Let us spray

The two classes race separately around circuits that are usually situated close to the shoreline to provide the public with the best possible vantage points. There is no shortage of overtaking and “aerial” action, as the boats power through the water at speeds of more than 100mph. A far cry from those early days when boats generating 75hp were pushing speeds of 20mph plus – and winning!

“A Grand Prix weekend is as much about the off-water entertainment as it is about the racing,” continues Wilby. “It has the atmosphere, glamour and competitiveness of any major international motorsport, but none of the pretence so often associated with much of the sport. And we are able to mix freely with the public. We visit exotic places with plenty of sunshine, which probably creates a more relaxed and friendly environment for everyone.

“Our races in Valletta, Malta, and Portimão, Portugal, are already great favourites for a long weekend. And Marseille, which is hosting a P1 event for the first time over the weekend of 23–25 May, is definitely one to visit. It’s a historic setting, with great food and nightlife, sunshine, sea and the Powerboat P1 French Grand Prix of the Sea. What more could you want from a weekend away?”

The Race Calendar

Don’t miss the action!

> MAY 9/10/11 - San Benedetto del Tronto, Italy
> MAY 23/24/25 - Marseille, France
> JUNE 6/7/8 - Valletta, Malta
> JULY 11/12/13 - Hammamet, Tunisia
> SEP 12/13/14 - Vigo, Spain
> SEP 26/27/28 - Portimão, Portugal
> OCT 23/24/25 - Manama, Bahrain

The Pilots

Powerboat P1 attracts a unique and growing band of pilots – fit, driven and highly skilled in the art of seamanship and high-speed motorsport. This collection of rich talent from around the world combines a love for the sea with a passion for high speeds, competition and danger.

If your impression of powerboat racing is of a sport that remains the preserve of the ultra rich, think again! The strict rules and regulations of P1 and its global TV coverage have attracted professional powerboat racers to compete alongside and against the gentleman racer. Predominantly, but not exclusively male, these skilled and charismatic pilots are reminiscent of the heart and soul of motorsport’s illustrious history, a refreshing alternative to the racers that currently predominate four-wheeled motorsport.

Each boat has a minimum of two pilots: a throttleman, regulating the speed of the boat, and a driver, who will normally double-up as navigator. It’s arguable which one is more important to the overall performance of the craft, although Ed Williams-Hawkes, one of the UK’s most celebrated powerboat racers, is in no doubt. He says: “The throttleman is the most important crew member, as he or she has to make the boat travel as fast as possible while reading the sea ahead. Anyone can make a boat go fast, but only very special people can make them dance across the water!”

A Class Act

Open to petrol- and diesel-powered craft, P1 offers two categories of racing – Evolution and SuperSport. The Evolution Class, for prototype craft up to 43ft in length, has no speed limit, although power-to-weight restrictions ensure safe and competitive racing. The SuperSport Class is for standard production model hulls and engines that must not exceed a top speed of 85mph.

Evolution’s Leading Lady

Shelley Jory, 38, from Southampton, England, will become the first ever woman to compete in the Evolution class of Powerboat P1 when she joins forces with the American powerboat team Lucas Oil, to compete in 2008. Jory, a previous winner of the Honda Formula 4-Stroke Series, is one of the UK’s leading powerboat racers and top female competitors. She will race a 1400hp Mercurypowered Skater V399 Superboat, with team owner and throttleman Nigel Hook.

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