Lowestoft course provied a tough challenge for the Honda fleet over the weekend
Featuring a long, fast straight which runs along the beachfront at Lowestoft, the inaugural Honda Formula 4-Stroke race course at this venue provided close competition over the weekend for the fifth and sixth rounds of the championship.
In an action packed 150hp race, Jerry McArthur and Jonny Twelvetrees put in another stunning performance in Salcombe Racing to take the chequered flag for the second time after winning Saturday’s fifth round. In an exciting battle for second place local boys David Cowley and Chris Jary in Lings Racing wowed the crowds with a stunning last lap performance clinching the second podium place from brothers Tom Plant and James Plant in Quality Job on the very last corner.
“It’s been a fantastic weekend,” said Cowley. “We had hoped for a slightly better start but we pushed hard from the word go. On lap seven I decided to race in clear water instead of trailing directly behind the Quality Job boys as it was obvious we weren’t making any ground on them, and it paid off. The last lap was amazing and the reaction from the crowd was fantastic.”
In an eventful 225hp race, Jack Glendinning and Simon Bucknall in Airwaves Claygate made a great start snatching the lead from Saturday’s winners Nathan Libby and Gavin Parsonage in Negotiator.
In a run down to the first corner, Darren Hook and David Harwood in English Heritage Buildings, who found themselves towards the front of the group, hit a rogue wave and rolled their boat – the marine equivalent of a spin-out – in the path of the oncoming fleet. Action continued until lap five when race organisers curtailed the race as a result of deteriorating sea conditions.
“Powerboat racing like any form of motorsport encourages a competitive racing edge,” said Rory Power, Officer of the Day.
“As officials we have to take responsibility and make decisions on behalf of the drivers’ safety. The sea conditions were great but sometimes the North Sea can be a bit too much, even for us.”
“It’s been a truly fantastic weekend of racing,” said Martin Sanders, General Manager, Honda (UK) Power Equipment. “This is the first time we’ve linked up with an event the size of the Lowestoft Air Festival and it’s been a great success. The last four days have offered visitors spectacular forms of entertainment on land, sea and air.”
From Lowestoft the series moves to Cowes, which forms part of The British Grand Prix of the sea, for the seventh and eight rounds of 2007 championship on 25/26 August.
