Blue Chip Newquay Zapcat Grand Prix - Fistral Beach 23 - 25 April 2010
With the volcano ash cloud ruining the chances of attending the first event of the season for several teams there were stories of heroic journeys against the odds, particularly Ed Morris arriving very early morning Friday from Qatar to team up with his brother Charles in the Westgate Buildings sponsored Zapcat as well as outstanding sportsmanship and friendship, teams stepping up to race under other boat numbers on behalf of their stranded rivals.
After a seven month break and turbulent times of securing sponsors, team mates and putting in the boat hours, 23 Zapcat teams finally made it to the first event of the 2010 National championship season - the Blue Chip Newquay Zapcat GP at Fistral beach.
The first time that a Zapcat National Championship or any other powerboat class has been held at one of the best surf spots in the UK a fitting tribute to the start of the 10th anniversary season for Zapcat Racing.
Revised paperwork procedures and a thorough scrutineering session kept all teams busy until the first green flag dropped for the heats at midday on Saturday.
Warm Spring sunshine, large crowds and the flattest conditions ever seen at a Zapcat surf event allowed all teams to shake off their ring rustiness and for the five Rookies to gain a lot more experience and confidence, putting all their winter pre-season training into practice.
Rookies Jack Weller and Robbie Jon Garcka in SeaVacation II made the most of the light conditions winning all their heats and the Division 2 final gaining a promotion to Division one for Round 2.
Dan Smith & Naomi Sareth Wood in Bluesheets II thought after a diastrous start they had made up enough ground to grab a second place but instead were too greedy on a turn trying to make space where none existed and being disqualified for knocking down a marker buoy.
Div 2 runners up and Mixed championship leaders were husband and wife combo of Russell & Sandra Sidney in their newly inspired 'Flower Power' design hull with SeaVacation I Luke Wills & Kevin Lott claiming third place.
Division one was a very closely fought battle in the final with defending National and Surf Champions, Bluesheets I claiming top spot with Delta Jets Ashley Chappel & Chris Rex chasing hard followed by father and son team of Greg & Keiron Richardson in Team Suffolk.
Relentless I the Exe Jets and Dangerous Brothers claimed the Team Championship leaders bibs for Round 2 on Sunday 25th April.
Conditions for Round 2 could not have been more any more varied from the previous day with a strong onshore breeze 5ft chest height swell, cold, damp and an overcast sky.
Surf conditions were ideal for Zapcat teams to pull off some big airs entertaining the growing crowds but the breeze would play havoc with landing them and the Rescue & Safety team complete with their new kit from Typhoon, Bodyglove & Gath were kept very busy.
The teams did not disappoint with the first flips taking place in the practice session and the first two heats.
Attrition is the best word to describe one of the most entertaining, action packed and exhilarating afternoons as teams withdrew or replaced crew members and engine parts or both just to secure a place in the finals!
This is what every team had travelled to Newquay for and Fistral delivered in spades, especially when the sun finally broke through the clouds and lit up the beach for two very exciting finals.
Divison 2 final saw a six boat line up of 28,11,02,10,13 & 44 - Ed & Charles in Westgate flipped, a 4 lap restart followed with a flip from Who the Hell - who had been racing the Go Commado rig due to puncturing their hull the previous day, a retirement by rookies Live Wire and Rana Park (with stand in team Cat in the Hat) as Neil Fraser still stranded in Florida, following the action very closely live online via the streaming, especially when Jim was disqualified for driving into 11.
Another restart but this time with just two boats Bluesheets II and SeaVation and two laps remaining, with both guaranteed a podium it was fairly clear to see that they were racing but not willing to gift the Round 2 gold medal to each other.
Dan Smith in Bluesheets II with substitute co-pilot Rich Howe collected the win with Alex Jordan and Dave Pay in SeaVation in second place. Who gets the bronze medal for third then? That seemed to be the question being asked by everyone including Anton on the commentary and Grand Prix sponsors Alan Taylor from Blue Chip Newquay and Nicola Markham from Acorn Blue.
The answer was James Millest & Luke Munro, now top of Division 2 and second in the Rookie Championship, Live Wire was the only boat left standing that had retired but not been disqualified from the final.
All attention turned to the last race of the day that would not only determine the winner for Round 2 but also the Blue Chip Newquay Zapcat Grand Prix trophy.
With Rookies SeaVacation II in pole position and defending Champions Bluesheets I in 5th place the race from a standing beach start to the first outer turn mark would be crucial in determining the winner provided they could handle the mounting swells in between.
As the first lap was completed it was Delta Jets in the lead with SeaVacation II in second and Bluesheets back in the pack until Charlie Brickle from Nine Lives jumped too high and landed too hard going over the side for a swim handing the round one winners the lifeline and second chance needed to grab the round two and Grand Prix wins.
Although both in their early 20's Craig Davis and Robbie Martin have been racing together for the last five seasons and will never let an opportunity like that pass and they did not disapoint.
The residents and visitors to Newquay did not disapoint either they followed the action over the weekend enjoying the weather, the facilities and hospitality of the International Surf Centre and some fantastic racing.
What a way to open the season!
Standings after Round Two of the 2010 National Zapcat Championships:
Blue Chip Newquay Zapcat Grand Prix
Bluesheets I Craig Davis & Rob Martin
Championship Leaders
Bluesheets I Craig Davis & Rob Martin
Rookie Leaders
SeaVacation II Jack Weller & Robbie John Garka
Division One Round One
Gold Bluesheets I Craig Davis & Rob Martin
Silver Delta Jets Ashley Chappell & Chris Rex
Bronze Team Suffolk Greg & Kieron Richardson
Division Two Round One
Gold SeaVacation II Jack Weller & Robbie John Garka
Silver Scaredy Cat Russell & Sandra Sidney
Bronze SeaVacation I Luke Wills & Kevin Lott
Division One Round Two
Gold Bluesheets I Craig Davis & Rob Martin
Silver Delta Jets Ashley Chappell & Chris Rex
Bronze SeaVacation II Jack Weller & Robbie Jon Garcka
Division Two Round Two
Gold Bluesheets II Dan Smith & Rich Howe
Silver SeaVation Alex Jordan & Dave Pay
Bronze Live Wire James Millest & Luke Munro
Typhoon Team Leaders Bluesheets Racing Bluesheets I & II
Mixed Leaders Scaredy Cat Russell & Sandra Sidney
King of the Surf Leader Bluesheets I Craig Davis & Rob Martin
Services Leaders Scaredy Cat Russell & Sandra Sidney