CAN YOU HELP?
Classic boat enthusiast is looking for an interesting 1960’s or early 70’s Powerboat to
restore.
Wood or GRP Bertram, Levi, GRP Christina or similar. Anything considered - ideally
23 to 32ft.
With or without history.
Contact David Japp at davidjapp@carlinmusic.com
FOR SALE
ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT POWERBOATS OF THE 60's AND 70's
Tommy Sopwith's "MISS ENFIELD 2" winner of the Cowes-Torquay and numerous other high
profile races. She was also raced under the names, YELLODRAMA , BLITZ , BRITISH BUZZARD etc.
Built by Enfield Marine in Aluminium to a Don Shead design and originally powered by twin Mercruiser's.
The Boat is currently owned by Don Wood, she has been in dry storage for the past 25 years and would make a
fascinating addition to the Cowes Celebrations next year if presented in her original livery.
All interested parties please contact Don through John Iddon at
seahunter325@hotmail.com
See picture on our For Sale page, Click
>HERE<
The years 1981 to 1985 are remembered for the outstanding success of the CUV built offshore racers of Renato
DellaValle and Alberto Smania in the legendary Cowes Torquay Cowes offshore powerboat race, Renato in particular
winning the race in a record consecutive 4 times. 28 years later one of Della Valle's original racecraft has set
a precedent by winning the coveted Beaverbrook Trophy in the capable hands of club member Markus Hendricks with
his crew Tim Grimshaw and Eric Smillie at this years Cowes Classic. That craft of course is the amazing CINZANO.
Lets rewind 14 months to the lead up to the 2008 Round Britain Race. On race eve I am standing dockside at Port
Solent in the drizzle as Tim, Eric and then team member Nick Keyser battled to get no 558 ready for the start,
little knowing that one of their Ilmores was a duff! Try as they may the engine would not fire but such was the
tenacity of these 3 veteran racers they did not give up, actually eventually finishing several legs of this
demanding race. By the time the Cowes Torquay came round in August Cinzano was at last performing as only a CUV
should, although she was beaten to line by several more modern craft and another veteran racer CESA.
Tim Grimshaw reluctantly put her up for sale after the Cowes race as the drain on finances and he is now living
in Scotland meant he could not carry on with further involvement but hardly had word got round of Cinzano's
impending sale when into the frame steps COPOC club member Markus Henricks, who after this stupendous victory will
not mind me reminding everyone of the sinking of his beautiful Supermarine Swordsman in the RBR. By the time of the
Brass Monkey at Poole this year Markus was gaining valuable experience in the big C, assisted by Eric and Tim who
had been retained by as crew. With both her engines now on full song she was beginning to show her new owner
glimpses of her past history with a second place in the revived Needles Trophy, promptly moving her to the head
of the points table in the Marathon series. So we come back to Cowes 2009 again and in what can only be described
as typical CTC misfortune, Markus opened the throttles wide in the calmer waters of the Solent trouncing the
unfortunate Deacons in "Hot Lemon".
The Deacons had been leading most the race in dire conditions not known for many a year, Cinzano beat them by
11 seconds but only after the new Buzzi of Hannis Bohinc, which entered the Solent neck and neck with Cinzano,
succumbed dramatically a mile from the finishing line, with a ruptured fuel tank. On behalf of all club members
and powerboat enthusiasts everywhere to Markus, Tim and Eric may we say many, many congratulations to you all for
creating another spectacular twist to the COWES TORQUAY legend… although the story of this years race does not
finish there, for tail end charlie past Portland was none other than Team 747 (Miss Daisy) which after last years
tussle with Gee and TFO finally lifted the Thunderbolt Challenge Trophy for classic craft.
Jonathan Napier and his crew experienced conditions which even their Fairey Spearfish found extremely demanding
at times were running only 20 knots, then they had fuel tank problems. Director of Swordsman Marine, Richard
Gough, their main sponsor, was ecstatic at their having lifted the COPOC Thunderbolt Trophy, which in his opinion
is an incredible piece of history. The £100 cash prize that accompanied the trophy was duly signed over by the
team to the Breast Cancer Trust in unanimous agreement.
All in all a fantastic weekend for the BPRC, COPOC, all the competitors both winners and the losers for
continuing the legend that is the Cowes Torquay.
Mike James
01/09/09
APOLOGIES
Once again apologies to all members and visitors for the lack of updates and news on the web site.
This was due to unforeseen circumstances which meant enlisting the services of a new web master.
We hope you will enjoy the new additions in the History file especially the story of Tramontana 2 and the story
of the ladies who took on the men in this rigorous sport.
Latest news on the Cowes Classic is that the race will be run under the joint burgees of the BPRC and COPOC.
This is very encouraging news for us as a small club, that we are being recognised by our peers.
Entries for the same are beginning to come in with Team 747 entered in the Historic class and member Markus
Hendrick with his new acquisition CINZANO also entered.
Hopefully you all now have the new membership cards and lapel badges and whilst on the subject of Club regalia
we will have a small display and stand at the Cowes race. I hope all members will come over to the Island and
support the 49th running of this classic race.
New Member; It is with great pleasure that we welcome to the fold Mark Raybould son of Ken Raybould the well
known racer, lamination expert and designer / builder. Ken has a long association with the sport and was
reponsible for the Planatec boats set for Don Shead.
Great News received that the 1969 racer Snoopy/Prawn Cocktail has been restored and is almost ready for
relaunch…the Shead designed craft was we understand built by Souters based on Telstars hull lines
Richard Rance who owns the Bruce Campbell Christina CONTANGO the other 1961 CT survivor has taken on ownership
of Foam Flyer and intends to restore to original. Originally she was purchased by Mike LLoyd who is now intent
on racing something slightly larger and more powerful, well done Richard.
Mike James
Commodore
BACKTRACK with BULMAN
We are pleased to announce a new addition to the web site courtesy of our President, the renowned Powerboat
Journalist, Mr Ray Bulman.
This will comprise race reports from Ray’s vast collection starting with the 60’s onward and building into a
full history of the sport as it happened.
Hopefully Ray will also include some of his own recollections and photo’s to give a true insight of the sport
and its “characters”.
The envisaged start date for this feature will be June, after Ray and Geoff Tobert have re-created their
cross channel escapade of 1962 from Putney to Calais which was the catalyst for Class 3 racing.
Follow this adventure on
runabout2superyacht.co.uk
Bear in mind that this 200 plus mile adventure is being undertaken by 2 senior citizens, both pioneers of
the sport we know as powerboat racing.
Mike James
Commodore |
