Keen interest shown by leading producers in associated cruiser rally
Reaction to the official launch of the Cowes to Monte Carlo Grand Prix on the opening day of the London Boat Show has been extremely encouraging.
Due to take place in June 2013, the 2,400-mile event will be the first major offshore powerboating marathon to be held since the first London to Monte Carlo in 1972.
This time, however, the race will be accompanied by a cruiser rally where competitors will be allowed to run during the hours of darkness resulting in a hare and tortoise contest.
Event Director Mike Lloyd, organiser of the 2008 Round Britain, has already received some 40 positive enquires from owners keen to compete.
But the most impressive entry at this early stage is American company Donzi Marine.
The company plans to design an entirely new 43ft (13.1m), five-seat open racer especially for the event and it is currently reviewing the best propulsion options.
The early inclusion of such a well-known company will almost certainly encourage other leading producers, particularly the Italians, to consider the event as a marketing platform.
Any builder with a large customer base along the Cote D’Azur would certainly turn heads with a model capable of safely covering a testing sea journey from the UK to Mediterranean.
