High octane action on the waters of Torbay

The UK offshore powerboat racing season got off to a great start when Round 1 of the OCRDA Aqua Adrenaline Tour was held in Torquay.

A fleet of 20 boats and 20 jet ski’s is proof, if any were needed, of how healthy the sport currently is under the direction of Club President Bob McCarthy and Chairman/Race Manager, Steve Oaten. They are supported by a large number of volunteers.

This year, the Offshore Circuit Racing Drivers Association also celebrates two very significant landmarks in its history. Firstly, it is 40 years since the formation of the OCRDA by legendary racer Eddie ‘Paddy’ Reilly. Paddy’s daughter, Sharon Atlee, and various family members have also made their mark on UK powerboat racing with their Tintorera Racing Team, winning titles and setting speed records.

It is also 10 years since the OCRDA Aqua Adrenaline Tour began, taking the organisation on to its next chapter providing fast, exciting, close racing around the UK. There is a calendar of six race weekends visiting various venues including Kings Lynn, West Bay and Caernarfon.

On Saturday, crowds of spectators lined Beacon Quay bathed in brilliant sunshine. Sea conditions were quite flat and in the F1 Class, it was a great start to the season for Cornish racers Justin Copeland and Barbara Wildman with a Race 1 win in Jam First.

Unfortunately, towards the end of the race, father and son team Rob and Colin Hingston in JD Racing caught a rogue wave and both ended up in the water. Although shaken and bruised, their injuries were not too serious, however, the ensuing recovery led to the cancellation of Race 2.

On Sunday, the early morning heavy rain and low cloud lifted around noon, allowing racing to continue. The conditions were much rougher – which often suits the boats better. And it certainly suited rough water specialists, and former Champions, Jeremy Gibson and Malachy Browne in The A Team. Their first season in a brand new boat constructed from kevlar – very light and strong. They won both F1 races. This ensured that they topped the F1 table for the weekend.

It was close though - Perry Murphy and Chris Dos Santos - Anomaly - with consistent racing took three second places, finishing in second place overall – just 12 points behind Gibson and Browne.

In the F2 Class it was a clean sweep of three first place finishes for Robbie Mould and Michelle Jelfs in Smokey & the Bandit 2. Runner-up spot was claimed by Wayne and Chris Mort – Thunderstruck.

Another crew completing a hat-trick of first places was the husband and wife pairing of Graham and Marta Drew in Mistress, racing in the F3 Class. One of this season's new teams - Ben Amstad and Louis Martin – finished second overall in Ring a Ding Ding.

The rough conditions on Sunday were particularly challenging for the jet ski racers – it was survival of the fittest. And in Class J1 that was David Huddleston with three race wins. J2 honour’s were claimed by Tim Batte – he won all four races. In the J3 Class, Daniel Fellows won three races to take the overall Class win.