UIM F2 Archives ⋆ Powerboat Racing World

Ben Jelf Ready for British Masters Opener at Stewartby

Augastin Felix — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 10:33:25 +0000

Kent powerboat racer Ben Jelf is set to launch his 2026 campaign this weekend as he heads to Stewartby Powerboat Racing Club in Bedford for the opening round of the British Masters Championship.

The 25-year-old from Maidstone will line up in the F2 catamaran class, taking on some of Britain’s top powerboat racers as the new domestic series gets underway.

The Stewartby Powerboat Racing British Masters will feature competitors from across the country, all aiming to build momentum toward the season title. The championship will be contested over four rounds in 2026:

Round 1: 5 April 2026
Round 2: 2 August 2026
Round 3: 26–27 September 2026
Round 4: 17–18 October 2026

A New Three-Part Racing Format

The British Masters format includes seven different classes competing across three distinct competitions, creating multiple opportunities for drivers to deliver strong results during the season.

The first element is the British Masters Championship, which includes one qualifying session and four heats per day. The heats are run back-to-back, with reverse grids for heats two and four.

The second element is the British Masters Match Race Championship, featuring head-to-head elimination races over two laps, using both short and long courses.

The third element is the British Masters Lap Record Championship, where competitors score points based on their fastest laps achieved during racing conditions.

According to the press release, the new series is designed to test all-around ability, combining endurance-style heat racing, the intensity of match-race duels, and the outright speed challenge of the lap record format.

Jelf said he is ready to get the season started.

“The British Masters is set to be an awesome new competition, and I can’t wait to kick my season off on home water at Stewartby. We’ve put in a lot of work over the winter, and I’m feeling ready. The format means you have to be sharp in every session — qualifying, heats, match races, everything. I’m going out there to fight for wins and start the season strong.”

The weekend is also expected to deliver plenty of action for spectators, with back-to-back heats, rapid turnarounds, and the added challenge of reverse-grid racing. The match-race section is expected to add further drama, with close head-to-head battles likely throughout the event.

The season begins with testing and training on Saturday, before the racing program gets underway on Sunday.

The post Ben Jelf Ready for British Masters Opener at Stewartby appeared first on Powerboat Racing World.

Stefan Hagin and RPM Performance Gear Up for European Championship Quest

Frode Sundsdal — Fri, 30 May 2025 06:40:39 +0000

The RPM (Racing Performance Management) team recently dedicated two intensive days to testing their equipment with esteemed German driver and 2022 World Champion, Stefan Hagin. These sessions were crucial in ensuring all systems are primed for the opening race of the 2025 European Championship in Kaunas, Lithuania, scheduled for June 1st.

Hagin, well-acquainted with the newly christened “Princess” DAC boat, quickly reached peak performance, highlighting the synergy he shares with the vessel. The trials also evaluated engines, prepared by Van Akelyen, a trusted Mercury service dealer, proving both his expertise and our readiness. The advanced propellers tested showed promising results.

Significant attention was given to the newly upgraded garage and workshop, ensuring everything ran smoothly ahead of the competition. The weekend also hosted several guests, including potential new sponsors, offering a firsthand look at the prestige and potential of our ambitious project.

Alex Canzi, team principal of RPM, expressed his satisfaction with the tests, saying,

“The results with Stefan Hagin were exceptional. He’s not only a brilliant driver but a valued member of our RPM family. His skill allowed us comprehensive data to enhance our performance. Testing in isolation is always advantageous, but the real evaluation comes in competition. We’re eager to see our efforts materialize in Kaunas.”

Canzi extended his gratitude to the dedicated team, including members Angelo, Mauro, and Steban, who have been instrumental since September 2024, following our Baltic Championship victory. Together, they decided to tackle the 2025 World Championship. Special thanks were also given to sponsors and partners supporting the endeavor, and to Stefan Hagin for his unwavering commitment and exceptional talent.

Excitingly, RPM is set to announce a new official driver for the World Championship, as Stefan Hagin will pursue the E1 Championship. Canzi shared,

“I’ve just finalized an agreement with a talented driver who brings immense potential. While I must withhold his name for now, I assure you he embodies the spirit and skill that RPM prides itself on. Our team already welcomes him, and we’re hopeful that our ‘Princess’ will find her ‘Prince.’ Stay tuned for the official announcement.”

The RPM team is poised for success, driven by passion, dedication, and a shared vision for excellence on the water.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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Alex Canzi: Steering RPM Towards Success in Powerboating

Augastin Felix — Sat, 05 Apr 2025 11:39:41 +0000

In the high-octane world of powerboat racing, few names resonate as strongly as Alex Canzi. The co-founder of RPM Performance, Canzi has long been a pivotal figure in the racing community, propelling numerous drivers to impressive victories. His recent reacquisition of Stefan Hagin’s championship-winning boat marks yet another exciting chapter in his illustrious career.

A Legacy of Champion Partnerships

Over the past decade, Canzi has been instrumental in the success of multiple powerboat drivers.

Collaborating with renowned talents like Alex Carella, Giacomo Sacchi, and Stefan Hagin, he has demonstrated an uncanny ability to bring out the best in his teams.

His investments and strategic insights have earned RPM Performance a reputation as a powerhouse in the sport.

The Molgaard F2 Triumph

In 2024, Canzi made headlines with the purchase of a Molgaard F2 boat.

His gamble paid off when Stefan Hagin, the UIM F2 2022 World Champion, took the helm and clinched the Baltic championship.

The victory underscored Canzi’s knack for assembling winning teams and securing top-tier equipment, further solidifying his legacy in the sport.

Eyeing European Glory in 2025

Building on past successes, Canzi recently announced RPM Performance’s participation in the European Championship in Kaunas, slated for June 2025.

“It’s great to be back with our DAC, with which we won the world championship, but also as a team. We will push hard for the European title,” he stated.

To have Stefan Hagin as our driver for the European championship is great. Canzi’s confidence is contagious, and the racing community is eagerly anticipating the team’s performance.

Strategic Decisions Ahead

As the team prepares for the upcoming championship, one crucial decision remains: selecting the driver for the World Championship. While Canzi is yet to announce the driver, he emphasizes that the choice will be strategic.

“We are in it to win it, so we have to make the best decision for the driver. Sponsorship and budget are also important, let’s see what the best package will be,” remarked Canzi.

A Commitment to Excellence

Whether it’s through meticulous planning, securing sponsorships, or leveraging advanced technology, Alex Canzi’s commitment to excellence continues to drive RPM Performance forward.

As the team gears up for the European Championship, the racing world watches with bated breath, ready to witness another thrilling chapter in powerboat racing history, led by one of its most passionate enthusiasts.

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OptiMax 200XS – 3 More Years in UIM F2?

Frode Sundsdal — Tue, 15 Oct 2024 07:45:30 +0000

The 97th UIM General Assembly will be held later this month in Amsterdam, with some interesting rule proposals for the UIM F2 series.

The proposals include:

• The OptiMax 200XS will be allowed to race for another three years, with the 2027 season marking the final use of the 2-stroke engine.

• The Mercury Racing 200 APX engine will lose its homologation.

• The Mercury Racing 250 APX will become the preferred 4-stroke engine for the F2 World Championship.

This should now give all teams a clear path forward for the transition from 2-stroke to 4-stroke power.

And to that end there will be two UIM F2 World Championships competed for in parallel next season for the teams running the Optimax and APX motors (subject to a minimum of five boats participating).

However, it will be interesting to see how many drivers choose to adopt the 250 APX before 2028.

As one F2 competitor told us:

“You can guarantee that if the APX is quicker than the Opti, we’ll all be getting them!”

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