Gordon and Jordan step up to biggest test
Arguably the British Isles’ two best youth RIB drivers will take on the rest of the world in an international competition in Italy.
Fifteen-year-old Gordon Bamford and 11-year-old Jordan Muckles, who both won their classes in the 2007 Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship, have been called up to represent Great Britain at the UIM Formula Future World Championship.
The young experts will compete as part of the Honda RYA Formula Future team GBR.
The event held in Ravenna, Italy, in July, sees competitors from across the world compete for the overall title in their respective classes.
Gordon, from Fairlie in Scotland, who won the 13-16 age group, will compete in class 5 in a 3.6m centre console RIB with a 15hp outboard.
Jordan, from Fulwell in Sunderland, will race in class 3 which has an 8hp engine and tiller control.
To get his skills up to scratch before the competition, Jordan has been supplied with a practice boat courtesy of Honda.
Meanwhile Gordon has been making full use of the 4.8m Ribcraft he won at the Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship at the Southampton Boat Show last September.
Andrew Norton, RYA Motor Cruising Projects Manager said: “I am delighted that Gordon and Jordan have both been given the opportunity to take part in this international event.
“Both demonstrated fantastic skills in the RIB challenge and it’s great to see them progress to the next level.
“We will all have our fingers crossed that they do well.”
Formula Future puts competitors through a series of powerboating skill tests. It is aimed at RIBsters aged 8-17 from around the world.
As well as preparing for the UIM competition, both boys are practicing hard in order to come back and defend their titles in the 2008 Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship which kicks off in May.
