An innovator from day one!
Today over 35 years later, ABPE is looking to sustainable fuel and power source technology to take us to net-zero and beyond. But, it has to be practical, workable and acceptable to the operator. It’s so good to be harmonising passions as a new path opens up for ABPE. The focus now is on the ‘next step’, where sustainable fuel developments can provide the immediate transition phase toward net-zero. While we can acknowledge electric and ultimately hydrogen fuel-cell power, is on the horizo...
September 18, 2021Trophies and Honourable Gentlemen!
During the 1970’s while I was working for Sabre Engine, a pleasant gentleman called Roy Fisher joined the company to take up the position of Contracts Manager. At the time, I was chief service engineer, and much of the records of customers and engine sales were filed in Roy’s office. Inevitably we struck up conversations and I learned a little of his history. His engagement at Sabre was something of a career ‘wind down’, courtesy of his friend and fellow Royal Motor Yacht Club (RMYC) mem...
September 12, 2021Website update
My new view is just a little piece of The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park...
September 8, 2021Offshore: Past, Present and Future
The 1980’s – cats, diesels and sooty water-lines, evolution in action!...
August 23, 2019A view from 'Down Under'!
Again, draw your own conclusions! In reference to the previous post and the deep suspicion I have felt, I am now truly sad to say, that information received subsequent to that post, has unfortunately reinforced that view. I really cannot comprehend the degree to which this is not just disappointing, it borders on sickening! I will proceed with caution because, while I would always advise against litigation, I realise the issue may, understandably, come to that. The primary contest here is a fou...
March 31, 2019Accepting Fuel Responsibility!
The Australian 'Supercar' Championship runs on E85...
January 11, 2019Instigating Evolution!
Imagine offshore powerboat racing having a public profile strong enough to make the back cover of the UK’s most prestigious national newspaper. AB with Mike Ring under Tower Bridge at the start of the London-Brighton race (1989/90?). Photo: Times Newspapers Ltd...
November 29, 2018Courage & Commitment - are you ready?
I guess I have previously spelt out much of the circumstance which, in my opinion, brought about the demise of true offshore powerboat racing internationally. I have analysed the issues and ultimately concluded that – relative to professional motorsports - offshore powerboat racing has failed to retain a position of relevance. The comments and responses received, convince me I am not alone in this view! The key observations are: · True ‘offsh...
November 17, 2018Combating Elitism!
Milling area: It’s ‘Airlie Race Week’, and over two hundred sailing boats of all sizes and classes are gathered for a week of racing and socialising. Airlie is just the warm-up for the following week when they are joined by almost as many again to contest the nearby ‘AUDI Hamilton Island Race Week’....
August 13, 2018A real ‘Offshore Powerboat Race’ in the UK
I couldn’t let this week pass without commenting on the first offshore powerboat race – other than the C-T-C – in the UK for several years. Facebook, for all its faults, enabled me to follow the action quite well 12,000 miles away! The ‘Fortitudo Property Poole Bay 100’ certainly attracted some attention and can ultimately be judged a success. Great credit must go to Kerry Bobbin and the sanctioning UK Offshore Powerboat Racing Association. Not least because Kerry pulled together a re...
June 17, 2018Events - or maybe Non-Events!
Something is about to happen! (Photo: Reg Blunt)...
May 28, 2018A 'Class' Act!
The story so far: This discussion follows a series of articles examining the evolution and issues in offshore powerboat racing and questioning its future. It concluded that the conceptual notion of the sport as a true offshore challenge has eroded as the ‘speed’ element usurped every other quality. There was an era where the offshore ‘spirit’ peaked and we have all questioned the subsequent decline. I put forward the suggestion that the style of racing suited to high speed multihu...
May 15, 2018Remodelling Offshore Powerboat Racing
A clear picture: The story so far, is the recognition that offshore powerboat racing, globally, has degenerated. This has occurred as individual nations, promotors, clubs and factions created alternatives to the original UIM Class structure template. The disparate consequences reflect the essentially amateur nature of the sport. What also became clear, is the very high speed, multi lap, inshore, sprint-style of racing for cats, became a totally different sport to the original concept, now identi...
April 3, 2018Offshore Powerboat Racing - A new formula!
My thanks again to John Moore for his comments and support – and publishing these posts on his ‘Powerboat Racing World’ online magazine. There have been plenty of ‘Likes’, supportive comments and some great ‘Message’ communications and again, my thanks to all who have taken an interest, it’s very encouraging to know there are many in the offshore community who do ‘get it’! A really interesting comment from my erstwhile acquaintance, good FB friend and highly respected marine ...
March 22, 2018A Future
Environmental consideration, two 5.8 litre engines, marine industry engagement, commercial marketing engagement – what next, women drivers? Oh…..hang on! (Photo by Chris Davies)...
March 12, 2018Offshore Powerboat Racing - A Professional Model
Le Mans Prototype (LMP) and GT cars start and endurance race...
March 7, 2018Offshore Powerboat Racing - An Amateur Shambles!
'Big Oil' supporting offshore powerboat racing, 'then'!...
February 20, 2018News
As promised when I closed the previous ‘Blog’ last year, I have finally dropped the start flag on my new ‘home made’ website. It may be somewhat controversial for some, but it’s essentially a reflection of my values and views on the two things I feel passionate about - authentic 'offshore' powerboat racing and the transition to biofuels - and the prospect that these may be harmonised, enabling me to actually ‘Do Something’ to influence change! My thanks to the ...
February 11, 2018 Posts 1-18 of 18 | Page