The 2015 Powerboat GP British Championships come to a close this weekend (12/13 September) as they head to Stewartby for the Bedford GP, which is set to be a nail biting finale to the season as six RYA British Champions are crowned.
In all the classes throughout the season the competition has been hot and many of the championship battles are yet to be decided so becoming the 2015 Powerboat GP RYA British Champion will come down to the best performances at the Bedford GP.
In the junior GT15 class Thomas Mantripp has a 6 point lead on rival Jonathan Brewer but as anything can happen in Powerboat Racing Jonathan will be fighting to catch the Lowestoft youngster to see who can claim the British title. Meanwhile there’s everything to play for in the bronze medal position as Elliott Fleet and Harvey Smith go into the weekend tied on points it will be a close battle and it will be a really battle of nerves and wit to take the Bronze medal.
The T850 campaign has been one of the most exciting this season with constant battles throughout the fleet at every round of the season and the finale looks set to be even more dramatic as Matt Wood challenges for his first British Championship title as he tries to hold off local racer Nigel Edwards from the championship top spot.
The OSY400 Powerboat GP Championship sees just 5 points separate the top 3 in the championship. Luke Hugman looks like the favourite to secure the British title to compliment his 2015 British Sprint title but Jason Mantripp and Bexley Nunn will not make it easy for their Lowestoft club mate.
Ben Jelf looks a certainty to claim his 11th British championship title this weekend in the GT30 class as he heads into the Bedford GP with an 18 point lead, but the youngster will not be resting on his laurels and will be looking to take a clean sweep of Grand Prix wins to cement the championship crown knowing anything can happen in Powerboat Racing and usually does.
Sam Whittle’s consistently strong performances this season look set to seal the 2015 F4 Championship in his first British title win. All eyes will be on the rest of the fleet to see who can secure the second and third championship places with just 1 point separating Natalie Craddock and Rob Veares from each other and the Silver and Bronze medal places.
In an epic finale that will resemble the shoot-out at the O.K. Corral, the final F2 Grand Prix of 2015 will be full of fast and furious action. Steve Hoult takes the lead into the final weekend of competition with a seven point lead over Colin Jelf but with a recent return to form Jelf will be fighting for the title every inch of the race course. Paul Balfour and Alan Marshall will also be battling for a podium place and will look to upset proceedings for Hoult and Jelf and will all be fighting for the Bedford GP title to end the season on a high.
Powerboat GP promoter Jason Brewer is looking forward to a frantic finish to the season and had this to say on the upcoming weekend “It’s been a fantastic season so far with lots of changes at the top in most of the classes. None of the championships are 100% secure and that leads to a fantastic finale. Every racer will be pushing themselves and their boats to the limits to get those final points to see who will be crowned champion. It’s certainly one not to be missed and I for one can’t wait.”
The on water action will get underway from 10.30 on both Saturday 12th and Sunday 3rd September starting with qualifying and then with each class competing over three heats to find the 2015 Bedford GP winners and the Powerboat GP RYA British Champions of 2015.