British offshore team heads out with confidence
After many hours preparing their outfit, British team owner/throttleman Richard Carr and driver Paul Sinclair of Honeyparty.com, now feel they are ready to face the competition when the 2008 P1 championship series opens in San Benedetto del Tronto, Italy on May 9-11. Before bringing their specially designed American Skater 399 to the UK earlier this year the team won the American Offshore Super Series Vee Extreme class World and National Championships. Hence their confidence is high.
“To ensure the boat is running at optimal performance and to assess any potential problems we have been testing in the Bournemouth Bay area using a circuit between Boscombe and Bournemouth Piers,” explains Team Manager Mark Pascoe. “Using the same course each time allows us to closely monitor and test the set-up of our engines, propellers and polish our technique, guaranteeing both boat and crew has the best possible advantage.”
“The testing sessions have been a great chance for Richard and me to get back in the boat and hone our skills in a variety of sea conditions,” comments Paul Sinclair, driver of Honeyparty.com. “Seeing how we have progressed has been a confidence boost after spinning-out at Key West, Florida last year.”
Supporting the pair are Team Manager and second driver Mark Pascoe, who has many years experience managing race teams. Crew Chief, Trevor Leigh – who has worked with Tekne Lamborghini, Victory and Honda UK – and Assistant Mechanic Danny Armon also have a wealth of experience.
“I am extremely pleased with the way the boat is running and am confident in the team’s abilities,” says Richard Carr. “Having such support has been invaluable throughout the testing and I’m in no doubt that they will continue to aid the team’s successes during the P1 World Championship.”
The team’s engines are to be returned to Tommy Hofstetter’s workshop in the United States for final tune-up before the start of the P1 World series.
