P1 Superstock and AquaX Championships hit the Humber 

23,000-strong crowd watch thrilling race action as GD Environmental cleans up with hat-trick of victories

Carrying the name of his own South Wales-based waste management company, James Norvill drove GD Environmental Services superbly to record three wins in the second round of the P1 SuperStock UK Championship in Hull this weekend (21-22 June). With fellow Welsh-man Charlie Parsons-Young alongside him, Norvill erased the memory of a disappointing performance in Bournemouth at the start of the month to put his 2014 title challenge firmly back on track.  

Victorious GD Environmental Services in action  

“The work we’ve done on the boat since the opening round has certainly paid off and it should only get better now” said Norvill. The Newport pairing, who also compete in the P1 series in the USA, will be looking to continue their winning run when they race in home waters at the P1 Welsh Grand Prix of the Sea later this month.  

Beverley-born former SuperStock champion John Wilson ended the Grand Prix in second place thanks to three solid performances – finishing 2nd, 3rd and 5th – despite having vibration problems with his Pertemps boat. “I’m happy with second” commented Wilson. “We were down on power all weekend, so we had to use every trick in the book and were running on the ragged edge.”  

IFX Racing’s run of victories came to an end, but consistent finishes gave them third spot on the podium and driver Nick Williams was in a positive mood as he headed home to Bucking-hamshire: “It’s just a blip and we are happy to finish in third after a difficult weekend. It’s onwards and upwards from here as we look to extend our championship lead.”  

Podium celebrations  

The new Typhoo crew of father-and-son Scott and Dale Williams performed well in the P1 debut to finish fourth.   After an encouraging start to the season, the Bournemouth boat of Stuart and Sara Cureton finished seventh overall after being disqualified in the second race for failing to take the long lap at the start. Lycamobile Racing was in the thick of it all weekend. After being disqualified in the opening race for making contact with another boat, the team finished fourth and third in the next two races and driver Arran Scott from Dorset explained: “I am still getting used to the boat and the way people race.”  

Despite finishing at the bottom of the field, the local crew of Dave Taft and Gavin Feldt received huge praise for their weekend’s work in the Hull Speed Ahead boat. The aim is to achieve a podium place before the end of the season and the boys did Hull proud in front of the Humberside crowd lining the waterfront.  

Local crew Hull Speed Ahead    

Humber serves up testing conditions for AquaX

300 Class championship leader Phil Pope dominated in Hull in the P1 AquaX series, winning a hat-trick of races on his Yamaha FZS SVHO as the tough conditions took their toll. “It did really rough up in that last race” said Phil “but I wasn’t holding back. I was trying hard and I don’t like losing, and I am enjoying the P1 AquaX experience.”  

Twenty three riders contested the brutal conditions on the Humber to serve up a feast of thrilling race action with many different race leaders over the two days.   Tim Batte finished 3rd overall after leading both races before dropping back with arm pump. “I think I have led every race this year” said a bitterly disappointed Tim. “I love the rough conditions, and I know I have the speed to win.”  

P1 AquaX in action  

Spectacular battle

Spectators were treated to a spectacular battle between Cable and Pope in Race 3 before Cable came a cropper in the waves. “It was getting rougher and rougher and I just came off” said Cable, who had to wait for feeling to return to his hand before remounting the ski and continuing. Huddleston and Goodchild were in contention, and Goodchild picked up a 3rd and 2nd in race 3. “The ski is still not 100%, it feels down on power,” said Goodchild “but I thought I would continue and pick up the points.”  

Pope kept a consistent pace throughout, preferring to choose his battles rather than sprint to the first pin. His ‘hare and the tortoise’ approach paid off to earn him his first AquaX hat-trick of class wins. Local rider Steve Robinson finished in 2nd place having enjoyed riding with the front of the pack in all three races. “It has been really hard work this weekend, but I finally got to grips with the new ski, and the local support has been fantastic” said a delighted Steve. “The new ski has finally broken ME in!”  

Duncan Johnstone headed up the 250 class overall at the end of the weekend after securing two second place finishes and a victory in the last race. Saturday’s class winner Richard Rowe retired with mechanical issues after leading the first part of race 2. An elated Duncan said “Yaaaay, finally the Dude gets a win! It’s been a long time coming but I knew I had to get a win this weekend!” Robert Higgs also put in consistent performances in all three races to finish 2nd overall and Bournemouth winner Steve Hockney enjoyed a win in race 2 but retired from race 3 with mechanical problems to end up 3rd overall.  

200 class

In the 200 class Damien Evans also secured three wins from three races, despite still nursing his Bournemouth battle bruises. “It’s like the moment when you find the curly wurly in the glove box - I am really pleased with the weekend’s result” said Evans.   Dave Lee showed he has what it takes to run at the front of the class, picking 2nd overall. “I gave it my all in race 2 and, with the races so close together, it was all I could do to hang on in the final race” said Lee. Shipley had to settle for third overall after a big moment in race 2 and going for a swim in race 3. “It has been damage limitation this weekend” said a smiling Shipley. “The Humber is always so unpredictable as you get side-swiped by the waves, but I will have to see if I can claw back some points next round!”  

Watch the action

Coverage of the Hull Grand Prix of the Sea will be broadcast on Sky Sports on 16 July at 8.00pm with repeats later that night and throughout the following day.    

The P1 Welsh Grand Prix of the Sea will take place in Cardiff Bay on the weekend of 26 - 27 July.  

Find out more about P1 at www.p1superstock.co.uk

Article courtesy of P1