The event started in overcast conditions and a chill wind….with a very entertaining BBQ inside the comfort of the Cowes Haven premises….late arrival THUNDERBOLT and her crew tied up in darkness were soon tucking in to Burgers, wine etc…to overcome their little hiccup of petrol in the bilges, blocked carbs and a transit of the Solent in the dusk at 6 knots!  Alongside the Haven on the hard was a small display by the CMBA and after their weekends experiences they could well be planning a larger invasion next year.

Barry Sales had arranged on Saturday for some unique filming using a drone!…so the Solent on Saturday was being ripped up by various Huntsmen, Christina and Levi’s including Adrian Motts TRIPLE ENGINE RIVA 2000 plus John Trafford in his recent acquisition a 32knot Cleopatra!  The results of this escapade will be seen on video once it has been mastered.

Once playtime was over the craft motored back to the Folly for a well deserved lunch then back to the pontoons for more Powerboat gazing and trying to assist Robin Ward with his scrutineering problems!  He passed by the skin of his teeth with assistance from another club member Ian Toll..a renowned racer of old!

Dockside a certain Clive Baker was entertaining guest’s from the back of his giant red US Ford truck to which was coupled a matching Dowty Turbojet speedboat circa mid 60′s!….as that party wrapped up Ben’s Pimms Party sprung into life which I had to miss as the BPRC Cocktail Party was my destination…The COPC …Sonny Levi Trophy was being presented to the Race organising team head by  ROB ANDREWS. it was through their efforts that the CTC was now starting on the Squadron line and had raised its profile another notch hopefully paving the way for more advances next year.

By the time that was sorted, a hop step and jump away the Rally dinner was already starting up the road and was heavily oversubscribed leading to 2 dinning rooms but a fantastic evening was had by all…..as the rather tired faces proved next morning!

and would you believe it Sunday dawned flat calm and in brilliant sunshine! Many of the Rally entrants were also acting as Safety Boats and departed the Haven accompanied by the CT AND CPC race entrants…as I said we had 5 members racing Robin Ward in THUNDERSTREAK,  Brian Pelham in The BEAVER, Nick Wilkinson Jonathan Napier in HTS..MR NOISY with Tony Hamilton and Christian Toll, Mike Peet and Mike Bontoft in Dry Martini the 42yr old Cigarette!

The START LINE SPECTACULAR, which included a mock start after  by the classic’s made superb viewing for spectators nad in those conditions records were there to be broken…and boats! Thunderstreak lost a vee drive in Bournemouth bay, HTS a prop after hitting an object….The BEAVER broke down in the CPC race as did Mr Noisy but Dry Martini showed that even calm conditions could work for her clocking nearly 70mph before having to circle in Torbay for 25 mins so as not to be penalised by the ridiculous 50mph max for historic entrants…taking the THUNDERBOLT Trophy and the Lombard Concours d’Elegance….wIinning boat Martini Rosso with David Gandy as crew came back from Torquay in an hour hitting 120mph in the Solent approaches!

 Once again our many thanks to the Classic Rally and Cowes Classic organisers for a magnificent weekend of Sport and entertainment.

Pictures courtesy of Dave Ormiston, Malc Attrill, Barry Sales

Details of this years COWES CLASSIC RALLY were released this weekend and as usual Paul Hooper and Ben Curtis have put together another spectacular week-end for owners and supporters of  ”Classic Powerboats”……plus the chance to support the Historic entrants in the world famous Cowes Classic Powerboat Race on Sunday the 31st.

There is a 90% possibility that last years attendance figures will be broken judging by the number of new restorations nearing completion plus the discovery and purchase of some very rare craft including a Pacemaker 29! …in the CTC race veteran HTS will have a fight on her hands from Robin Ward’s Bertram 31 “Thunderstreak”, newly restored for competition,  whilst the Haven will witness the reunion of not one but 3 of Tommy Sopwith’s raceboats! with maybe a few suprise entries.

Members of the CMBA will also be bringing some rare speedboats and runabouts for display alongside their bigger sisters.

For full details go to [email protected]  

The main event day will be Saturday the 10th and includes the CLASSIC MOTORBOAT MUSEUM…with buffet lunch. In the evening join us for dinner with special guest Club President RAY BULMAN who will enthral and entertain diners with stories from his vast knowledge of the sports history.

We look forward to welcoming all club members and friends plus the event is also open to non members. Bring your boat or arrive by ferry, full entry form will go online in the next 24hrs.

Weekend Cost £45.00 plus £10 surcharge for non members or Museum Visit and buffet only £20…. for those intending to arrive by boat arrangements have been made with the Cowes Yacht Haven.

Through the eyes of Thunderbolt.

Firstly congratulations to Ben Curtis and Paul Hooper for organising another tremendous weekend for the Classic Powerboat brigade to coincide with the C-T-C…..secondly to the owners of the magnificent 25 plus fleet that braved the Bank Holiday elements! This event is growing in stature each year since its inception and celebration at Torquay back in 2010, we hope that next years will see even more of these incredible craft appearing from their slumbers.

Where does one start with the entrants that made it to Yarmouth on Friday afternoon prior to the race weekend….well firstly lets start with Paul whose Triana “Le Scarron” was barely finished on the previous evening after being fitted with a new single V8 in a high state of tune with incredible open exhausts!

After having major engine problems last year the decision was made to fit a single engine of adequate horsepower, instead of the original low powered twins, for this Levi cruiser. Not an easy task in view of the work involved but Paul was determined to attend with his own boat albeit in untried condition and to his credit he duly arrived in Yarmouth late but a very happy man.

Amongst the craft assembled that afternoon as the first heavy downpours started were the ex Charles Curry Huntsman “Here and Now…a Cowes Torquay prize winning entrant in 62..sharing the pontoon with her was “Thunderbolt” again late in the water after some summer revamps..there were also 10 plus Fairey craft including John Vaudin’s famous Fantome “BASTA”, Swordsman of varying ages including Robin Ward’s rear cabin version “Sabre ” which escorted Thunderbolt across from the Hamble at a stately 22 knots, 3 Triana’s, a Tarentella and the tiny Britannia Plastic built Belinda 2 an entrant in the 62 Cowes Torquay! which had motored across from Lymington….one of the last arrivals was Clive Baker in “Warrior” shortly followed by Flora McDora ex Corsair of C-T fame.

As we all enjoyed some beers and bubbly stuff the rain decided to set the tone for the evening, as the first of the predicted weather fronts began moving through and it was time to take sustenance in the local Kings Arms and to bed down on board for a squally night!

Remarkably Saturday dawned sunny which did not last long but as the fleet departed at 10ish for the run up to Cowes the skies looked on us favourably..though sea conditions were lumpy the tide was with us but producing some deep troughs and plenty of bow spray…little Bellinda did the obvious thing and hugged the coastline whilst the big boys charged off to Cowes,Thunderbolt bounced along comfortably with me at the helm and Charles Lawrence enjoying himself immensely as crew!

At Cowes the South Haven suddenly found itself invaded as 25 plus Classic’s edged their way into position, once on the pontoon it was obvious some craft had some niggles. Peter Farmery’s Lady Emma, was having thermostat problems despite have changed them with new brought over the previous day and Thunderbolt was having another tantrum having sprung a small leak on one of the spray rails!

As the day and banter progressed it became obvious that the planned BBQ was under threat from the weather but who cared? No one, such was the camaraderie! With the Cowes Powerboats in the North Haven the scene was complete for judging the entrants carried out by John Vaudin and Tony Hamilton Hunt

The trophies presented at the Pimms and BBQ, with La Garoupe a very close relative of Thunderbolt powered by Sabre diesels taking the Wooden Boat prize!

Sunday dawned sunny! The big race would take place and most of the classics scampered off down to Hurst to watch the off…aboard Here and Now with Paul Fairall we were doing safety boat duty in the Solent we had an enviable view of proceedings. Once both races were underway a lay up for lunch in the shelter of Hurst Castle was most welcome especially as the sun beat down warmly…just across from us was Ben Curtis aboard Playtime (another Charles Curry boat for the early races) enjoying the sun in his deckchair!…The C-T-C had started approximately 10am and the Cowes Poole 40 minutes later by the time we had snacked we were seeing boats racing back to Cowes from the smaller classes then in a lull Needles Control announced that the first boats had turned at the Ore Stone mark and were homeward bound! It was time to get back on station!

12.30 Found us drifting up the Solent with the incoming 3knot tide saving Paul’s expensive diesel and steering wayward yachts clear of the incoming leaders approaching Hurst narrows at 70 plus mph and there they were…rooster tails on the horizon denoting the lead boats, unfortunately we were mid channel and they were on the Island side but we were able to follow them through with Fury leading club member Markus Hendricks in Cinzano…he would not repeat his win this year unfortunately.

Meantime Mr Hooper had experienced problems with his new engine and was sat in Yarmouth with a very mangled water pump impeller! Waiting to be towed back to Cowes.

After following the 8^th and final craft back to Cowes we returned to the Haven around 4pm with all who ventured out returned safe and sound but Le Scarron’s water pump in pieces whilst they hunted lost pieces of impeller….and a new one waiting to be fitted.

The evening dinner was to conclude the rally at the Royal Corinthian but I had to charge of to the Squadron to be present at prizegiving when Mike Bontoft and Christian Toll collected the Thunderbolt Trophy for the first historic boat home. They finished 6^th by the way not bad for a 39 year old! Then it was across the road to join in the dinner party a superb end to an amazing week end.

As we tumbled into our berths at midnight plus, the weather again was threatening, Monday morning broke with forecasts of storms racing up the Channel, John Vaudin could not motor back to Jersey as they already were experiencing Force 8 gales….Paul Fairall departed single handed at 7.30 and myself and Ian Swinney aimed for 10am in the company of the now repaired Le Scarron, Sabre and Scheherazade Adrian Motts 25ft David Still Delta. As our mini fleet left the south haven a brisk wind was rising Thunderbolt does not like wind and as we went to manoeuvre around the final turn one engine cut out despite being warmed up nicely and we redocked on the Cowes Roads pontoon how embarrassing! Engine restarted and we were off out into the Solent behind Sabre and Scarron for a steady trip across to Hamble. The mouth of the river beckoned although the tide was flowing quite rapidly and the wind brisk, nearly home and dry….then Paul stopped dead on the curve of the bar…he started again moved forward then we heard a tremendous squeal form his drive belts and nothing.

If ever you hear the saying “heart in your mouth” this was it, Scarron was being dragged towards the bar and rocks, Thunder turned round with Ian Swinney ready to catch Paul’s rope, engine cuts again, restarts, Ian catches rope, wind pushes Scarron further away, wet rope and not enough of it means it could be dangerous for Ian to secure to cleat without crushing his fingers, Ian releases rope!…Paul manages to get anchor down with seconds to spare …Thunder is now trying to avoid yacht’s of various sizes as we manoeuvre around for a second time, we close in as a Folkboat appears to be heading into the ever decreasing gap between us…she changes course… Paul throws, Ian catches, round the cleat…move forward but not to far….Paul gets anchor up we are within inches of the bar GO!GO!GO!

Phew! I never ever want to be faced with that situation again! Paul has helped immensely with Thunderbolt and I owe him many, many, favours but I never intended to repay those favours in such a situation as this. I am just so relieved that even with my limited experience I was able to react in a way that saved him, his children and his craft from one of the most dreaded obstacles in the area!

A quiet chug up to Hamble Point and safety….it was one hell of a way to round off a fabulous weekend…anyway Paul can I book for next year?

Pictures courtesy of Dave Ormiston & Charles Lawrence

Mike

PS …Expected entries for next year will include Gerry Pols “Miss Speedbird” and Ian Toll’s “Magnum”…I am awaiting confirmation that Magnum is the original WHITE TORNADO that was recovered from Lyme Bay.

COPOC’s Certificate of Appreciation from Help for Heros

Letter of Thanks from Help for Heros for COPOC’s donation of £3,937.00 which was the results of everyones kind efforts & generosity, Thank you.

The Classic Revival Rally – The Whole Story… They say the best laid plans of mice and men can and will go wrong, well our plans for August did not go wrong at least through no fault of our making. With 24 entries in the first Classic gathering organised by COPOC to celebrate the 50th running of the Cowes Torquay everything was shaping up for a brilliant 3 days, that was until Summer decided to end abruptly… then anything and everything that could did go wrong! A week prior to the departure we learned that the Triana’s of Paul Hooper and Peter Farmery would not be attending although the owners would, then more bad news Spica and Laksfors both had engine problems and withdrew. Ian Saunders beautiful restoration of Paper Tiger the 25ft Bertram raced by Charles de Selincourt also suffered installation problems, Ian had also caught a head cold and decided to call it a day. By Saturday the 21st of August we were down 5 entries! at least THUNDERBOLT was up running a jaunt up the Hamble with Ken Raybould on board to visit her birthplace at Badnam Creek then a swift circuit of Southampton Water showed her to be on the button, that was until returning to Hamble Point one engine died… a quick check and fuel top up then she fired up again. Back on her trailer and in the dry shed we checked the engine again, dead!, fuse gone on the ignition circuit… fuse changed tried again to be greeted by acrid smoke billowing from her instrument pod… the gremlins were out in force. Now I was in the very fortunate position that with their own boats out of action Paul Hooper and Pete Farmery were determined to join the rally as Thunderbolt crew and without their expertise and assistance she would not have made it either. By 10.30pm Sunday night she was repaired and ready for a final test on Monday prior to her going down to Torquay by road due to the incoming weather front on Tuesday. As the storm clouds gathered it became obvious a dire situation was brewing… Ocean Pirate was stormbound in Lowestoft, the beautiful Ja Conga freshly overhauled was trapped in Ramsgate by worsening weather conditions. Then Gee’s owners decided they could not risk her for the rally as they were entered in the main CTC race on Sunday. By Tuesday evening it became apparent that the boats due to leave Cowes on Wednesday would be unable to depart as conditions worsened. The Rally was on the verge of collapse.. In Torquay we had 4 boats who arrived earlier in the week with 4 local craft due to arrive plus Thunderbolt craned into the harbour, 24 had become 9 and the storms continued.. But we had not counted on the determination of many entrants to make it to Torquay come hell or high water! Out of the mist, after a 5am dash out of Guernsey, came John Vaudin’s Basta. Then into the harbour came Frivola and Miss Daisy also making the best of a lull in the storms to depart Cowes. The beautifully restored Louly a 36ft Morgan Giles motored over from the other side of the harbour and slowly the pontoon filled with more classic boats. By Wednesday lunchtime and despite the wind and incessant rain we had 12 boats on display. An urgent appeal went out on the local commercial radio station for any one in the area who had a "classic" to come and join the party and 3 more arrived including a Supermarine Swordfish. Tornado arrived from Teignmouth and the Dell Quay Ranger Kiltie of Hamble then late entry Dr Syn a magnificant Swordsman. As Wednesday progressed it became apparent that it was going to be impossible for the Red Arrows to fly even the Fairground closed through lack of custom, as for spectators! the streets were empty!. The lucky few entrants who had made it to Torquay were now making their way freshly washed to the Welcome Party at the Royal Torbay YC. All things considered it was a really good turnout with two Lords present Clinton and Iliffe, a magnificent spread laid on by the RTYC chef and then fresh from their official reception at the Imperial Hotel… the whole Red Arrows team pilots and ground crew. Their appearance raised the reception to another level, there was no magic in the skies that afternoon but boy there was electricity that evening in the trophy room as the party took off! Autographs, pictures and souvenir’s aplenty it was a night to remember.

Video of The COPOC Classic Revival Rally 2010, Celebrating 50 years of Cowes-Torquay Power race – Supported by MDL Marinas.

Thursday morning we woke to the same grey skies but the wind had abated and the rain had stopped. Plans were laid for 2 laps of Torbay as MDL our supporter, had camera man John Marshall on hand to film the event and you can see the resulting film on the web site (see above) with several others, one courtesy of Derek McClarron owner of the magnificent Morgan Giles. Thunderbolt led the group out into the bay and we gave it all we had, such a shame there were so few spectators to see history being marked by a superb fleet of classics. One little hiccup as nerves and tiredness took its toll on your Commodore, I REVERSED INTO THE PONTOON! Luckily no major damage… Charles Lawrence was busy handing out the beautifully printed entry list he had prepared to all who made it dockside to view our fleet. (see below)

Maid of Baltimore A 1961 production Fairey Huntress 23, which although entered in the first Cowes – Torquay Race in 1961 did not compete until 1971. Deep-V hull design by Ray Hunt, developed by Alan Burnard, and powered by single Perkins diesel. The Fairey hot moulding process formed a hull as a single piece of plywood. Now owned by Chris Barker she is based at Fleetwood. Frivola ‘Frivola’ is a 1964 Fairey Swordsman 33 which was entered in the 1964 Cowes – Torquay Race. The Swordsman class was designed by Alan Burnard as an enlarged Huntsman 28, originally for racing, but the enlarged accommodation became very popular. Frivola was originally powered by twin 290hp Perkins diesels, and is now owned by Felix McHenry from the Isle of Man. Miss Daisy A late production glassfibre Fairey Spear, a GRP version of the Huntsman 31, ‘Miss Daisy’ was restored and re-engined by former Concorde pilot Jonathan Napier. She was raced in the Historic Class both in the 2008 Round Britain Race and Cowes-Torquay. Laksfors III ‘Laksfors III’ is a one off 30’ boat designed by Ray Hunt and built of cold moulded ply by Souters at Cowes for the merchant bankers, Hoare Gavette. Owned by Mark Rice for the past 28 years she is powered by a pair of 325hp V8s with Mercruiser sterndrives. She competed in the 1971 Cowes-Torquay race. Tireur A production Fairey Swordsman 33’, powered by her original twin 145hp Perkins Diesels. She demonstrates another type of aft cabin top that was used on the Swordsman. Recently acquired by Per Hansson, she is now based in Dartmouth. Miss Speedbird Formerly ‘Tolstar’, this 21′ boat was based on a production Tolcraft hull, and raced by Ian Toll in the 1968 Cowes-Torquay. She is now owned by Gerry Pols and based in Guernsey. Viva Tredante Sonny Levi designed the diminutive 23′ Trident class in 1961, and ‘Viva Tredante’ was built in wood by R & W Clark in Cowes. Similar boats were built elsewhere in GRP. Now owned by Ian Wright, with a single engine replacing the original triple sterndrives. Gee Developed from the design of 1966 winner ‘Ghost Rider’ by Jim Wynn, the 40′ Gee was built by Souters at Cowes in 1967. She has evolved over the years and with various engines has participated in major events including several Cowes-Torquays and the 1969 and 2008 Round Britain Races. She is now owned and raced by Chris Clayton. Dr Syn Named after the fictional smuggler, this Fairey Super Swordsman 33’ is also based in Dartmouth. The Super Swordsman was the final variant and had an aft cabin with full standing headroom. Owned by Christopher Dawson, the restored ‘Dr Syn’ is powered by a pair of 300hp Mermaid Diesels, and was used as a marker boat in earlier. Cowes – Torquay races.		Here and Now A production Fairey Huntsman 28’, developed by Alan Burnard from the 23’ Huntress and powered by twin Barracuda Diesels, she was hot moulded by Fairey Marine in 1962. Raced as ‘Fairey Huntsman’ in 1962 Cowes – Torquay race, and as ‘Here and Now’ in the 1963 race. Owned by Paul Fairall since 1984, she is based in Southampton. Hamble Sword ‘Hamble Sword’ is another production hot moulded Fairey Swordsman 33, built in 1970. Based in Devon, she is owned by Robert Kathro, and she demonstrates one of the alternative aft cabin arrangements. Spica ‘Spica’ is a 1970 aft cockpit hot moulded Fairey Huntsman 31 which was entered in six Cowes – Torquay Races between 1970 and 1990. The Huntsman 31 was designed by Alan Burnard to improve on his Huntsman 28. She is powered by twin 300hp Perkins diesels, which gave her a speed of 41 knots. Owned by Tony Kilby, she is based on the Hamble. Basta ‘Basta’ is the first Fantome 32, Fairey Marine’s final powerboat type, developed from the Spearfish and built in 1973. Owned by John Vaudin and based in Guernsey, her original 180hp engines have been replaced with Ford Sabres of 350hp. Ja-Conja A Moreland 38, built by R & W Clark at Cowes, powered by twin 300hp Cummins diesels, first appeared in the 1966 Cowes – Torquay. She is now owned by Geoff & Philippa Dixon. Louly ‘Louly’ is a Morgan Giles Monaco 36 built in 1960 recently restored by Derek McClarron. She was used as a marshal’s boat for the Cowes Torquay race in 1975, commemorated by a plaque in the cabin. Last year she returned to Teignmouth, where she was built. Race number 11 was used by Captain Morgan Giles when he raced any of the Monacos. She is powered by twin Leyland diesels of 125 bhp each, which replaced the originally Rootes Listers TS3′s 2 stroke diesels. Lady Emma & Le Scarron Two examples of the Triana 25, GRP production boats evolved by Sonny Levi from his Trident hull for Trident Marine. Owned by Paul Hooper and Peter Farmery. Horatia The 42′ ‘Horatia’ was built in 1968 by Keith Nelson at Bembridge for Cdr Peter Thornycroft and competed in the 1969 Round Britain and Cowes – Torquay races. The Nelson hull is powered by twin Caterpillar diesels giving 800hp. She is now owned by John Trafford and based in Chichester. Fortissimo A production Fairey Huntsman 31’, Alan Burnard’s most elegant design, and last of the hot moulded hulls. This aft cockpit ‘sport’ version was one of the six built. Originally exported to Belgium she is now based at Kingsbridge.		Seaspray Another 1962 production Fairey Huntsman 28’. Designed by Alan V Burnard, hot moulded by Fairey Marine and powered by twin Barracuda Diesels. She raced in the 1968 Cowes – Torquay race and in the1969 Round Britain Race for which she was re-engined with 250 hp engines. Owned by Roger Perrot, she is based in Guernsey. Kiltie of Hamble A Dell Quay Ranger 27’, built on an extended Fairey Huntress hot moulded hull, originally designed by Ray Hunt. Primarily intended as comfortable cruising boats, a Ranger did race in both the Cowes-Torquay and Miami-Nassau events. This example is owned by Peter Aitken and based in Devon. Xanthus A 1974 aft cabin Fairey Huntsman 31, the last built at the factory. Originally with 225 Sabre engines she was refitted with later 225 Mermaids, and raced in the Historic Class in the 2008 Round Britain Race and 2009 Cowes – Torquay race by owner John Skuse and also based on the Hamble. Thunderbolt ‘Thunderbolt’ is a 1961 Christina 25 which was driven by Tommy Sopwith on 19th August 1961 to win the first Cowes – Torquay Race in 7 hours 17 minutes. The hull was designed by Ray Hunt and she was built by Bruce Campbell Ltd. Powered by twin Crusader petrol engines each of 325hp. Now restored by Mike James and powered by a pair of 220 hp Chevrolet V8s. Tornado One of many Christinas to have survived, this single engine one is 23’-6″ long, with otherwise similar hull to ‘Thunderbolt’, but now with recent wheelhouse added. Owned by Alan Perriam and based at Teignmouth. Paper Tiger A production Bertram 25, designed by Ray Hunt and built in 1963. ‘Paper Tiger’ raced in the Cowes Torquay powerboat races in the early 1960’s, winning her class in ’64. The type remains sought after in the USA and Australia as the ultimate offshore sports fishing boat. Originally powered by a 330 hp Mercruiser petrol engine and outdrive leg, but recently restored and re-engined with a Yanmar 300. Blue Corsair The original Corsair 27 ‘Inertia’ was designed by Sonny Levi at the end of 1963. ‘Blue Corsair’ built in Italy in 2002. A Corsair won several Cowes-Torquay Concours prizes and a production class in the 1966 Wills International. She is powered by a pair of Volvo 230hp diesels with sterndrives, and is owned by Tim Seward. Ocean Pirate Raced in Historic Class in the 2008 Round Britain Race and built by Brooke Marine of Lowestoft, pioneers in aluminium boat construction. Between 1961 and 1976 they produced around 25 Ocean Pirates. Mike Barlow’s 1968 40′ boat, yard no 336, featured in the San Francisco Boat Show, and finished 7th in the 1969 race. Playtime Another production Fairey Huntsman 28, hull no. 103. Powered by a pair of Perkins Diesels she was driven by Charles Currey in the 1967 and 68 Cowes – Torquay races as ‘Fairey Huntsman’. Now owned by Ben Curtis she is based in Southampton.
		Original artwork and design by Charles Lawrence kindly reproduced with permission

There were quite a few locals turning up who had witnessed that first race back in 1961! All we needed was a little sunshine!

And so to the main event the Gala Dinner and Charity Auction..
Club secretary John Iddon had barley been seen Thursday, he had spent hours with his partner Trina revamping the table layouts the original guest list went out the window with the non arrivals to be replaced by new names and what a list..
The Commander and 5 leading officers from the Nuclear Submarine HMS Torbay, the Group Captain from RAF Devon, Lord Iliffe and Jon Eads of MDL.
Mark Rice and his partner Brenda owners of Laksfors drove down to Torquay, they had no boat due to engine problems but were determined to make it to the dinner… and yet again we had another amazing evening. Superb food and company, Dag Pike’s off the cuff speech about the madness of powerboating then the auction raising in combined total with Thunderbolt’s competition nigh on £4000.00 for H4H.

Friday arrived with yes you have guessed correctly, sunshine! And so the fleet gathered to depart, some back to Cowes and others to local ports. The send off was to be flagged by the Commander of HMS Torbay, so with all the boats circling off Livermead again led by Thunderbolt the time came for some more magic as the fleet lined up behind the start boat. The flag dropped off Torquay harbour and the first Classic Revival Rally finished with a flourish as the faster boats shot off towards Cowes…
Thunderbolt circled back into the harbour and was craned out ready for her road trip back to Hamble and then across to Cowes for her re christening on Saturday by Tommy Sopwith but that is another story..
My thanks to everyone involved, to the staff of the RTYC, Gordon Oliver, The Imperial Hotel, the Entrants whose determination made the event the success it was, the COPOC organisation committee and lastly to John Iddon…

By the way for those who did not make it some notes for your 2011 diary,
May – we are invited to the Sports and Rib Show in Southampton,
June – Help for Heroes are organising a massive pageant of the sea in Babbacombe Bay..
And
August – Bank Holiday at Cowes will be the 2nd Classic Rally…see you there!

Mike