Team Raymarine driver tests her right hook
BBC Children In Need auction winner Charles Carter survived the prize of a lifetime with top powerboater Shelley Jory.
In November 2006 Charles successfully bid in the BBC’s Children In Need campaign for a full training day with Team Raymarine, together with VIP hospitality at a chosen Honda Race Day.
Team Raymarine driver Shelley Jory, navigator Libby Keir and the shore team pulled out all the stops to make the prize as memorable as possible when Charles met the team for the first part of the prize last Sunday.
What Charles was not expecting was an early morning visit to the gym with Shelley, where he donned boxing gloves and tested the popular Southampton driver’s right hook.
Then it was off to the classroom with Libby and the team’s powerboat trainer Neil Holmes. Neil explained the techniques and tactics of powerboat racing and the importance of team work needed from a professional race team in the Honda Formula 4-Stroke series.
Charles learnt all about the role of the navigator/ co-driver, lessons he would need for the afternoon ahead.
The team then stocked up on energy with lunch at Banana Wharf in Ocean Village. Then it was out onto the water for the real test of the day.
Charles was safely in the navigator’s seat and with Shelley at the wheel the Honda 225hp raceboat was then put through its paces as Neil and Libby simulated a race using the Evolution RIB as a pursuit boat.
Charles reportedly enjoyed the experience and “cannot wait” for the second part of his auction prize – a day at one of the rounds of the Honda Formula 4-Stroke series. Charles has chosen the Isle of Man where he will witness the starts of all the races from the start boat and will fly the chequered flag to acknowledge the winning drivers.
