Wigan Powerboat Racer secures British Title 

16 year old Natalie Craddock from Wigan takes second British Powerboat Racing Title as she secures the 2012 Powerboat GP RYA British GT30 Sprint Championship

This weekend (4/5 August) at Stewartby Powerboat Racing Club in Bedford the 2012 Powerboat GP RYA British Sprint Champions were declared after a fantastic weekends racing that saw 40 teams compete for 7 individual titles.  

GT30 Class

In the GT30 Class seven racers lined up to battle for what looked to be the most hotly contested championship of the weekend and a qualifying got under way it looked like the there would be little seperating the fleet.  

Jordan Muckles (16, Sunderland) set the fastest lap in qualifying in a new boat for the weekend taking the fastest qualifying time to a sub one minute. Kevin Hill took the second fastest qualifying time with the 2011 RYA British champion Natalie Craddock qualifying in 3rd.  

Heat 1

As the first heat of the day about underway Jordan pulled away from the fleet from his pole position to take a dominating lead in the heat. World Speed record holder Ben Morse took second with Natalie Craddock securing third.

Heat 2 

Muckles got another flying start in heat 2 but by lap two he suffered engine problems and was forced to retire from the race. Kevin Hill from his second place took the lead but Natalie Craddock was hot on his wake and just waiting for any opportunity to pass him to take the lead.  

By lap four Natalie had squeezed past Kevin took take the lead in a superb overtaking manoeuvre and held the lead to the finish. Hill finished second and Thomas Yallop took third place.  

Quick off the Start

Natalie continued strongly into the third heat knowing that a heat win would secure the 2012 Sprint tile for her. Quick off the line it would all be down to who got the best start and took the the first turn buoy in the lead. The field was inseperable as they headed into the first turn and as the spectators looked on in anticipation Natalie held her nerve and took the turn in first position.  

Muckles got a bad start but was gaining on the pack and making up ground when he again suffered Engine problems and once again on the second lap was forced to retire. Kevin Hill and Thomas Yallop put pressure on Craddock throughout the race but once in front Natalie was to going to give up her lead with out a serious fight.  

Natalie held her nerve to the chequered flag and Kevin Hill and Thomas Yallop took second and third respectively.  

Natalie Craddock was declared 2012 Powerboat GP RYA British Sprint Champion as points were counted to announce the Silver and Bronze medal positions. With the calculations completed Kevin Hill took Silver and Thomas Yallop Bronze in a fantastic achievement in his first year of racing in the class.

Surprised 

Talking to the newly crowned champion she had this to say "It’s all a bit of a surprise really! I had no idea I was in with a chance of winning the title and when I qualified in third I figured I may have to settle at best for a top three result. "  

Natalie continued ”It was a really good event,  in the GT30 class there are so many good drivers you really have to keep your head down and concentrate as the racing is so close, if you make a little mistake you could easily lose a place or two. I think I had an idea I could win the weekend after winning the 2nd heat but tried not to think about it to much. I just went in to the 3rd heat acting like the other two races didn't count and it was all down to the last one.”  

2012 Powerboat GP RYA British GT30 Sprint Championship Standings

1st Natalie Craddock

2nd Kevin Hill

3rd Thomas Yallop

4th Jess Stoneman

5th Nigel Edwards

6th Jordan Muckles

7th Ben Morse