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THE COWES
TORQUAY 2008 by
Mike James.
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The Thunderbolt Challenge Trophy |
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>>29th August
I am pleased to
announce (belatedly) that the 2nd major
trophy to be presented to the historic class
racers this year was the “Thunderbolt
Challenge Trophy” won by the team of Charlie
and Tom Williams Hawkes and their Revenger
TFO. |
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The trophy was a last
minute addition to the prize list of the
Cowes Torquay as it was still being
constructed the previous week. I had long
ago decided that salvaged items from
Thunderbolt’s restoration could be turned in
to a trophy representing the sports first
winner of the first race and this is the end
item. |
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Tom
and Charlie on the Squadron Lawn
with their prize. |
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will explain all the details
built into the trophy. |
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The main section is a
remnant of her original
transom from the port
topside where her nameplate
was. |
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The figure 3 cut into the
end was her race number. |
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The back of this section is
left unfinished to show the
extent of the rot suffered
in this area. |
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The shape is as the boat
yard cut it out but it has
been tidied up and edges
shaped. |
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The plaque on the right is a
reproduction of the 1961
finishers plaque. |
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The stripes are her racing
colours. |
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The chrome support is a
piece of a stanchion bolt. |
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The base is a piece of ply
from new wood used to
rebuild the cabin, its shape
is as it was cut,
fortunately it resembles the
no 1 representing her 1st
place and it also points
east the direction of the
first race over the RYS
start line. |
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The vertical row of dots are
screw shanks from salvaged
screws and represent the RYS
start line. |
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Lastly her name in Blue and
Gold as it was and is again. |
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sincerely hope that next
year, the trophy will be
awarded with a cash prize.
It may not be silver but it
is unique and hopefully will
become a sought after prize
by the historic entrants.
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The Race. |
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>>29th August
It was touch and go when P1 reneged on the
running of this famous race after holding
the licence for 5 years but into the breach
stepped Mike Lloyd in conjunction with the
BPRC and the day was saved, 28 entries took
the full course to Ore Rock and back after
starting from North Head Buoy off Hurst.
The unusual start
location was due to difficulties with the
Solent authorities and the “ELF and Safety
brigade…..still the water was good the wind
fair and there was sun till about 11 am when
a weather front moved in, unfortunately not
enough to upset the sea conditions which
favoured the greyhounds and left the big
guys playing catch up, most noticeably of
course Gee, Team 747 and Ocean Pirate but
there was a newcomer to the Historic class,
the Williams-Hawkes brothers in their 25 ft
Revenger TFO. |
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Cowes Torquay
Cowes start 2008 - Photo Beken of Cowes |
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The other major dice of interest to club
members was that between the beautifully
prepared Cinzano no 558 and Silverline , on
the return leg as they entered the Solent it
was Cinzano that held 4th place
and she was a sight to behold with a rooster
tail of the like never seen before but then
drama, relying soley on their electronic
plotters they shot through the finish gate
off Cowes but received no flag! They had
done a Lucky Moppie and missed the marker,
although this was questionable, there was a
fast tide running and one of the Markers was
lying flat in the water under control of a
safety boat, they realised their error, took
it on the chin, spun round and re-entered
the gate behind Silverline to take 5th
not bad for a famous classic from the early
80’s but a shame after such a good showing. |
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The drama continued as
GEE and 747 approached the line after being
more than evenly matched in the light
conditions and both stopping to assist a
competitor in distress, as they approached
the finish gate neck and neck , 747 suddenly
stalled, Gee swept passed as 747 picked up
again but to no avail as 747 finished in a
time 1 second faster than Gee! Both teams
though had a shock awaiting them when it
transpired that the Williams-Hawkes brothers
in the 20 year old 25 foot Revenger TFO had
found ideal conditions and romped home in 14th
place. |
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First boat home was
another unique craft, Fabio Buzzi’s bewinged
monohull, CESA, now masquerading as Red FPT. |
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Due to the vast array
of trophies offered for this re staging of
the race the old girls walked away with some
substantial bits of silver ware. |
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Cinzano took "King
Georges Fund for Sailors Trophy" for best
presented entry. |
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Cinzano -
Photo Beken of Cowes |
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GEE took
"First Lady Driver"
for
Shelly Jory. |
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GEE - Photo
Beken of Cowes |
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Team 747 took the "Lombard
North Central Trophy" for Concours
d'Elegance. |
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747 - Photo
Beken of Cowes |
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TFO took the brand new Thunderbolt Challenge
Trophy. |
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TFO - Photo
Beken of Cowes |
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Ok you guys it is now down to you get those
golden oldies ready for the new season lets
show them what were made of! |
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Thanks to all competitors and the organisers
for putting the CTC back on the map! |
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>>23rd
August
OK it's
Bank Holiday, it will probably rain, be windy, don't let
that stop you for we will have just cause for celebration!
The Cowes Torquay, the BIG ONE is back, I urge every member
who can to get down to Hurst Castle on Saturday morning the
23rd (check it is not delayed due to weather though first)
and witness the rebirth of a legend. |
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assure you and if you do make sure you save the loudest
cheers for GEE, TEAM 747, OCEAN PIRATE and the mighty
CINZANO as they make history racing against today's modern
race boats. Gee is also making history again by competing
with a Lady on board, none other than Shelly Jory, perhaps a
good omen as Ted Greenhall always raced with his wife on
board and finished well up the field. |
| Wishing you all a good days racing
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| URGENT TO ALL MEMBERS |
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| You are probably aware of attempts
to ensure the CTC runs after the pull out by P1. |
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| If you are able to offer land
based or safety boat assistance or any other help to ensure
this race happens on August Bank Holiday please contact
either
Mike Lloyd
or myself
Mike James |
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| DO NOT LET THIS RACE DIE, IT CAN
RUN, IT WILL RUN |
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| IT MUST RUN! |
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>>23rd July
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"JUNE
21st 2008" |
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Saturday morning I was up early,
raring to go and was at Keyhaven
by 8.45 am, giving me plenty of
time to walk to Hurst Castle. It
appears I was not alone either,
in all around 200 people were
heading for the vantage point
where the Solent narrows (which
was crowded with as many as or
more spectator craft) to watch
the entrants come through on the
first stage of the Round Britain
Powerboat Race, what memories
flooded back as I approached the
end of the spit The Cigarette
and Miss Enfield, Surfury,
Yellowdrama. Hurst had been a
favourite viewing point for
countless offshore fans over the
years but in recent times there
was nothing to see, true
powerboating had died, until
today, when we would witness the
spectacle of up to 48 offshore
racers smashing their way out
through the tidal race, past the
Needles towards Lyme Bay and
Plymouth the first stop in the
2008 Round Britain Powerboat
Race. |
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first let us rewind about 2
years, I was fortunate as a
committee member of the newly
formed Classic Offshore
Powerboat Owners Club to hear
member Mike Lloyd announce to us
that he was putting together
plans for a revival of the Round
Britain Powerboat Race, there
were more than a few gasps of
disbelief as Mike reeled off his
ambition to re-stage a race last
run in 1984, there were also
some rumblings that the date set
would not give him enough time
to put everything in place and
his biggest hurdle was to find a
sponsor, for what would be the
race of the century! |
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websites burst into life as soon
as Mike's plans became public
knowledge and to the amazement
of many doubters the entries
started rolling in for a race
that was only in the planning
stages! |
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Throughout 2007 the
thought of a true offshore powerboat race had
re-ignited the enthusiasm of ex racers, new kids
on the block and spectators young and old who
remembered the days when the sport took to the
open seas and made heroes out of every
participant. |
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As Lloyd persevered with
his newborn monster it became obvious,
especially as the sport had been dormant for a
significant number of years that he could not
handle every aspect a venture of this magnitude
was producing, especially with an entry list
already nudging toward the 70 mark. So a call to
assist went out to all who had experience with
offshore racing and its complexities, (i.e.; re
writing the non existent rule book etc) it was
the formation of Cowes Organising Committee
headed by veteran racer and organiser Tim Powell
that was the result. |
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By the spring of the new
year with the race months ahead, the course was
set, the venues booked, an entry list of quality
craft including some major names from the past
and present but no major sponsor that the
decision was taken to fund the running of the
RB08 through the entry fees and with 90% of the
entrants endorsing this option, the race was on! |
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One major coup for the
Committee was the entry of Fabio Buzzi along
with sponsorship from Fiat for him and with
support for the race itself, their perseverance
and enthusiasm had paid off. |
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So it was that on Saturday
June 21st offshore powerboat racing saw its
rebirth in Britain and a final total of 48 boats
set of on their epic journey, some never to
return. |
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For spectators,
participants and organisers there was a buzz in
the air, not experienced since the heady days of
the Cowes Torquay Cowes, this was the result of
one mans dream to restage a true offshore race,
The 2008 Round Britain Powerboat Race. Mike
Lloyd's vision and tenacity had paid off, the
resulting spectacle his just reward, plus, as an
added bonus and maybe though his sterling
efforts, another epic adventure had stirred into
life, the revived Cowes Torquay Cowes. |
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It would be a brave man to
predict the future but who knows what could
follow next? |
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Mike James |
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>>17th July
BRITISH POWERBOATING
HISTORY GOES DOWN UNDER! |
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At the Bonham's Sale at the Goodwood Festival of
Speed Tommy Sopwith’s 1968 C-T-C winning Telstar was sold for £27,000.00
plus commission. Total £31,000.00 and this significant part of our
powerboating heritage is being shipped to Adelaide, South Australia by
its new owner. |
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Telstar
Photo Courtesy Graham Stevens. |
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If ever there was a case for COPOC gaining
strength through its membership and becoming a force in both the modern
and historic aspects of the sport this is it. |
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Colin Mullin is extremely upset that she is being
taken out of the country as this was not his thoughts when her put
Telstar up for sale, which was because of a question of time as his
business is primarily classic car restoration and her could not give T
the attention needed, he hoped she would be purchased and stay in GB. |
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Every effort will be made to have her displayed
one more time before she leaves the country but it seems a little more
of British history is to vanish forever. |
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Mike James |
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>>17th July
Cowes Torquay Cowes |
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August Bank Holiday Weekend 23rd - 24th |
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In view of the forthcoming B.P.R.C. / P1 Cowes
Torquay race it has been suggested that this would an ideal opportunity
for members to meet up for a summer social and at the same time support
the classic boats that possibly will be entered. |
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We know for definite that Cinzano no 558 is
racing, hoping to put her RB08 woes behind her and another possible is
Ocean Pirate. Unfortunately Gee is not doing the race having more than
proved herself last month sweeping the Historic Class and taking home
the COPOC trophy plus 6 others. |
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As there is no confirmed entry list yet it may be
that there are others entered who need support so book the date and see
you there. |
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Of course our adopted clubhouse Tony Hamilton's
UNION INN which is on Cowes High St leading down to the front, all
current and any new members will be welcome from midday Saturday onward. |
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Mike James |
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>>2nd July
TALES OF PAIN & PLEASURE The 2008 Round
Britain Offshore Powerboat Race |
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Where do you start after an event of this nature
has finished? I think the first mention should
be of COPOC member Markus Hendrick, who was one
of the most enthusiastic entrants when the whole
escapade was announced to the world. His entry,
a superb 36ft Supermarine Swordfish, an elegant
reinterpretation of the classic Hunt /Burnard
Fairey designs of the 60's was unfortunately
lost after hitting an object on the Portsmouth
Plymouth leg of the race and now lies 60 meters
down in the English Channel. They were racing
with Gee at the time when a sudden jarring of
the hull alerted them to a problem, hatches were
opened to look for the cause and the team were
faced with a near 2 foot diameter hole in the
hull beneath the helm. Despite every effort to
control the influx of seawater nothing could be
done, there was no hope of racing to the coast
and beaching as the water quickly invaded the
electrics cutting all power. |
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Photo Chris Davies. |
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They inflated and took to the liferaft after
snatching everything possible and awaited their
rescue, Blue Marlin, race no 99 sank within 20
minutes but no one got wet! Gee in the meantime
continued unaware of the drama astern, only
learning of Markus's fate on reaching Plymouth. |
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It
came as somewhat a shock then to the Gee team as
they approached the finish in Portsmouth, a week
later, to find themselves being bore down upon
by a boat carrying the no 99 and flying a German
flag with all hands waving at them frantically!
A determined to cross the line, Mr Hendricks,
had chartered a 72 ft Sunseeker Predator for the
day complete with racing no and finished in
company with Gee, the camaraderie of the race
between all crews showing through to the last.
The Sunseeker was then host to all who cared to
come and celebrate their own personal triumphs
and commiserate with Markus and his team at
their loss. |
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Considering their age, the entries in the
Historic Class did somewhat better than some of
their modern counterparts, (for out within the
first 2 days went Fabio Buzzi in RED FPT the
renamed CESA and WETTPUNKT.COM the overall
favourite finished 30th after a whole host of
mechanical gremlins) |
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The historic class had 6 entrants, Ocean Pirate
owned by Mike Barlow unfortunately suffered
damage at the start but once fixed and refitted
she set off again to satisfy Mike's
determination to repeat her 69 adventure which
they did despite many ongoing problems. |
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The extremely fast Miss Daisy, a 30ft FAIREY
SPEARFISH owned and driven by Jonathan Napier
and his BA pilot crew, known as team 747 were
one of the main rivals to the mighty Souter
built Gee and were it not for again, problems,
encountered during the first legs, they could so
easily have been the class victors. |
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John Skuse and his 31ft Swordsman, Xanthus, also
completed the course even if part of it was on
low loader as did Jonathan Townsend and his crew
in Swordsman no 68. |
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At
the end of the day it was the team of GEE the 40
year old Jim Wynn designed and Souter built
craft, that stole the honours and 7 trophies, a
fantastic effort when you consider that even
right up to scrutineering they too were having
big problems. |
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A
canny Chris Clayton owner of this mighty piece
of powerboating history had had her rebuilt over
the 2 preceding months, re-engined with twin
Cummins diesels (almost back to her original
1000hp spec) along with new shafts, props and
modern electronics, redesigned and strengthened
engine beds, rebuilt decks and internal ribs etc
etc and finally repainted and bedecked with
sponsors logo's. Chris's team had been working
flat out to get her ready but were faced with
constant problems and a major uphill battle to
get the "old girl" ready in time. |
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Was it all worth it? |
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That is a massive yes for as they came in
dockside on Monday the elation and emotions they
were experiencing would match that of any winner
you cared to name from any major sport, this was
after all their first offshore race! but what a
race to start your learning curve on. |
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The club should be very proud that throughout
the whole race our logo clung tenaciously to the
bows of this superb and beautiful raceboat and
we should also remember that they not only raced
but jeopardised their leading position to assist
other craft that had experienced problems,
including their main rivals Team 747, who could
so easily have overhauled them. Such was the
sportsmanship shown by the team that one of the
magnificent trophies they scooped was that of
"SPIRIT of THE EVENT". |
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We
must thank the team of Gee for such a
magnificent effort and representing the club in
such a professional manner, our vision when we
formed in 2006 was that one day true offshore
racing would and could return to our shores,
Chris Clayton, his team and Gee have proved that
Classic offshore is back! |
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Photo Chris Davies. |
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Mike James |
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Commodore |
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>>17th April |
| Some Fishing Boat! |
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Anyone recognise this? If I
said ‘62/63, 3 Maserati’s and blood red! |
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Lying somewhere in Greece the
Last Goddess “Ultima Dea”. With thanks to John Sheen, ex
Souters. |
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>>13th February |
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A unique
classic for sale. Tommy Sopwith's aborted entry for 62 Cowes Torquay
Thunderbolt 2 is for sale.
Currently in
Malta Price $20,000.00 possible free delivery. Owner wishes the boat
to go to an enthusiast who will appreciate its unique history.
Contact me in
the first instance. Mike
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Mike James |
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