Close racing in the Honda Formula 4-Stroke series off Douglas, IOM, over the weekend.
The Honda Formula 4-Stroke Powerboat Series saw close racing in the third and fourth rounds of the 150hp and 225hp championships off Douglas, IOM, over the weekend.
After a convincing win on Saturday, Neil Crabb and Lee Darbyshire driving Premier Cru battled it out with Nick Clemson and Paul Trow-Smith in Airwaves Claygate for ten action packed laps to split the top two podium places by a mere second. It was the 2005and 2006 150hp class champion, Airwaves Claygate, that finally took the chequered flag preventing the Premier Cru team winning their fourth consecutive race of the season.
“It was the closest race I’ve competed in,” said Trow-Smith. Premier Cru worked us really hard and it was neck to neck racing right up to the finish. We’re delighted with the win but there’s still a lot of work to do before the next rounds in Lowestoft.”
In a dramatic 225hp race, Saturday’s winners and championship leaders Gavin
Parsonage and Nathan Libby worked their way through the fleet in Negotiator to secure top spot on the podium.
“After this weekend we’re feeling really positive,” said Libby. “We were lucky to
finish ahead of Team Raymarine and Salcombe Honda Specialist whose crew always put up a good fight.”
“Traditionally Douglas Bay has always delivered some great racing and this weekend was no exception,” said Martin Sanders, General Manager Power Equipment, Honda (UK). “The island is a truly fantastic location for racing. With more turns than any other Honda Formula 4-Stroke course, competition was extremely close, particularly in the 150hp race.”
From Douglas Bay the series moves to Lowestoft which plays host to the fifth
and sixth rounds of 2007 championship on 26/27 July.
