Jelf Racing - Fantastic Start to the season !
The 2013 Powerboat GP RYA British Championship kicked off in style with the Lancashire Grand Prix over the w
weekend of the 4 & 5 of May. The good weather and the promise of a show to remember did not disappoint the record number of crowds that lined the shores of Carr Mill Dam, all eager to get a prime view of all of the on-water action.
Tiff Needell once again joined the Powerboat GP show with his unique presenting style in addition to over 40 drivers of various ages providing a spectacular program of events for the enthusiastic crowd.
One of the many highlights of the weekend’s events came from our youngest competitors in the GT15 Class. 12 boats battled for positions throughout the weekend, thrilling the crowds with their determination and skill with lots of crowd pleasing overtaking maneuvers. 2012 British & European GT15 Champion Ben Jelf of Peters & May Racing held his nerve and claimed victory in all 3 heats despite a strong challenge from Thomas Mantripp with his new Estonian built speed machine & Charlotte Newton of Top Cat Racing in 3rd.
With rookie GT15 Drivers Elliot Fleet, Harvey Smith & Jack Pickles all putting in a strong performance and mixing it well with the experienced drivers, we look forward to seeing the battles play out for the all important podium positions over the rest of the season.
The F2 Class proved to be the biggest crowd pleaser of the weekend as 10 boats lined up to challenge for the podium and make their mark at the championship’s opening round. A real mix of experience from World & British Champions to the new ‘young guns’ took to the tricky 5-pin course of Carr Mill Dam.
Despite setting pole position, Owen Jelf failed to start with the rest of the field during heat 1 and new F2 Driver, Steve Hoult, seized the opportunity by storming ahead into the lead and holding the top spot as he crossed the finish line ahead of Owen in 2nd & Paul Balfour in 3rd.
Heat 2 saw Owen Jelf not making the same mistake twice and he blasted into the lead despite Paul Balfour being in hot pursuit and comfortably held on to 1st position for the 12 lap heat . Elsewhere, 2012 F2 British Champion Malc Goodman of JPL Racing, who seemed to be struggling with various engines problems throughout the whole weekend had to hold off a strong attack from rookie F2 Drivers Matt Palfreyman & Scott Curtis.
With it all to play for, the final heat of the day proved to be the most entertaining for the crowds that lined just about every visible space around the Dam. Keen to hold on to the top spot, Owen Jelf once again went nose to nose with Paul Balfour into the first turn but this time they were joined by Maclaren H20 Driver Matt Palfreyman who had a blistering pace on the start straight.
An accident between Scott Curtis & Steve Hoult on the infamous right hand turn of the course caused a race stoppage and the retirement of Scott with extensive damage to his boat. A real disappointment for Scott who up to that point, was making his way up the race positions.
The final overall winner of the F2 Lancashire GP was Owen Jelf followed by Steve Hoult 2nd & Paul Balfour 3rd. A fantastic opening round of the F2 British Championship, which only promises to keep getting better throughout the season !
The Lancashire Grand Prix was a tremendous success and we hope you can join us for the next round of the 2013 Powerboat GP RYA British Championship on the 26/27 May for the Lowestoft Grand Prix.
|
Press Release : Jelf Racing Team – Ready for 2013 Season !
Kent based Powerboat Racing Team ready for new season action !
Peters & May, the world’s leading global logistics company have once more pledged their support of powerboat racingfor the forthcoming season by adding 3 times World F2 Champion Colin Jelf (43, Maidstone) to their already impressive line up of contracted drivers.
The 2013 season will see Peters & May strengthen their association with the Jelf Racing Team throughout British and International powerboat competition as they aim to power forward to further glory and add more silverware to their already impressive trophy cabinet.
2012 saw European and double British Champion Ben Jelf (12, Maidstone) and his cousin Beth Stoneman (13, Chatham) proudly associated with the Peters & May Racing brand as they competed in the RYA British Powerboat Racing Championships.
Ben, who in 2011 became Britain's youngest World Powerboat Racing Champion and World Record Holder secured the UIM World Silver Medal, European Gold, World & British Speed Record and two British Championship titles in 2012. Whilst cousin Beth, who was racing in her first season, finished 6th in the British Championships.
With the 2013 season due to start on the 4th & 5th May at the Powerboat GP Lancashire Grand Prix at Carr Mill Dam in St Helen's, preparations for the team are well underway.
Ben will be aiming to retain his double British Championship Titles for the 4th consecutive year whilst Beth is ready to raise the game and challenge her younger cousin for that top spot.
Both racers will also compete in the UIM World GT15 Championships as they come to Nottingham Water Sports Centre on the 31st August for a two-day competition attracting young 10-16 year old powerboat racers from around the world.
In addition to the two Junior Peters & May Drivers the team welcomes the return of Ben's father, 3 x F2 World Champion Colin Jelf as he also takes to the water in Peters & May Racing colours to compete in the British F2 Championships.
Colin, who won the prestigious World F2 Championship Crown in 2006, 2007 & 2008, is the only racer to have ever won the championship in three consecutive years. He has spent the last couple of seasons in semi retirement whilst he concentrated on developing his sons racing career. In addition to his world achievements Colin also has multi Continental & British Titles to his name.
Ben Jelf commented "Beth and I get invaluable support from our families and sponsors and now we're getting older we can do more things for ourselves and help the team more which will give my father Colin, plenty of time to focus on his own racing. It's going to be a very exciting season and Beth and I can't wait to get started and hopefully do our families and sponsors proud!"
New Peters & May Driver and team manager Colin Jelf commented “ I am looking forward to getting back into the driving seat with renewed enthusiasm as much has changed in the class since I last raced. I have a lot to learn with the new F2 optimax engine so I will be taking my time to settle down. I would like to express our thanks on behalf of the team to Peters & May, BS Motorsport & all of our sponsors for their continued support. They make everything possible and we are committed to representing their brand’s in a professional manner and hopefully bringing some good results !”
The British Championship will see the team battle it out at British Championship Grand Prix in addition to the British Sprint Championship in August;
Round 1 - Powerboat GP Lancashire Grand Prix 4/5 May 2013, Carr Mill Dam, St Helen's
Round 2 - Powerboat GP Lowestoft Grand Prix 26/27 May 2013 Oulton Broad, Lowestoft
Round 3 - Powerboat GP Kingsbury Grand Prix 6/7 July 2013 Kingsbury Water Park, Bodymoor Heath
Round 4 - Powerboat GP Bedford Grand Prix 21/22 September 2013 Stewartby, Bedford
Powerboat GP British Sprint Championships 3/4 August 2013 Stewartby, Bedford
|
Peters & May sign Colin Jelf for 2013 !
|
Press Release- Peters & May sign 3 times F2 World Champion
Following the successful signing of Junior Drivers Ben Jelf & Beth Stoneman in 2012, Peters & May are very pleased to confirm that following a period of retirement, former F2 Champion Colin Jelf will return to racing full time in 2013 for the Peters & May Racing Team.
Colin (43,Maidstone) will compete in the RYA British F2 National & Sprint Championships that are part of the hugely successful Powerboat GP series and will race the full season as well retaining his duties as chief mechanic for the UK team.
As a world industry leader in global logistics, the signing of Colin Jelf demonstrates Peters & May’s continuing commitment to the sport of powerboat racing with driver’s spanning many different disciplines across the world. It echo’s their continuing corporate success and compliment’s their results in delivering a first class service to a diverse range of clients.
As a committed investor into the sport, Peters & May also continue to work closely with the powerboating authorities including the UIM, RYA & APBA and their partners in the UIM Youth Development scheme.
Dave Holley, CEO of Peters & May comments “We are delighted to confirm the signing of Colin Jelf to the Peters & May Racing brand. Our company continues to be active in the development of powerboat racing at both National & International level and the addition of Colin to our existing pool of drivers only reiterates our ongoing commitment to the sport at all levels of competition. We wish him and all of our drivers the best of luck for the season ahead”
|
Colin says “I would like to thank Peters & May for their continued support of all of the team drivers which now includes myself. It’s fantastic to have the opportunity to race again and I feel honoured to be included in such a prestigious line-up of champions that are already part of Peters & May Racing family.
The dedication and personal commitment shown by Peters & May towards their drivers is unrivalled and I look forward to being back in driving seat knowing that I have a great team & fantastic sponsors backing me all the way.”
| |
Peters & May drivers collect 2012 awards !
|
|
On Saturday 2nd February 2013 the Jelf Team headed to Southampton for the RYA Powerboat Racing Awards Ceremony that was held at the Novotel Hotel.
With more than an armful of awards to be presented to him after another sucessful year, Peters & May driver Ben , had to be assisted with his trophy collection by his father Colin Jelf.
Cheered on by massive support from everyone attending, Ben was presented with his awards by Mr Tiff Needell. A really proud moment for the team, our friends & family.
|
Saturday 2nd March saw the team heading for the final award ceremony and attended the 41st Annual Stewartby Powerboat Club awards that were held in the Mercure Parkside Hotel in Milton Keynes.
Peters & May GT15 Driver Beth Stoneman was awarded with the club 'hard luck trophy' after missing out on the final races of 2012 due to injuring her thumb during the Nottingham event.
Beth had a great rookie season in 2012 & is raring to get back in the driving seat for 2013.
| |
| Peters May Driver Ben Jelf was awarded the club GT15 Championship Trophy after getting good results during the SWSC club events.
In addition, Ben was also awarded the prestigious SWSC Bougain Award for International Acheivement. This was in recognition for his international success at the GT15 European & World Championships in 2012.
We would like to thank all of our team, Sponsors & friends for their invaluable support during the 2012 season & hope that we continue to get good results in 2013 !
|
|
