Fast-paced powerboat racing to hit Carr Mill Dam this weekend

Over September 14 and 15, Lancashire Powerboat Racing Club is hosting the third and final round of the Circuit Powerboat Association (CPA) British National Powerboat Championships at Carr Mill Dam.

Powerboat racers from across the UK will be competing in the spectacular, adrenaline fuelled two-day motorsport event.

This fast-paced weekend of on-water action, will start on Saturday morning with a qualifying session for each of the five different powerboat race classes. Each class will complete the timed qualifying session to decide who can grab the all-important pole position for the race.

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After qualifying each class will take part in two races on Saturday afternoon, this will then be followed by another two races on Sunday.

The weekend of racing will be rounded off with the all-important podiums where the teams will be awarded their trophies for not only for this event, but as it’s the National racing season finale, the 2024 CPA British National Powerboat Champions will also be named.

Boats at the start of the 2023 event (Image: Simon Edwards)

Lancashire Powerboat Racing Club Commodore, Bill Owen said: “We’re excited to be hosting the third and final round of the CPA National Championship 2024 at Carr Mill Dam.

"With this being the final round this year we have the added bonus of naming the overall National Champions for each class.

"We have a full and packed programme. We’re very much looking forward to seeing all the action on the water and some great close racing over the weekend.”

The schedule

Each day the on water action is scheduled to commence from 10:30am, with an hour break for lunch and concluding around 5pm.

Where to watch

You can watch the event for free and even have a front row seat to see the action up close, by visiting ‘The Dam, Bar and Grill’, on Garswood Old Road.

Spectators are asked to be aware that usual on-site parking at ‘The Dam, Bar and Grill’  is restricted to competitors, their teams and officials during the race weekend. Emergency vehicle access is required at all times.

James Bowman, from Lowestoft, at Carr Mill Dam during the 2023 event (Image: Mike Gauckwin)

Alternatively, spectators can line the banks of Carr Mill Dam, in one of the many vantage points although its recommended that everyone stays at least 5 metres back from the edge, and we’d also like to take this opportunity to remind anybody attending that motorsport can be dangerous.

The Competitors and Classes

GT15 – 15hp monohull style boats driven by 9-16 year olds, reaching speeds of around 35mph.

Race Number

Driver

Lives

#9

Jared Duncan

Ipswich

#21

Riley Hudson

Lowestoft

#23

Tate Mantripp

Lowestoft

#88

Poppy Stewart

Lowestoft

 

These young racers have had some brilliant on the water battles so far this season and the overall championship title is still wide open and up for the taking by any of these youngsters.

Fresh from her debut international competitive racing where she put in a great performance, Poppy Stewart has returned to the UK and is currently leading the British championship. Can poppy hold on to the lead or will one of the boys - Jared Duncan, Riley Hudson and Tate Mantripp find the extra speed and have what it takes to fight back and challenge for the championship title.

GT30 – 30hp monohull style boats driven by those aged 14+ capable of speeds in the region of 45-50mph.

Race Number

Driver

Lives

#1

Ashley Penfold

Lowestoft

#2

Mason Jessup

Lowestoft

#6

Jonny Brewer

Lincoln

#8

Darrel Hibbert

Lowestoft

#18

George Elmore

Kent

#21

Brad Leeson

Lowestoft

#24

Madelyn Duncan

Ipswich

#57

Steve Olney

Cambridge

 

This promises to be one of the classes to watch this weekend with so many boats in the mix, the competition promises to be ‘hot’ and the racing is likely to be extremely close between all 8 race boats. Who do you think can claim the victory and the overall championship? Will it be Jonny Brewer who is currently leading the championship by just one point, or will Mason Jessop take control and claim the win.

In addition there will also be two experienced GT30 drivers returning to join in the fun. This includes last year’s overall championship winner - Ashley Penfold, and George Elmore, who is also re-joining this class for the first time this season. Both of these returning drivers will be keen to lead the large field of boats and claim the win on their come-back to this competitive class.

T850 monohull boat number seven, Lancashire Powerboat Racing Club’s Commodore, Bill Owen (Image: Phil Topping Photography)

OSY400  - The driver lies flat in these hydroplane boats that skim across the top of the water, reaching speeds of around 60mph.

Race Number

Driver

Lives

#14

Jason Peak

Lowestoft

#16

Jamie Elmy

Lowestoft

#37

James Bowman

Lowestoft

#67

Ben Sallis

Lowestoft

#73

Brian Shulver

Lowestoft

 

All of the OSY 400 drivers in this class are making the long journey from Lowestoft in Suffolk, to join in the racing at Carr Mill Dam this weekend. This will be a really exciting class to watch as these phenomenal boats skim across the top of the water. Will James Bowman be able to maintain his dominance to complete the National Championship with another faultless drive and yet another win? Or will another of the Lowestoft and Oulton Broad Motor Boat Racing Club (LOMBRC) competitors claim the accolade and pick the top spot and challenge for the overall championship title.

T850 – 70hp monohull boats capable of speeds around 60-65mph.

Race Number

Driver

Lives

#7

Bill Owen

Wigan

#16

Nigel Edwards

Bedford

#49

Mark Williams

Lowestoft

#72

Steve Cash

Stockport

 

Local drivers Bill Owen and Steve Cash will be keen to take advantage of racing on their home water and close the gap on current championship leader Mark Williams. Nigel Edwards will also be chasing them down, will he be able to find the extra power and speed and make a challenge for the victory..

Formula 2 – Mercury 2.5 Litre OptiMax 200XS engine powered boats. These are the flagship class of UK powerboat racing, these awesome catamaran boats can reach speeds of an incredible 120mph

Race Number

Driver

Lives

#10

Chris Loney

Cumbria

#30

Sam Whittle

Hampshire

#40

Steve Hoult

Northumbria

#44

Lewis Houben

Hampshire

 

There are four entries for this impressive and high speed class. With the British championship still being wide open will it be Sam Whittle, Steve Hoult or Lewis Houben who claims the victory, or can local driver Chris Loney use his home advantage and show them how it’s done?

With international racing commitments clashing with a LPRC event there are a few regular members who race the F2 boats missing. Mette Berkness and Matthew Palfreyman are racing in Portugal, where they are competing in the F2 World Championship.