacle was well away from terra firma as 28 of the fastest powerboats afloat tore across the Bay in the first heat of the Royal Yachting Association's British National Championships.

Sadly the Torbay Classic event could not match Monaco for sizzling Med sunshine. Instead competitors and spectators had to settle for just adequate visibility on a dampish and unseasonably cold Bank Holiday. But the large crowds were determined to enjoy their sport as they assembled at Beacon Quay and Haldon Pier to watch the action on the water.

Sunday's spectacular had its fair share of thrills with just the one spill into the water and nine other less dramatic retirements. Taking an unrehearsed ducking were driver Mike Spinks from Guildford and navigator Rob Andrews from The Hamble who were thrown from their Building Design catamaran as it negotiated a turn mark.

Race officer Annie Wallbank said of the crash: "Mike was taking a turn when the bow points dug in. They both ended up in the water. They were picked up and checked out. They were fine." She added: "The weather was OK for racing, but not so good for the spectators. I think the forecast of rain put a lot of people off. We didn't have a visibility problem. It was threatening but never showed. We did bring the race course to within 150 yards of the spectators at Haldon Pier."

The European 1.3ltr champions, Scott Hodges and Jon Taylor from Poole kept form by winning their class and taking the Alan Web award for the 10 minute lead over 2nd placed Condor Ferries.

The leading rib in the Open Class was Airy Puss crewed by one-eyed navigator Ed Williams-Hawkes from Topsham and driver Miles Jennings from Ebford.

The Torbay Anniversary Cup was picked up by the crew of Commodore Ferries, Graham Reeder from Hampshire and Roy Smith from Jersey.

20-05-2001 | Honda Cowes Classic 2001

2001 marks several important milestones in the history of the World's most prestigious offshore powerboat racing festival.

Formed after last year's remarkable gathering of past competitors, race boats and memorabilia from forty years of international racing, the British Powerboat Racing Club has taken on the organisation of the event. It is taking offshore back to its roots with a reversion to the Cowes-Torquay-Cowes and Round the Island race format originally devised by the late Sir Max Aitken. With Lady Aitken as the Club's first President. Tim Powell as Vice-President and The Lord Beaverbrook on its Committee, continuity will be guaranteed.

Joining an illustrious roll call of former backers, Honda has recognised the sporting and marketing potential of the Cowes Classic and has invested in the title sponsorship. The UIM international marathon Endurance fleet will be joined in Cowes by a big entry of RIBs and other fast production monohulls for the run to and from Torquay on Saturday 1 September.

RYA British National Championship classes, including the Honda Formula 4-Stroke boats, will compete within the waters of the Wight whilst the race to Torquay takes place away to the west.

On Sunday, 2 September, the fleets will join forces for the traditional Round The Island sprint. This will be a great spectacle with a start at Cowes and opportunities for spectators to see the boats from the vantage points around the Island.

To participate in or be associated with the World's greatest offshore powerboat race contact Event Director, John Walker, Tel 01794-368997 or Fax 01794-368995. Further details can be obtained from www.cowesclassic.com


13-05-2001 | HTR to star in BBC 999 Programme

The hodgeTaylor team is set to star in the Spring series in the popular BBC 999 programme after they were filmed in the reconstruction of a severely injured powerboat racer.

The reconstruction tells the story of Sarah Donohue whilst competing in a powerboat race in Italy, when it all went horribly wrong.

The boat in which Sarah was competing, a 4ltr Catamaran, rolled over trapping her underneath the hull. Racers, including Scott Hodges, whom saw the accident rushed to give assistance. An Italian Navigator dived into the water to free Sarah from underneath the upturned hull.

Sarah was pulled to the surface and assisted onto the hull, but despite the efforts by the Navigator Sarah had drowned. Immediately the two Italian's, assisted by our Jon Taylor, started CPR to revive Sarah. After some minutes a gasp of air was heard from the now very cold and blue body.

The air ambulance arrives and lifts her onto a stretcher, taking her immediately for hospital assistance.

The programme will be transmitted in July/August - we shall keep you updated.

The crew involved in the filming were: Pilot Scott Hodges, Navigator Jon Taylor


18-01-2001 | New Website launched

The new HTR racing website has gone live. Packed full of information about the team and the 2001 seasons events, the new site which is completely built by the members of the team, has been constructed to follow our successes and achievements around the world.

Providing all the latest news on demand, the site will be updated live from the race track by the team. A WAP facility, which is to be introduced in May, will also allow enthusiasts world-wide to follow the championships through the telephone.

01-01-2001 | New hull approaching completion

The new race hull for 2001, an Ocke Mannerfelt B24, is approaching completion. Colour schemes have now been confirmed and final painting of the boat is due for early March.

Keep a track on the gallery section for the latest images

01-01-2001 | HPS keep commitment

HPS Print, the famous Havant based printers have confirmed their continued commitment to sponsor the team through 2001. The team at HPS have been a valuable asset to our performance during the 2000 race season which saw the team gain the European Championship title. Our thanks to HPS.