RYA National Circuit Championship draws to a close 

This weekend sees the conclusion of the 2010 RYA National Circuit Powerboat Racing Championships at Stewartby Water Sports Club, Bedford.

Over 50 competitors have battled it out this season in 7 classes for the title of 2010 National Champion, and this weekend will see them fight for the final points to be crowned champions.  

In the Outboard Hydroplane Class Julian Codling has a 10 point lead over his closest opponent and fresh from international success in the European F250 will be confident that he can add the National title to his 2010 achievements along with his European Bronze Medal. Although Wayne Turner wont give the Championship Title up without a fight.  

The OSY400 Class has been with out a doubt one closest contested championship battles this year as club mates from Lowestoft and Oulton Broad Motor Boat Club youngsters James Bowman (17) and Luke Hugman (18) have gone head to head creating some exhilarating racing.  Just 6 points separates the duo from each other and one of them taking the 2010 championship title and it’s destined to be a nail biter of a finish!  

Another hotly contested championship is the Junior J250 Class where 4 points separates Stewartby’s Ben Jelf (10) and Lancashire Powerboat Racing Clubs Natalie Craddock (14) from their first National Championship Title. Ben who earlier this season secured the Sprint Championship will know he has an advantage but will also be aware that it’s a very narrow one and knows how strong his fellow competitors are. Natalie will be putting up a strong fight and will be aiming to become the first Female Junior Circuit Racer in over 10 Years.  

In its inaugural Championship year the GT30 sees Lancashire’s Ben Morse fighting off a strong fleet of contenders including 3 times World F2 Champion Colin Jelf, 2009 Debut Formula 1 Racer Malcolm Goodman. Just 6 points separates the 5 racers in this class Ben will be hoping the months of practising and development he’s put in to the class will pay off and he’ll be able to hold closest rivals Malcolm and Nick Walsh at bay.  

Lowestoft’s Peter Mantripp leads the T850 Monohull class and has been a dominating force throughout the season taking a hat trick of wins so far. Peter will be looking to make it 4 in a row this weekend at Stewartby but with a 14 point lead over rival Mike Pillow he has the option to play it safe with a 4th place finish being enough to enable him  take the championship.  

The 2010 S850 Championship sees 2009 National Champion Stephen Batch with a 12 point lead over 2010 F4 (S850) World Champion Mark Williams who has Scott Curtis the 2009 F4 World Champion only two points behind him. As their engines roar into life Stephen will look to get the best start as the lights go out and leave his two fierce adversaries in his wake. Knowing that either one could stand between him and his National title.  

The final Championship title up for grabs this weekend is that of the affectionately  known “Big Cats” in the NS2000 class. Lancashire’s Bill Owen currently leads the fleet but has experienced technical problems on his last two outings that have seen the experienced fleet close the gap narrowing his lead to 12 points. Club mate Alan Marshall is sat only 10 points behind him the championship standings and will fight every inch of the course to take top honours.  

Action will take place on the 25th & 26th September at Stewartby Water Sports Club, Green Lane, Bedford from 10am on both days.     

For more information visit www.stewartbypowerboat.com