Tough sea conditions for the Honda Formula 4-Stroke Powerboat series at Cowes took its toll
Tough sea conditions for the penultimate round of the Honda Formula 4-Stroke Powerboat series in Cowes over the weekend took its toll in both 150 and 225hp fleets. High swells and strong NW winds saw several teams struggling the survive what should have been a relatively easy contest.
The 150hp fleet were the first to face the challenge but despite a tough battle it was champagne corks for Premier Cru who secured first place in both Saturday and Sunday’s rounds. Neil Crabb, driver of Premier Cru said: “I used to come to Cowes as a kid to watch the powerboats and to win not one, but both races here is a dream come true. It was really was hairy out there but we have a really solid boat which got us through the high swells.”
Also taking the 150hp championship by storm were newcomers Lings Honda who shot to the top over the weekend taking third place on Saturday and second on Sunday making championship leaders, Claygate Bathrooms, fight for their place on the podium.
Meanwhile in the 225hp championship, the series saw many surprises with teams moving up and down the leader board after a weekend of spectacular racing that threw challenge after challenge at the competitors. Stopbox Lighting secured their place at the top, winning on Saturday with a runaway victory. Sunday saw father and son team Haydn and Rhys Evans in Evans Heritage Developments celebrate a dramatic maiden win after 45 minutes of rough racing which resulted in a number of teams retiring due to the harsh conditions. Forced to battle through high swells and winds, boats spent more time in the air than the water, but it was Fat Boy Racing who flew the most, taking a well deserved second place.
With only two races left the title is there for the taking as the Honda Formula 4-Stroke Series moves to Liverpool over the weekend of the 9-10 September for the final round of the 2006 season.
Cowes Grand Prix 2006 Provisional Race Results
Honda Formula 4-Stroke 150hp Series
Saturday – 8 Laps
1. Premier Cru Neil Crabb / Jonny Twelvetrees
2. Claygate Bathrooms Nick Clemson / Paul Trow-Smith
3. Lings Honda Paul Barkshire / Dave Cowley
4. Ebel 1911 BTR Graham Foster-Vigors / Lorenza Cavalli
5. X-Pole Clive Coote / Chris Hughes
6. Quality Job Tom Plant / James Plant
Honda Formula 4-Stroke 150hp Series
Sunday – 4 Laps
1. Premier Cru Neil Crabb / Jonny Twelvetrees
2. Lings Honda Paul Barkshire / Dave Cowley
3. Claygate Bathrooms Nick Clemson / Paul Trow-Smith
4. X-Pole Clive Coote / Chris Hughes
5. Quality Job Tom Plant / James Plant
6. Secure Computing
Points standings (after eight of ten races):
1. Claygate Bathrooms 83
2. Construction Racing 70
2. Premier Cru 70
4. Ebel 1911 BTR 64
Honda Formula 4-Stroke 225hp Series
Saturday – 8 Laps
1. Stopbox Lighting Jack Glendinning / Simon Bucknall
2. Heights of Abraham Rupert Pugh / Lee Derbyshire
3. Team Raymarine Shelley Jory / Libby Keir
4. Cider Daze II Mark Cockman / Jack Cockman
5. Don’t Panic! Phil Haynes / Peter Kingsbury
6. Negotiator Gavin Parsonage / Nathan Libby
Honda Formula 4-Stroke 225hp Series
Sunday – 5 Laps
1. Evans Heritage Developments Rhys Evans / Hadyn Evans
2. Fat Boy Racing Rob Lister / Will Knocker
3. Don’t Panic! Phil Haynes / Peter Kingsbury
4. Stopbox Lighting Jack Glendinning / Simon Bucknall
5. Team Mermaid Paul Charman / Andy Brown
6. English Heritage Buildings Darren Hook / Jason Wyatt
Points standings (after eight of ten races):
1. Stopbox Lighting 99
2. Negotiator 83
3. Team Raymarine 77
4. Evans Heritage Developments 71
