Expect the unexpected!
That is the best way to describe the outcome of any race at Stokes Bay.
For the first time since the season opener in 2008 Zapcat Racing returns as the Gosport Zapcat Grand Prix on 11th & 12th June.
Part of the Celebrate! Gosport Summer Season, the championships will be stopping off for Rounds 3 & 4 and show casing their unique blend of high speed and adrenalin fuelled action combined with a fun family and beach lifestyle event that is free to view and guaranteed to entertain whatever the weather.
Three years ago it was defending National Champion Mick Pritchard who came away with top honours, Mick is still very much involved in the racing these days as the series Officer of the Day and will be keeping order when the Championships return in June.
Gosport is known for its world-class marinas, sailing and maritime history and we can add to that hosting several Zapcat Grand Prix events over the last decade, all of which have thrown up some unexpected results and we must thank the efforts of Gosport Borough Council and Fareham Reach in being able to once again race on home turf.
With Ryde as the back drop this narrow stretch of The Solent near the western approach to Portsmouth Harbour allows spectators to get a great view of the action.
Hometown support will definitely follow Russell & Sandra Sidney one of the mixed teams in Zapcat Racing and as residents of Gosport their brightly painted flower power hull is not an uncommon sight, certainly one of the easiest teams to spot from the shore. Local knowledge must be a good thing as they finished fourth overall last time out.
"As residents for over 25 years we really look forward to showing friends and family what Gosport is all about, especially when the Zapcat races are held here."
"We may be slightly biased but with easy boat launching and beach access as well as perfect viewing for spectators and the very variable conditions even in summer, Stokes Bay is a great venue; from flat calm seas giving quick and close up racing to a heavy chop producing a very hard and physical challenge, often with very unpredictable results."
"The 2008 event proved to be the latter, with rough seas, occasional gale force winds and squally rain. The racing was a full on challenge and great fun, in some ways more extreme than we face at big surf events. Deep water starts were the order of the day and even getting to the start line was nearly as much of a feat as the racing itself! For the many hardy spectators who braved the weather, they were rewarded with lots of thrills and spills and the odd glimpse of sun."
"Hopefully in June we will see great weather, lots of people enjoying the action packed racing, the town and all the other great attractions in the area." said Sandra Sidney, co-pilot of boat 40 Scaredy Cat.