race calendar 2014

SteveB · 14 January 2014, 19:50

Is there a central website that lists all the available race events for ribs or marathon racing in the UK for 2014 ? RYA site is pretty useless.

If there is nothing out there does anyone know of any clubs on the south coast that are running races in May

tks

John Kennett · 14 January 2014, 21:22

Have a look on Boatmad www.boatmad.com

That's probably the best source of powerboat race info.

Cookee · 15 January 2014, 07:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveB

Is there a central website that lists all the available race events for ribs or marathon racing in the UK for 2014 ? RYA site is pretty useless.

If there is nothing out there does anyone know of any clubs on the south coast that are running races in May

tks

The RYA are useless - the Round Britain thing Hugo is doing is mentioned on there and then there's the race to Monte Carlo - not sure what else there will be at this stage for Marathon other than Cowes Torquay?

biffer · 15 January 2014, 07:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cookee

The RYA are useless - the Round Britain thing Hugo is doing is mentioned on there and then there's the race to Monte Carlo - not sure what else there will be at this stage for Marathon other than Cowes Torquay?

Morning John, I talked to Chris, the owner of GEE, he was at the meeting at the boat show, his feeling was that they are still unsure of what's going on with the London to Monte Carlo, his attitude was that he's not going to do it if they are not offer anything in return for the entrance fee other than "it's going to happen". Do you know what's going on?

Cookee · 15 January 2014, 13:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by biffer

Morning John, I talked to Chris, the owner of GEE, he was at the meeting at the boat show, his feeling was that they are still unsure of what's going on with the London to Monte Carlo, his attitude was that he's not going to do it if they are not offer anything in return for the entrance fee other than "it's going to happen". Do you know what's going on?

No more than anyone else really - Like all things racing Boatmad is probably a better resource than here but the organisers have been very positive from the very beginning, race instructions will hopefully be available by the end of the month which will make everything a bit more "real", I am still hopeful it will run with or without us.

biffer · 15 January 2014, 13:25

Ummm, Chris's words were vacant car park, so he's out. Oh well,, I've done it in a racing car would have been nice to do it in a boat as well

Cookee · 15 January 2014, 13:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by biffer

Ummm, Chris's words were vacant car park, so he's out. Oh well,, I've done it in a racing car would have been nice to do it in a boat as well

Shame but I think it would have needed a lot of restraint to get her there in one piece anyway - from what I saw on RB08 the old girl isn't used to the higher speeds in rougher conditions.

SteveB · 15 January 2014, 13:41

i have to confess i am a bit surprised about people not signing up to the race because of the worry about loosing their entry fee when considering an event like the London to MC. The entry fee is tiny compared to the other costs involved in competing, especially if its split between a crew of 3 or 4.

biffer · 15 January 2014, 13:44

True enough but we still won our class, she's a 50 year old boat and she only did 40 knots when it was built and that's what it does now, speed would be nice but on a race that long I'd plumb for reliability every time

Cookee · 15 January 2014, 13:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveB

i have to confess i am a bit surprised about people not signing up to the race because of the worry about loosing their entry fee when considering an event like the London to MC. The entry fee is tiny compared to the other costs involved in competing, especially if its split between a crew of 3 or 4.

In all fairness some money has been lost (myself included) on the original Cowes Monte Carlo and I for one don't blame people for being cautious. I can understand Chris's reticence given that and his apparent lack of confidence to be honest.

Cookee · 15 January 2014, 13:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by biffer

True enough but we still won our class, she's a 50 year old boat and she only did 40 knots when it was built and that's what it does now, speed would be nice but on a race that long I'd plumb for reliability every time

An excellent result and if she isn't pushed beyond her limits I'm sure she would make good time to Monte!

biffer · 15 January 2014, 13:52

The entry fee is a drop in the ocean you are right, but without any firm commitment on the organisers side how can we make plans, our boat is in antibes, we have got to get her here strip out the cabin and convert her to race trim, arrange support, transport, sponsors, etc, all these people firm commitments, in all honesty how could I give anybody my word with what I have heard so far

biffer · 15 January 2014, 13:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cookee

An excellent result and if she isn't pushed beyond her limits I'm sure she would make good time to Monte!

Being a mercenary I will do what ever Chris tells me to do" within reason", but I agree with you the old girl has done her stint, I would hate myself if I broke her

Cookee · 15 January 2014, 16:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by biffer

The entry fee is a drop in the ocean you are right, but without any firm commitment on the organisers side how can we make plans, our boat is in antibes, we have got to get her here strip out the cabin and convert her to race trim, arrange support, transport, sponsors, etc, all these people firm commitments, in all honesty how could I give anybody my word with what I have heard so far

I have put a thread on Boatmad outlining the possibilities for this year and this event in particular - I reckon £50k might see us to Monte and back with two motor homes and a tow vehicle (you can bet we'll have to miss at least one leg out) - our small engined boat is incredibly economical!

I think the organisers are firmly committed it's their ability to persuade everyone else that it will happen is always the tough bit!

biffer · 15 January 2014, 16:29

Well I wish you all the best and if I can help let me know

Cookee · 16 January 2014, 12:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by biffer

Well I wish you all the best and if I can help let me know

Find me someone with pots of money and persuade them to give me lots!

biffer · 16 January 2014, 13:15

LOL, when they've got money they know how to keep hold of it

Andre Barker · 23 January 2014, 09:16

Hi Steve, I would be interested to know if you found any rib races or challenge events apart from the 'Round UK' event.

SteveB · 26 January 2014, 20:04

nothing as yet. i am down for the venture cup race and will be doing the C-T later in the year but would like to do another 2 or 3 national races in 2014 if possible. i have spent a long time getting my boat ready and want to race it.

I have not considered the round Britain event as i think this is more of a cruise than a race - correct me if i am wrong.

I would love it if we could get a steady 4-5 marathon race calendar together each year in the UK. Maybe even do a joint event with the French off Brittany etc.

Maybe the Venture Cup team could be persuaded to get 2 smaller races (weekend 2 day racing) going in conjunction with the big event each year (not that they don't have enough on their plates already)

Gilles · 10 April 2014, 17:58

round UK organized by Hugo is for sure a cruise and not a race as it s organized for small ribs from 4.5 meters. like the round of ireland.