Cowes Classic powerboat race roars in to town 

Racers revving up to take on the 182 nautical mile challenge

Once again the Solent will reverberate to the sound of high powered, high octane powerboats when the Cowes Classic Powerboat Race roars into town. Just as the hubbub of Cowes Week has died down along the shores of the Isle of Wight, and life seems set to resume to its usual pace on the slide into autumn, you guessed it, the power boaters arrive to stir up the pace of life. Yes, it’s time again for the 2014 edition of the world’s most prestigious offshore powerboat race, The Cowes to Torquay, Torquay to Cowes to be held during  the weekend of 30 – 31 August 2014.

The Cowes - Torquay - Cowes race covers a distance of 182 nautical miles. The record of two hours, eighteen minutes and five seconds was set in 2008 by Fabio Buzzi, Simon Powell and Rafael Del Pino from Italy in the boat 'Red FPT' at an average speed of 91.1 mph.

Cowes is recognized as the birthplace of international powerboat racing. It is therefore fitting that every year some of the biggest, brightest, loudest and most powerful boats in the world assemble to re-enact the famous race from Cowes to Torquay then turn around and race back from Torquay to Cowes where the first race was hosted in 1961. 

After the overwhelming success of a new race format in 2013, which saw the fleet stopping in Torquay, the organisers have agreed to run the race in two parts once again. They were inspired by the enthusiastic response of the race fans at the Torquay stopover last year and have decided to stay with this successful format.

New format

The new format is a bonus for powerboating fans on the mainland as it provides a chance for viewing of the boats from Torquay’s Haldon Pier between the races. Access to the pontoons will be limited to officials and race teams but drivers will meet with spectators on the pier. There are also several vantage points on the headlands of Torquay Bay where fans can watch the boats both arrive in Torquay and race back toward Cowes.  

An exciting change is also planned for the start at Cowes this year with the race returning to its roots. In close consultation with the safety team at the RYA the race organisers have worked hard to ensure the fans see an organised start closer to the shore. In recent years the race start has not been accessible to the general public, and was held past Hurst Castle where only the most hardy boaties or passengers on the start boat could actually watch the action. Thankfully this year the race start returns to its birthplace in the Solent off the Royal Yacht Squadron at Cowes.

With more boats competing this year the start will be critical as the racers jostle for the most advantageous position on the line. Spectators should choose their spot early to ensure the best view. The start at Cowes provides excellent spectator opportunities at Egypt Point where the fleet will be accelerating on their way down the Solent and out into Christchurch Bay.

Event Director Dorian Griffith commented on the new start format:  “I am thrilled that the start is back in Cowes. The BPRC has demonstrated to the RYA and UIM that it can run races safely, and their work with the RYA has enabled the return of the start of this world famous race to its rightful place in Cowes. This will give Cowes a massive boost as spectators can once again experience the largest gathering of ear-shattering, spine-tingling horsepower being used in anger on the water when the raceboats cross the start line on Sunday morning at 9am.”

The Previous Event Director John Moore wished the racers well saying: “Over the course of the last four years we have put a great team in place and in the process demonstrated to the relevant officials that the BPRC can run a Cowes start.”

The locals of Cowes can now see on Sunday morning race boats running past the Medina Estuary, true to form as it was in the glory days.”

Winner for spectators

The new format is a definite winner for the spectators on both the Isle of Wight and at Torquay, giving fans an absolute feast of powerboat action with two starts and two finishes. Four exciting opportunities to see the action.

Dawn in Cowes will break to the sound of roaring engines and activity on the water will be evident from approximately 08:45 when the racing fleet will muster to the east of the Cowes Harbour entrance. Race boats will then pass at speed in a convoy between Snowden and Trinity House buoys before starting the actual race immediately to the north of Gurnard Cardinal Buoy at 09:00.

The fastest race boats should be approaching Berry Head by 10am and will continue on northward to a mark at the Ore Stone before turning and heading into the finish off Haldon Pier at Torquay. At Torquay the boats will form up and parade past Haldon Pier at 13.00 before lining up for the race start back to Cowes at 13.30pm.

Depending on the conditions the fastest boats should appear back in the Solent at approximately two thirty for a finish off the Gurnard Cardinal Mark at Egypt Point.

The boats will be located at the wet pits at each end of the race course and excellent viewing opportunities will be available for spectators. Remember to allow enough time to get back to your favourite vantage point once the boats start their engines.

The drivers are keen to meet with their fans, however from a safety perspective we have to change the way this interaction takes place so this year there will not be access to the pontoon and the best place to chat with the race crew is at the Pier above the pits, the drivers will come to you.

The races form two parts of the RYA National Marathon Championship with the Cowes to Torquay being RYA National Marathon Championship (Heat 1) plus UIM International Ordinary Race. The Torquay to Cowes being RYA National Marathon Championship (Heat 2) and UIM International Ordinary Race.

Viewing Places and Times

• Egypt Point, Isle of Wight (09.00 and 14.30-17.00)
• Hurst Castle (09.05-09.30 and 14.20-17.00)
• Fort Victoria, Isle of Wight (09.05-09.30 and 14.20-17.00)
• Anvil Point (09.20-11.00 and 14.00-16.20)
• St Alban’s Head (09.20-11.00 and 14.00-16.30)
• Portland Bill (09.30-11.00 and 14.00-16.00)
• Berry Head (10.10-12.00 and 13.30-14.00)
• Daddyhole Plain, Torquay (10.15-12.00 and 13.30-13.45)
• Haldon Pier, Torquay (10.15-13.45)

*All timings are approximate and subject to change depending on weather conditions Access to the Jubilee Haven, Cowes and the pontoons at Haldon Pier, Torquay is limited to race crews and officials.

Cowes Wet Pits - Jubilee Haven, Royal Yacht Squadron, The Castle, Cowes, Isle of Wight PO31 7QT.

Wet pits will be available from 09.00 Saturday 30 August to 21.00 hours Sunday 31 August.

Torquay Wet Pits - Haldon Pier, Torquay, Devon TQ1 2BG Wet pits will be available from 10.30 to 15.00 on Sunday 31 Aug.

To find out more check out the Race Website www.cowestorquaycowes.co.uk   

Pre-race report provided by Geoff Davies, Cowes Torquay Media