The opening round of the 2016 Powerboat GP RYA British Championship will be held at Oulton Broad on the 1st and 2nd May.

2015 F2 Champion Steve Hoult will be defending his title against Colin Jelf and Paul Balfour, his main rivals from last season.

Thomas Mantripp will not only attempt to defend his Junior GT15 title, but will also race this year in the GT30 championship.

A highlight of the Lowestoft Grand Prix is the fleet of OSY400 hydroplanes skipping across the water at speeds in excess of 65mph, with their driver’s helmets mere millimetres from the water.

Lowestoft and Oulton Broad Motor Boat Club’s Commodore Peter Mantripp had this to say on hosting the opening round of the 2016 Powerboat GP RYA Championship,

The club has a strong history of Powerboat Racing and to once again be hosting the opening round of the Powerboat GP championship is a great opportunity.

Powerboat GP promoter Jason Brewer is looking forward to the season getting underway,

Now in our 5th Year the 2016 Championship is looking to be another fantastic season.
Even more of our junior racers are moving up to senior classes adding more experience into our fleets.
The competition will be really close especially at the first round as championships can be won and lost right from the first heat of the season.

Racing at Oulton Broad commences on Sunday 1st May with timed practice session taking place from 12:00 for each class, where the drivers will be fighting for that all-important pole position. In the afternoon, racing is set to start around 14:00 and each class will complete at least one race. A full day of action takes place the following day from 12:00.

To get up close and personal with the action, there is a small gate charge applicable within the park. Everybody is welcome to come along and enjoy the show and you will be able to see the racing from anywhere around the banks or you can join the racers, their skilled mechanics, pit crew and teams in Nicholas Everitt Parking area where you can listen to the live commentary.

2016 Calendar

01/02 May – Oulton Broad, NR33 9JR – Powerboat GP Lowestoft Grand Prix
28/29 May – Carr Mill Dam, WA11 7LZ – Powerboat GP Lancashire Grand Prix
02/03 July – Kingsbury Waterpark B76 0DY – Powerboat GP Kingsbury Grand Prix
16/17 July – Chasewater Country Park WS8 7NL – Powerboat GP Cannock Grand Prix
17/18 September – Stewartby Lake MK43 9LY – Powerboat GP Bedford Grand Prix
03/04 August – Stewartby Lake MK43 9LY – Powerboat GP Bedford Sprint Grand Prix
24/25 September – Stewartby Lake MK43 9LY – UIM European Championships