Powerboat Racers come from all walks of life and there are a variety of different classes throughout the sport, with varying levels of involvement and budgets to suit. However, the one thing that unites them all is the passion they have for the adrenaline fuelled sport.
The sport of Powerboat Racing is split into three disciplines Circuit Racing, Personal Watercraft Racing & Offshore Racing. From these three disciplines they are split into different classes depending on boat type, boat size and engine size.
Offshore Powerboat Racing in the UK is probably one of the best examples of an extreme water sport which is both challenging and highly competitive. There are several different levels of competitive racing which are designed to both encourage those new to the sport and to satisfy existing competitors at all levels. Offshore Powerboat Racing hosts a variety of classes that means powerboat racing becomes an affordable motorsport with budgets to suit any lifestyle.
Zapcat / Thundercat Racing – These lively little inflatable catamarans can race in a variety of conditions including in excess of 5ft surf. Similar to side car racing, the pilot and co-pilot work closely as a team to distribute their weight in the boat, to achieve maximum speed and manoeuvrability for optimum performance.
P1 SuperStock – The P1 SuperStock series is a strict one design championship and entices teams to enter because not only is it an affordable and exciting form of motorsport, but standardised machinery means that performance is based entirely on driver-navigator skill.
The series provide dramatic yet safe and affordable racing and has succeeded in introducing the average boating enthusiast to the thrilling world of powerboat racing with standardised machinery throughout.
Marathon Racing – Marathon Racing is the ultimate in Offshore Powerboat Racing, testing not only a team’s racing skill and prowess, but also their navigational ability, as well as the endurance of both the team and their boat.
Marathon racing started its humble beginnings in the 1960’s and rose to a pinnacle in the 1970’s / 80’s with the greatest race of all, the Round Britain Powerboat Race. This along with the Cowes-Torquay-Cowes Race provides some of the most testing racing conditions for both man and boat. Many different types and classes of boats can compete in individual races, on the same course, at the same time and depending on the class, speeds vary from 65mph to 125mph.
The United Kingdom Offshore Powerboat Racing Association (UKOPRA) was set-up in 2017 and staged its first race in Poole during September of that year. Since then, it has acted as the governing body for offshore powerboat racing in the UK and has overseen championships in every season excluding 2020, which was affected by health restrictions. The association sets the rules for racing, determines class categories, and procures insurance for the events.
The 2023 UKOPRA Offshore Championship will be competed for over 6 rounds at venues including Poole, Hamble, Falmouth, Cowes, and Southampton.
Cornish 100 Trophy
Near to the home of our Cornish office, on the 28 & 29 July Falmouth will host a leg of the UKOPRA Offshore Powerboat Race Championship. This will be the second consecutive offshore powerboat race event organised and managed by the Eastwood Racing team locally located in Penryn. The 2022 event was a great triumph, even though it was the last race of the calendar and just going into the winter season. Fifteen boats from class 1 to class 3 raced in Falmouth and successfully represented their respective classes. This year looks set to be bigger and better with more boats competing and more onshore participation.
Spectators will be able to watch the start of the race in Falmouth as the boats speed through Carrick Roads between Black Rock and Pendennis Point and watch them go offshore. The main racing will be on Saturday 29th July with Sunday 30th as backup if the weather postpones the race on Saturday. On Friday the 28th July there may be a chance to get up close to some of the boats to see them, more details of this and the timings of the race will be shared on the Eastwood Racing Facebook page closer to the event.
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