June news

2008 Round Britain Offshore Power Boat Race hits the waves this summer

For only the third time in offshore sports history it’s time to take to the British seas for the 2008 Round Britain Offshore Power Boat Race, as this massive 10 day event kicks off in Portsmouth on Saturday 21 June.

First staged in 1969, with the next following 15 years later in 1984, it has taken a further 24 years for the third event to be staged and is a serious undertaking with 48 boats and crews taking part.

The 2008 incarnation of the race is the brainchild of Mike Lloyd, a former powerboat racer himself and a director of The Cowes Organising Committee Ltd. A labour of love for himself and his fellow organisers, this event has been arranged for the joy of powerboat racing and the sheer thrill of this long endurance race. It is also hoped that the event will raise funds for the RNLI.

The race begins here in Portsmouth on 21 June before taking in Plymouth (21 June), Milford Haven (22 June), Bangor (23 June), Oban (24 June), Inverness (26 June) Edinburgh (27 June), Newcastle (28 June) and Lowestoft (29 June). It will finish in Portsmouth on the 30 June. The event will last for ten days as the crews race to be the first to the finish line back in Portsmouth to claim one of several class titles.

Hugely supportive of the Race, the Royal Naval Club & Royal Albert Yacht Club in Portsmouth has opened its doors to the race teams for their pre-race briefing on Thursday 19 June and for the royal reception on Friday 20 June.

As one of the last remaining marine challenges for adventurers in the UK, the Round Britain Offshore Powerboat Race is set to kick up some serious spray in June 2008 and mark the beginning of a new era for endurance powerboat racing in the UK.

Date : 13 June 2008