1:30 AM Sat 7 Nov 2009 GMT
Powerboat P1 Management Limited, rights holders of the Powerboat P1 World Championship, has announced it has concluded discussions to take over the running of the British-based Formula Four Stroke Association (F4SA).
The move will offer competitors new technical regulations, a unique media and broadcasting platform and the opportunity to compete across an enhanced calendar of races in Europe and in the UK.
Over the past ten years, the F4SA, under the leadership of eight-time powerboat world champion, Steve Curtis MBE, has developed the offshore racing platform and nurtured pilots who have graduated to full international level.
Its rapid development has seen it grow from just five teams competing in a single 130 hp class in 1999, to more than 25 teams competing in two classes in 2006, and 19 participating teams in 2009.
The series has enjoyed strong support from Honda who has backed the championship since 1999 in order to prove the performance of its then newly-launched BF130 hp four-stroke outboard engine.
Powerboat P1 Chairman and CEO, Asif Rangoonwala, recognises the partnership as an extremely exciting breakthrough for the world's fastest growing offshore powerboat racing series.
'By integrating the series into Powerboat P1, we have commenced the expansion of our existing platform of SuperSport and Evolution classes. This deal opens new commercial opportunities for us and the teams, but most importantly it sends an important message to the marine industry and the mainstream, high volume manufacturers that we are serious about production boating,' said Rangoonwala.
'As well as testing driver and navigator skill to the maximum, the series is one of the most affordable and accessible forms of motor sport, allowing the ordinary enthusiast to race in a competitive championship at international level,' added Rangoonwala.
Curtis, who will be taking up a new advisory role with the series for the foreseeable future, says Powerboat P1's 'unrivalled expertise' in promoting offshore powerboat racing can only benefit the existing F4SA teams.
'We have been working closely with Powerboat P1 for the past few months on this agreement and I see it as the obvious way forward to raise the profile of the series and take it to a new level.' said Curtis.
A new name and identity for the series is planned which will see the introduction of two-stroke 300 hp Mercury engines in the 27 ft class. Honda's 150 hp engines remain in place for competitors in the smaller 21 ft class.
Powerboat P1 commercial director, Robert Wicks, said: 'We can now provide host cities with an enhanced offering by increasing television coverage and supplying a better inward economic investment. A talent pool of aspiring pilots now emerges who will be able to use the series as a natural stepping stone to our established international classes.
'The intention at this stage is to offer competing teams three race events in the UK and the equivalent in Europe, with the latter being held over the course of a Powerboat P1 race weekend.'
The first event of the new series' European tour is intended for the opening round of the 2010 Powerboat P1 World Championship in Split, Croatia next April and Wicks believes the latest addition to Powerboat P1 will be well supported.
'We recognise this is a big step for many of the teams, but we plan to support them to attend the European races. Feedback has been very encouraging and the teams have a real desire to race in Europe.'
To enhance the value of the series immediately, starting places are likely to be limited to ten boats in each class for the European rounds and 15 for the British events. Powerboat P1 is also reviewing the potential of combining the results from the European and British events to crown an overall world champion for the series.
The British series has nurtured the likes of Shelley Jory and James Sheppard who both achieved success in P1 after establishing themselves in the smaller capacity class.
Jory, one-half of 2009 SuperSport Turkish Grand Prix of the Sea champions Ikocasa, is extremely excited by the partnership, and sees the F4SA series as a platform for drivers hoping to make the future step up to Powerboat P1. She said: 'I raced in the championship for four years and learned an exceptional amount.
'I made the step up from F4SA to Evolution Class and taking on extremely sharp turns against five boats provided me with some invaluable experience for racing in Powerboat P1.'
Key to the agreement was the ability to enhance the profile of the series through the extensive Powerboat P1 media platform. 'Powerboat P1 enjoys a significant media presence - through our many international broadcasters, in the specialist and lifestyle press and on the Internet - and we can immediately raise the level of awareness of the series and return some tangible, measurable value for sponsors,' said Wicks.
Details of the 2010 calendar, regulations and incentives for competing teams will be released by Powerboat P1 Management in mid-December.
by Powerboat P1
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