Grand Prix of the Sea

HULL GRAND PRIX OF THE SEA

21-22 June 2014 23,000-STRONG CROWD WATCH THRILLING RACE ACTION AS P1 RACERS TAKE TO THE HUMBER

Record number of race fans bask in sunshine as the P1 SuperStock and AquaX Championships visit Hull for a fourth consecutive year

GD Environmental cleans who also compete in the P1 series in the USA, will be looking to continue up in Hull with hat-trick their winning run when they race in of victories home waters at the P1 Welsh Grand Prix happy to finish in third after a difficult of the Sea later this month. weekend. It’s onwards and upwards Carrying the name of his own Beverley-born former SuperStock from here as we look to extend our South Wales-based waste management champion John Wilson ended the championship lead.” company, James Norvill drove GD Envi- Grand Prix in second place thanks to The new Typhoo crew of father-and- ronmental Services superbly to record three solid performances – finishing son Scott and Dale Williams performed three wins in the second round of the 2nd, 3rd and 5th – despite having vibra- well in the P1 debut to finish fourth. P1 SuperStock UK Championship in tion problems with his Pertemps boat. After an encouraging start to the Hull this weekend. With fellow Welsh- “I’m happy with second” commented season, the Bournemouth boat of Stu- man Charlie Parsons-Young alongside Wilson. “We were down on power all art and Sara Cureton finished seventh him, Norvill erased the memory of a weekend, so we had to use every trick overall after being disqualified in the disappointing performance in Bour- in the book and were running on the second race for failing to take the long nemouth at the start of the month to ragged edge.” lap at the start. Lycamobile Racing was put his 2014 title challenge firmly back IFX Racing’s run of victories came in the thick of it all weekend. After on track. to an end, but consistent finishes gave being disqualified in the opening race “The work we’ve done on the boat them third spot on the podium and for making contact with another boat, since the opening round has certainly driver Nick Williams was in a positive the team finished fourth and third in paid off and it should only get better mood as he headed home to Bucking- the next two races and driver Arran now” said Norvill. The Newport pairing, hamshire: “It’s just a blip and we are Scott from Dorset explained : “I am still getting used to the boat and the way people race.”

Despite finishing at the bottom of the field, the local crew of Dave Taft and Gavin Feldt received huge praise for their weekend’s work in the Hull Speed Ahead boat. The aim is to achieve a podium place before the end of the season and the boys did Hull proud in front of the Humberside crowd lining the waterfront.

Yamaha riders take the AquaX honours as the Humber serves up testing conditions

300 Class championship leader Above: P1 Panther race boats prepare to enter the lock at Hull Marina after racing on Sunday. The fleet of one-design Phil Pope dominated in Hull in the P1 boats provided a great spectacle for thousands of fans whp lined the waterfront to watch the racing. AquaX series, winning a hat-trick of races on his Yamaha FZS SVHO as the tough conditions took their toll. “It did really rough up in that last race” said Phil “but I wasn’t holding back. I was trying hard and I don’t like losing, and I am enjoying the P1 AquaX experience Twenty three riders contested the brutal conditions on the Humber to serve up a feast of thrilling race action with many different race leaders over the two days. Tim Batte finished rd3 overall after leading both races before dropping back with arm pump. “I think I have led every race this year” said a bitterly disappointed Tim. “I love the rough conditions, and I know I have the speed to win.” Spectators were treated to a spec- tacular battle between Cable and Pope in Race 3 before Cable came a cropper Above: Christian parsons Young and James Norvill raced their GD Environmental Services P1 Panther to victory in all in the waves. “It was getting rougher three SuperStock races - the pair from Newport lie third in the overall championship standings. and rougher and I just came off” said Cable, who had to wait for feeling to return to his hand before remounting the ski and continuing. Huddleston and Goodchild were in contention, and Goodchild picked up a 3rd and 2nd in race 3. “The ski is still not 100%, it feels down on power,” said Goodchild “but I thought I would continue and pick up the points.” Pope kept a consistent pace throughout, preferring to choose his battles rather than sprint to the first pin. His ‘hare and the tortoise’ approach paid off to earn him his first AquaX hat-trick of class wins. Local rider Steve Robinson finished in 2nd place having enjoyed riding with the front of Above: Podium celebrations as Steve Robinson and Phil Pope enjoy the sweet taste of champagne after a gruelling the pack in all three races. “It has been weekend of AquaX racing on the Humber. really hard work this weekend, but I finally got to grips with the new ski, and the local support has been fantastic” said a delighted Steve. “The new ski has finally broken EVENT OVERALL ME in!” Duncan Johnstone headed up the 250 class overall at the end of the weekend af- RESULTS STANDINGS ter securing two second place finishes and a victory in the last race. Saturday’s class winner Richard Rowe retired with me- chanical issues after leading the first part of race 2. An elated Duncan said “Yaaaay, finally the Dude gets a win! It’s been a long 1. GD ENVIRONMENTAL 60 PTS 1. IFX RACING 104 PTS time coming but I knew I had to get a win 2. PERTEMPS 45 PTS 2. PERTEMPS 94 PTS this weekend!” Robert Higgs also put in consistent performances in all three races 3. IFX RACING 44 PTS 3. GD ENVIRONMENTAL 89 PTS to finish 2nd overall and Bournemouth 4. TYPHOO 37 PTS 4. TYPHOO 79 PTS winner Steve Hockney enjoyed a win in race 2 but retired from race 3 with me- 5. VISIT WALES 33 PTS 5. BOURNEMOUTH 77 PTS chanical problems to end up 3rd overall. 6. ALLAM MARINE 33 PTS 6. VISIT WALES 69 PTS In the 200 class Damien Evans also secured three wins from three races, de- 7. BOURNEMOUTH 32 PTS 7. ARTHUR J. GALLAGHER 67 PTS spite still nursing his Bournemouth battle 8. ARTHUR J. GALLAGHER 31 PTS 8. LYCAMOBILE RACING 66 PTS bruises. “It’s like the moment when you 9. LYCAMOBILE RACING 27 PTS 9. ALLAM MARINE 60 PTS find the curly wurly in the glove box - I am really pleased with the weekend’s result” 10. HULL SPEED AHEAD 26 PTS 10. HULL SPEED AHEAD 53 PTS said Evans. Dave Lee showed he has what it takes to run at the front of the class, picking 2nd overall. “I gave it my all in race 2 and, with the races so close together, it was all I could do to hang on in the final race” said Lee. Shipley had to settle for third overall after a big moment in race 2 and going for a swim in race 3. “It has been 200 CLASS - TOP 5 200 CLASS - TOP 5 damage limitation this weekend” said a smiling Shipley. “ “The Humber is always 1. DAMIAN EVANS 60 PTS 1. DAMIAN EVANS 114 PTS so unpredictable as you get side-swiped 2. DAVE LEE 47 PTS 2. MAT SHIPLEY 103 PTS by the waves, but I will have to see if I can 3. MAT SHIPLEY 46 PTS 3. JOHN HEATH 90 PTS claw back some points next round!” 4. JOHN HEATH 45 PTS 4. DAVE LEE 86 PTS Coverage of the Hull Grand Prix of the 5. RORY COLLINGBOURNE 39 PTS 5. RORY COLLINGBOURNE 81 PTS Sea will be broadcast on Sky Sports on 16 July at 8.00pm with repeats later that night and throughout the following day. The P1 Welsh Grand Prix of the Sea will 250 CLASS - TOP 5 250 CLASS - TOP 5 take place in Cardiff Bay on the weekend 1. DUNCAN JOHNSTONE 54 PTS 1. DUNCAN JOHNSTONE 106 PTS of 27/27 July. 2. ROBERT HIGGS 47 PTS 2. ROBERT HIGGS 93 PTS 3. STEVE HOCKNEY 34 PTS 3. STEVE HOCKNEY 88 PTS 4. RICHARD ROWE 34 PTS 4. RICHARD ROWE 51 PTS 5. RYAN O’CONNER 28 PTS 5. NEIL GRENNELL 42 PTS

300 CLASS - TOP 5 300 CLASS - TOP 5 1. PHIL POPE 60 PTS 1. PHIL POPE 114 PTS 2. STEVE ROBINSON 45 PTS 2. TIM BATTE 88 PTS 3. TIM BATTE 41 PTS 3. RICHARD CABLE 85 PTS Above: Freestyle jetski star Jack Moule thrilled the crowds in Hull with his performance. In 2008, Jack became the 4. RICHARD CABLE 41 PTS 4. STEVE ROBINSON 80 PTS British National Freestyle Champion in both the amateur 5. ROBERT SIMPSON 36 PTS 5. JIM GOODCHILD 75 PTS and professional classes, just 18 months after he was considered old enough to ride his own jetski.

SPONSORS PLAY THEIR PART Among those enjoying the racing were a number of P1 sponsors and partners. Omar Khan, global head of sponsorship and events at Lycamobile, travelled from London to support Lycamobile Racing as the team looks to make a mark in its first season of P1 competition in the UK and USA.

“Sponsoring a SuperStock race boat is a great business deal for us” explained Omar in a TV interview before the opening race. “We have a very strong partnership with P1 that includes sponsorship of the new AquaX World Rankings. Our two com- panies are similar in many ways, with great energy, ambition and entrepreneurial spirit, and we are enjoying working together to activate this exciting partnership. I will be heading down the M4 next month to cheer on our boat in Cardiff in the P1 Welsh Grand Prix of the Sea.”

HULL BUSINESSES TAKE WHAT MAKES RACING IN TO THE WATER HULL SPECIAL?

The economy of Hull was built on trading and seafaring, P1 chief operating officer, Robert Wicks, knows the with monks having built a quay at the junction of the answer. He explains that P1 took the decision to race rivers Hull and Humber as long ago as the late 12th in Hull more than four years ago because the city already century, and that affinity between business and the had a great reputation for staging quality marine sport water continues today in the shape of the city’s Hull events and there was a very good fit to extend this Speed Ahead race boat. An imaginative buy-a-boat into powerboat racing. Furthermore, P1 events had campaign, fuelled by social media and championed historically been based along the south coast of England by Hull Bondholders, resulted in businesses in the East so it was a welcome opportunity to take the sport to a Humberside area combining last year to fund an entry different part of the country. in the P1 SuperStock UK Championship and the boat sponsorship is continuing this season. “Right from the word go P1 was made to feel very welcome on Humberside and the city has the right mix The initiative has generated considerable publicity and of infrastructure and services needed for staging a P1 networking opportunities for the city and its businesses, race event” explains Wicks. “Today the Hull Grand Prix of including television coverage on Sky Sports across the the Sea has become a regular fixture on the P1 calendar race series, and a recent schools competition to name and the SuperStock and Aquax series have developed a the boat was opened up to the wider region. Esther strong following in the area.” Damary-Thompson from Hull Speed Ahead said: “We’ve had a great response from the local business community Over the past four years the large crowds have made it and it feels good to know that so many people outside a special venue for the competitors and very reward- Hull are equally passionate about the powerboat. The ing for P1 as a promoter to see the growing interest competition to name the boat was won by a school from and enthusiasm. “The race location in Hull offers some North East Lincolnshire and we think the name ‘Hul- of the best viewing for fans and, with the backdrop of labaloo’ fitted perfectly. The Hull Speed Ahead crew of The Deep and the Humber Bridge together with great Dave Taft and Gavin Feldt visited the winning school and on-shore facilities, an easily accessible top class marina presented VIP tickets for the Hull Grand Prix weekend. and outstanding local support, it’s a venue that we all Peter Aarosin, Chair of the The Bondholders Scheme, an enjoy visiting each year” adds almost 200-strong network of businesses who work to- Wicks. “The strong current in gether to bolster the region’s positioning on the national the Humber Estuary always and international stage, commented: “It’s excellent news brings an extra challenge to that a Hull boat is competing again this year in the P1 se- the racing and, of course, the ries. Taking part is great for the local economy as it brings success achieved in Hull is thousands of people into Hull for a wonderful festival of very much linked to the city racing. It’s an excellent way to promote Hull across the having its own branded boat UK and beyond.” in the race series.” FUN FOR COMPETITION WINNERS Competition winners from Sky Sports, Hull Daily Mail and local radio station KCFM took to the Humber on Friday morning of the event weekend to enjoy a full speed ride with the local team Hull Speed Ahead piloted by Dave Taft. The winners Gary Cooper, Peter Andrews and Helen Simpson - all from the local area - enjoyed a blast down to the Humber Bridge to experience the thrill of a P1 Panther.

There was huge local interest in the ‘Hull Speed Ahead’ team: the crew were inter- viewed on local radio and were in the local media spotlight all week. Hull Speed Ahead navigator Gavin Feldt told us: “We were feeling the pressure this weekend, as all eyes were on our boat. We have shown we have got what it takes to compete - all we have to do is nail our starts.” CATCH ALL THE P1 ACTION Bournemouth: Round 1 25 June at 8.00pm on Sky Sports 4 plus repeats later that night and the following morning

Hull: Round 2 16 July at 8.00pm on Sky Sports 4 plus repeats later that night and throughout the following day

“I’m delighted that P1 has returned 2014 P1 INTERNATIONAL RACE CALENDAR to the Humber and once again it Daytona, Florida – 26/27 April proved hugely popular. The event Stuart, Florida – 17/18 May was a real spectacle for those Bournemouth, Dorset – 31 May/1 June enjoying the racing and soaking Jacksonville, Florida – 7/8 June up the atmosphere. It is also great Hull, Yorkshire – 21/22 June to see the city represented with our local boat, Hull Speed Ahead, Tampa, Florida – 12/13 July and to see the support Cardiff, Wales – 26/27 July of people lining Torquay, Devon – 9/10 August the waterfront.” Cocoa Beach, Florida – 23/24 August Gosport, Hampshire – 6/7 September Councillor Nadine Fudge St Cloud, Florida – 20/21 September The Right Worshipful the Lord Mayor of Kingston upon Hull and Admiral of the Humber