Zapcat Racing was met with wet and windy conditions as the World’s largest one design powerboat championship came to Plymouth. 25 Zapcat teams made the trip to Plymouth waterfront to compete in Rounds 7 & 8 of the Zapcat National Championship.
Onshore winds were providing a choppy swell in the Sound which may prove to create interesting conditions for the racers if the wind picked up more.
As the days racings got underway L&O Meats, Zapcat 75 had drafted in local Royal Marine Ryan Allingham to drive for co-pilot Martin Jerome with his normal pilot unavailable. Ryan who was unable to race the full season due to work commitments this year showed his usual formidable racing skills as they progressed through the division 2 heats securing a strong place in the days final.
Also racing well were Rusty Racing, Zapcat 23 Nick Ponting and Stuart Harrison of Cornwall who are firmly establishing themselves in the championship and improving in every event.
Division 1 saw battles between all of the top teams, pushing to take pole in the days final. Randall and Payne, Zapcat 49 Justin Whithorn and Chris Baldwin were out to promote themselves at Plymouth and gave Blue Sheets Racing 1 a run for their money. With the championship leaders getting held up in some dirt water amongst the fleet and Randall nad Payne making the most of a couple of good starts in the heats to push them every step of the way.
Conditions remained choppy and wet and as the boats went into the days finals the spectators that lined the harbour wall at the Waterfront Bar were as wet as the racers themselves.
The Division 2 final saw Doyster Blue Sheets Racing, Zapcat 73 Nial Hoddinott and James Keeping take a return to form after injury hampered their progression at the last Grand Prix. They fought closely with Seavation, Zapcat 10, Alex Jordan and Dave Pay, holding them off to take the gold podium place of the day. Who were followed closely into third by L&O Meats, Zapcat 75, Ryan and Martin to complete the line up taking bronze.
The division 1 final of the day was promising to be a closely tight affair with Randall and Payne, Zapcat 49, pushing Blue Sheets Racing, Zapcat 03 all the way to the finish line. The Championship leaders managed to pull a little extra speed out of the bag and hold of their rivals to take the Gold Medal making it their seventh consecutive win of the season. Completing the line up was a father and son duo in Cat in the Hat, Zapcat 39, Jim Crooks and CJ Crooks.
Champagne celebrations were awarded by Deputy Lord Mayor Councilor Jonathan Drean before racers headed back to dry land.
Racing continues Live from Plymouth Hoe tomorrow at 12 noon when we will see another exciting 16 heats of racing before the days finals, for those unable to be there in person live streaming will take place across the internet.