British Offshore Racing Archives ⋆ Powerboat Racing World

Double Century

Chris Davies — Fri, 25 Mar 2022 10:05:41 +0000

Fifty years ago, 1972 England was in the grips of an economic depression. The British government had declared a state of emergency following a forty-seven-day miners’ strike, and UK unemployment had risen to one million for the first time since the depression years of the 1930s.

Against this backdrop the Offshore Powerboat Club of Great Britain were putting the final pieces of a ‘jigsaw like’ race together.

After twenty-one months of challenging work, competitors would finally take to start line of one of the most iconic offshore races of all time, the Port Richborough London to Monte Carlo Powerboat Race.

So, on the 10 June HRH Princes Margaret flagged away the twenty-one entries on their 2,700 nautical miles marathon from the Thames in London. The route went along the south coast of England, down the Atlantic coastline of France, across the Bay of Biscay to Northern Spain.

From there they rounded the Portuguese coastline and headed along the Mediterranean and finally into Monaco, where Princess Grace welcomed those exhausted, but satisfied teams that had completed the endurance race.

One of the six classified finishers was the Fairey Huntsman ‘Double Century,’ who were also awarded ‘The Best All Rounder’ trophy. Only thirty-two cruisers were ever built, and they are widely considered to be one of the most classic powerboat designs of all time. The original owner of ‘Double Century’ was sherry importer David Palengat, who named the boat after one of his best-selling sherries which used to be the biggest brand of Domecq and was first introduced in 1930s for the bicentenary of the company.

Driven by Palengat with assistance from Peter and John Pearce, the 31 ft Fairy Huntsman with double cabins was a genuine offshore cabin cruiser powered by twin Ford Mermaid diesels.

Palengat and his crew were normally amongst the tail end of the fleet, but no one doubted that they would make it into Monaco, even after rescuing the five-man crew of the ‘Spirit of Michaelhouse’ which sank on the leg into Alicante.

Their average speed was 24.94 knots which gave them a total elapse racing time of 102 hrs 38 mins 49 seconds, thirty-one hours behind the winners ‘H.T.S’.

A four-year restoration project of this famous power boat was started back in 2013 and involved replacing the original 180hp Ford Mermaid diesels engines and gearboxes with a power plant capable of replicating her original race performance.

The previous owner Richard Miller had approached Hendy Power, who provided the two original race engines back in 1971 and Fiat Powertrain Technology engines were suggested. The footprint and overall dimensions of the new engines were considerably different to the original Ford ones. So, Hendy allowed them to build a scale model of the engine’s beds in their Cosham workshop. They also helped model the installation and then altered the fitment of ancillary items and provided custom engine feet so that there was sufficient clearance between the engines.

Now Double Century has found a new mooring in the Lake District, where the current owner Andrew Turner, who runs Windermere Classic Cruises, is adding the boat to his rental fleet so guests will be able to enjoy a two-hour cruising experience.

I’m thrilled to be bringing this classic example of our boating heritage to Windermere. Double Century is an epic powerboat with an incredible racing history. We have lots of original memorabilia from the race which I can’t wait to share with other boat lovers. It’s going to be an incredible opportunity for people to experience cruising on England’s most beautiful lake onboard one of the most beautifully designed boats ever made.

Visitors can book to go on the Double Century at www.windermereyachtcruises.co.uk

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UK Offshore OK

Chris Davies — Thu, 03 Feb 2022 10:22:35 +0000

There must be something about the date 02-02-2022 that inspires offshore racing series organisers to publish their calendars. So, having seen what’s happening across the pond in the sunshine state the British based United Kingdom Offshore Powerboat Racing Association published their World ‘Offshore’ Powerboat Championships for 2022.

Amongst those racers keen to see what’s happening was Miles Jennings who once again will be racing on both sides of the pond.

I’m looking forward to collecting a lot of Air Miles this year. I’m starting off the season by racing around the Isle of Wight, just off the south coast of England with Drew Langdon in Silverline Bullet at the opening round of the UKOPRA series. Then two weeks later I’m in Cocoa Beach, Florida with P1 Offshore and Zabo Racing.

Jennings went onto say.

We had a pre-season meeting with a lot of the UK racers earlier this week and I’m really excited to see that we are going to have the largest amount of UKOPRA Class 1 competitors ever seen. It’s going to look like the great days of UK offshore racing from back in the 1990’s.

UKOPRA 2022 World ‘Offshore’ Powerboat Championships.

30 April/01 May – Round the Island / Southampton

10/11/12 June – Poole Bay 100 / Poole Quay

14/18 July – Guernsey Gold Cup / Guernsey

27/28 August – Cowes Torquay Cowes / Cowes Poole Cowes / Isle of Wight

30 September/01 October – Falmouth / Cornwall

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Jory-Leigh out of Cowes after riding accident

John Moore — Tue, 13 Jul 2021 17:47:26 +0000

Shelley Jory-Leigh, one the most successful lady racers in the modern age of offshore powerboat racing, has been forced out of competing in next month’s Cowes Torquay Cowes race.

Jory-Leigh was training for the Magnolia Cup horse event to be held at Goodwood later this month when she suffered some bad injuries to her face and teeth while riding her horse.

The hardy racer had wanted to race in Blastoff Racing, an Ilmor powered Cougar RIB, but medical advice has advised against it.

Blastoff Racing’s Cougar R12 Viper RIB – Photo: Malc Attrill

In 2016 she steered her her team to second place overall in the classic race with an average speed of just 37.43 mph in horrendous sea conditions.

Shelley with the Blastoff Racing Team of Will-Stevens and Dorian-Griffith in 2016

We wish Shelley a speedy recovery.

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Powerboat racing returns to Brixham

Chris Davies — Tue, 22 Jun 2021 17:05:12 +0000

Brixham hosted Round 3 of the 7-race series organised by the Offshore Circuit Racing Drivers Association (OCRDA) at the weekend when a fleet of 20 of the UK’s fastest race boats came to town.

The OCRDA fleet before the racing begins Photo: Nigel Cole

The F1 and F2 Classes were very well represented, but only single entries for F3 and Formula Sport.

Torquay hosted Round 1 and West Bay Round 2, both in May. The series is due to return to Torquay for Round 5 at the end of August – when the Bay will also host a round of the Class 3A World Championships.

Other rounds are due to be held in Norfolk and Wales.

Brixham has not reverberated to the sound of powerboats since the mid 80’s and judging by the crowds that lined the breakwater at the weekend, it proved to be a very welcome return, and hopefully will become a regular fixture in the OCRDA calendar.

On Saturday, although warm, it was very overcast, and the sea was choppy for both races.

In F1 these conditions favoured the boat of highly experienced South West pairing of Jeremy Gibson / Malachy Browne – Smokey & The Bandit – who went in to the Brixham event as the F1 Class leaders.

Saturday’s races started from the muster point just off Paignton with a rolling start. The boats made an impressive sight with high rooster tails of water behind them as they bounced their way towards Brixham Breakwater in the choppy sea and past the cruise liner Queen Victoria. The course took the boats out to Berry Head, and then back around to travel the length of the Breakwater from where the spectators had an excellent view of the action.

In both races, the Gibson/ Browne pairing had a hard battle with Exeter based, Craig Temple-Murray, in his boat Matahari 4.

Matahari 4 – Craig & Tom Temple-Murray Photo: Nigel Cole

Craig is another highly experienced racer, and for the weekend, renewed his racing partnership with son Tom – they last raced together ten years ago. Craig’s usual navigator, Paul Scott, is still recovering from injuries that he sustained in a freak accident at Round 1 in Torquay. Paul is hoping to return to his seat later this year.

It was an intense, race long battle that eventually saw Gibson/Browne hunt down the Temple-Murray’s to take both race wins. In an unfortunate twist, Craig was later disqualified from the second place in Race 1 because he lost his engine cover. Although this was recovered and re-fitted for Race 2, the boat was deemed to have broken the rules due to a clip failing – a second place and vital points lost to a 50p clip!

On Sunday, by the time the first race got under way – this time from a standing start – the sun was blazing down and the sea was virtually flat. The Temple-Murray’s boat with its stepped bottom design was probably better suited to the smoother conditions. Again, he was chased by the Gibson/Browne boat, but held on to win both races, reversing the results of Saturday. However, the two wins on Saturday ensured that Gibson/Browne – the 2018 Champions – left Brixham still leading the F1 Class from Racing Green – Richard Mason / Adam Corser and Matahari 4 – Craig Temple-Murray.

Another father and son team that were celebrating a great weekend were Malc and Bradley Dopson – 66 Racing – competing in the F2 Class. They won both races on Saturday, and the fourth race on Sunday after finishing runners up in Race 3 – a perfect way to celebrate Fathers Day. They had to battle hard against Thurston – Ben Brown and Andrew Jenvy – a win and two second places ensured that they maintained their healthy lead in the F2 Class.

It was good to see 2016 British Champions & Record Holders Stuart and Ian Atlee out in Tintorera Racing.

Tintorera Racing – Stuart & Ian Atlee chased by 66 Racing – Malc & Bradley Dopson Photo: Nigel Cole

However, it was a disappointing weekend for them. A fourth place finish in Race 1 was followed by retirement from Race 2 – and they repeated this on Sunday. The boat looked spectacular often with its nose pointing skyward, but probably not the quickest way forward.

This season OCRDA has welcomed some newcomers to the sport and one of those teams in F1 is Justin Copland and Josh Lovelock from Cornwall in their stunning green boat Jam First (its all to do with scones!). They admit that the boat is a “work in progress” and they are learning a lot with each race weekend. A pair of 6th and 7th place finishes their reward from Brixham. I am sure that they will continue to make progress.

In addition to the power boat racing, jet ski racers also competed in four races. OCRDA are looking to develop their relationship with the jet ski racers, and the number of competitors is growing with each event. The P1 AquaX series are not holding UK jet ski races this year, so this is a great opportunity to get in some racing. Carl Lofthouse dominated the 300 Pro Class with 3 race wins, Rob Peters won the 300AM Class and Charles Mcilwraith won the 200 Class also winning every race.

The weekend was rounded off on Sunday afternoon with a prize giving ceremony to the winning teams at Breakwater Beach. The OCRDA show now rolls on to Norfolk with Round 4 at Kings Lynn at the end of July.

Race 1 – Saturday

Formula Sport 1
Taz A Mania Alfredo Alongi / David Finlayson

1st. One Step Beyond Neil Williams / Connie Jones

1st. 66 Racing Malc Dopson / Bradley Dopson
2nd. Thurston Ben Brown / Andrew Jenvy
3rd. Fatboy Twin Andy Childs / Mark Hayward

1st. Smokey & The Bandit Jeremy Gibson / Malachy Browne
2nd. Banshee Racing Team Max Walker / Jerry Wills
3rd. Tommy 5 Star Racing Tim Spink / David Squires

Race 2 – Saturday

Formula Sport

1st.Taz A Mania Alfredo Alongi / David Finlayson

1st. One Step Beyond Neil Williams / Connie Jones

1st. 66 Racing Malc Dopson / Bradley Dopson
2nd. Thurston Ben Brown / Andrew Jenvy
3rd. Bullet Proof Paul Smith / Paula Brown

1st. Smokey & The Bandit Jeremy Gibson / Malachy Browne
2nd. Matahari 4 Craig Temple-Murray / Tom Temple-Murray
3rd. Banshee Racing Team Max Walker / Jerry Wills

Race 3 – Sunday

Formula Sport

1st.Taz A Mania Alfredo Alongi / David Finlayson

1st. Thurston Ben Brown / Andrew Jenvy
2nd. 66 Racing Malc Dopson / Bradley Dopson
3rd. Fatboy Twin Andy Childs / Mark Hayward

1st. Matahari 4 Craig Temple-Murray / Tom Temple-Murray
2nd. Smokey & The Bandit Jeremy Gibson / Malachy Browne
3rd. Banshee Racing Team Max Walker / Jerry Wills

Race 4 – Sunday

Formula Sport

1st.Taz A Mania Alfredo Alongi / David Finlayson

1st. 66 Racing Malc Dopson / Bradley Dopson
2nd. Fatboy Twin Andy Childs / Mark Hayward
3rd. Bullet Proof Paul Smith / Paula Brown

1st. Matahari 4 Craig Temple-Murray / Tom Temple-Murray
2nd. Smokey & The Bandit Jeremy Gibson / Malachy Browne
3rd. Tommy 5 Star Racing Tim Spink / David Squires

OCRDA Championship after 3 Rounds

Formula Sport

1st. The Prodigy Bradley Cannings / Nick Butler 1000
2nd. Taz A Mania Alfredo Alongi / David Finlayson 800
3rd. No Mercy David Matthews / Mark Matthews 200

1st. One Step Beyond Neil Williams / Connie Jones 1600
2nd. Kamo Krazee Anthony Walker / Paula Brown 760

1st. Thurston Ben Brown / Andrew Jenvy 2248
2nd. Fatboy Twin Andy Childs / Mark Hayward 1828
3rd. Bullet Proof Paul Smith / Jack Webb 1823

Bullet Proof – Paul Smith & Paula Brown Photo: Nigel Cole

1st. Smokey & The Bandit Jeremy Gibson / Malachy Browne 2106
2nd. Racing Green Richard Mason / Adam Corser 1707
3rd. Matahari 4 Craig Temple-Murray / Tom Temple-Murray 1628

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