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25/08/2007 - Honda thrills crowd on the sunshine island

Thousands of people flocked to a sun drenched Cowes today (Saturday 25 August) to watch two spectacular action packed Honda Formula 4-Stroke Powerboat races. With everything to play for, the UK's largest offshore powerboat championship ensured it lived up to it's billing with spectators enjoying some thrilling racing.

As temperatures on land soared to 26°c, this penultimate race weekend was sure to produce a few surprises as competitors battled it out on the Solent. With fantastic views over the race course from Egypt Point, spectators witnessed exhilarating racing in both 150hp and 225hp championships.

In an eventful 150hp race, David Cowley and Chris Jary in 'Lings Racing' took their first ever win in the series ahead of current championship leaders Jerry McArthur and Jonny Twelvetrees in 'Salcombe Racing' and Jak Cockman and Andy Phipps in 'Cider Daze 150' who finished in second and third respectively.

"It was an amazing race," said Cowley. "The boat ran well in Lowestoft so we knew we had the performance to compete for a podium place in Cowes. It's fantastic to finally take top spot but we're already focussing on tomorrow's race."

Flying halfway around-the-world to compete in the 150hp class were, Chris Bartlett and Debbie Bartlett. The pair, who won New Zealand's Formula Honda Offshore Powerboat Championship, finished a solid race coming home in sixth place in 'Power of Dreams New Zealand'.

In an equally exciting 225hp race, Gavin Parsonage and Nathan Libby in 'Negotiator' took the chequered flag after a superb drive which saw them storm across the finish line ahead of local competitors Shelley Jory and Libby Keir in 'Team Raymarine'.

"We're thrilled with the result," said Parsonage. "Cowes is always a challenging race because the Solent creates unpredictable swells, so while we were hoping to capitalise on our good form, we couldn't be certain of a result."

Rupert Pugh and Danny Whitfield in 'ITV4 Fearless' worked their way through the field to secure the last podium position ahead of Rhys Evans and Haydn Evans in 'Salcombe Honda Specialists' who finished in fourth.

The remainder of the weekend promises some exhilarating racing with tomorrow's 150hp race starting at 10:00 followed by the 225hp race at 13:15.