P1 schedule for 2008 [Archive]

ciao

12-04-2007, 05:31 PM

I'm hearing Eastbourne, for August Bank Holiday Weekend.

Not sure that would interest as me much as a "spectator", but my mate Nik, who I have done a few Cowes on and off the water with, is already working on his pass!

Rupert Munro

12-04-2007, 05:46 PM

Eastbounre !?!?!?!?!?! Noooooooooooooooooooooooo keep it as Cowes!

ciao

12-04-2007, 05:56 PM

"Cowes" want far too much money to hold the race, sad but true.

Rupert Munro

12-04-2007, 06:08 PM

"Cowes" want far too much money to hold the race, sad but true.

I'm sure that's true, damn stuck up RYA :mad:

ciao

12-04-2007, 06:16 PM

Not at all (this time) Cowes Harbour Master pricing the event over the top. Plus so many safety concerns etc.

Ben Mazur

12-04-2007, 06:19 PM

In 2005, Cowes Yacht Haven got 20,000 GBP (appx $41,000) from KBL (the P1 group) for the use of the marina for 3 days. That sort of greed would surely kill the goose that laid the golden egg.

In organising a couple of races in Eastbourne its advantages and disadvantages became obvious. The pier is good for spectators as is the seafront. The marina is modern but has a lock and getting all the boats in and out can be a problem. It is also some distance from the spectating areas and if the dry pits are located there, there is little possibility of spectators seeing the boats. Locating the dry pits towards the pier could solve that problem.

I guess it all depends if Eastbourne Council wants the event.

Rupert Munro

12-04-2007, 06:20 PM

Not at all (this time) Cowes Harbour Master pricing the event over the top. Plus so many safety concerns etc.

Then I slightly retract my comment (I'm sure the RYA is happy at the UK powerboat decline) The HM has always been a pain, Eastbourne will be nowhere near as good as Cowes as well as a much reduced income for the IOW. Realistically as long as (mainly) the sail boats comply with the request of the safety (mainly due to their lack of ability to move quickly) then their is no Real Danger.

ciao

12-04-2007, 06:21 PM

Ben, it would appear that P1 have been forced that way.

Rupert Munro

12-04-2007, 06:24 PM

Ben, it would appear that P1 have been forced that way.

It's ridiculous, P1 have brought the sport back to life in this country and especially in Cowes, to cut off the money that has been brought into the island is absolutely ridiculous and could only come about from a government like this one.

ciao

12-04-2007, 06:34 PM

Rupert Munro

12-04-2007, 06:38 PM

We now live in different times!

People don't think for the "good" of the town, they only worry for themselves, "Health and Safety".

Closing note before I go to bed - If Mike Lloyd can't get RB 08 sorted next year - It's over.

Well if it's not soreted next year then I see a problem too as it's RB 08 starting in June :D

Only joking! I'm sure (and desperately hoping) that it's all going to come together.

shifter

12-06-2007, 10:54 PM

What happened to Geurnsey? That was a fun race.

pat W

Ben Mazur

12-07-2007, 09:26 PM

Guernsey was my favorite venue. We went each year from 89 to 94 as spectators and raced there in 92 when we broke our Velocity 26 rather badly (separated the hull from the deck). What a fantastic spectacle in 90 or 91 to see 35 + Class 1 and 2 boats starting at the same time.

Apparently, Guernsey Tourism pulled the sponsorship plug after 94 for its own reasons. It would be great to see P1 there though.

Ben Mazur

12-07-2007, 09:38 PM

These pics were taken just after we damaged the boat in Guernsey. I guess it was a little lumpy that day. Note the flapping rub rail!

ciao

12-09-2007, 03:16 PM

What happened to Geurnsey? That was a fun race.

pat W

The residents of St. Peter Port didn't enjoy the parking problems that the race caused - and that sounds like one of my more ludicrous posts, but true.

Guernsey has been running races out of St. Sampsom's for the last couple of years on a far smaller scale, next year they are holding the 3C World Championships.

Dragon

12-10-2007, 11:59 AM

Ultimately, P1 will go to venues where they are paid to race, or where there is substantial sponsorship!

Cowes (not the RYA) has always been greedy, and that combined with the HM being such a nice and reasonable chap (not!), the racing has nearly moved away from Cowes on several occasions ... a real shame as it is certainly my favourite event ... despite the lack of space in the yacht harbour and lack of hotels.

My understanding for next year is that Malta, Germany and Portugal are all on as they have multi-year deals. There needs to be one in Italy, but so far all the venues have been a little suspect to say the least ... so we'll see.

I am told there will be 7 GPs in total, with the possibility of an 8th fully funded event (including travel) as the effective "finals". This is all dependent on fundng of course.

I know Asif will continue to put in money of course, but they want each of the events to pay for P1 to race.

P1 usually publish the dates in January ... so hopefully all will be revealed soon :)

ciao

12-10-2007, 07:36 PM

Cowes will be a major loss to the calendar. The F1 equivalent is Monaco.

I can't understand how they want to "price out" powerboats on August bank holiday weekend.

A guy that runs a hotel that we always stay in told me he makes more money on the 3 days of powerboat racing than Cowes Sailing Week.

Go figure Harbour Master.

shifter

12-10-2007, 10:49 PM

It figures I would spell that wrong. I tried everything but spell check.

Thanks for the info on 08 Dragon.

pat W

H2O-Full Throttle

12-11-2007, 12:51 PM

Was talking to Jim O'Toole last night and he told me where the confirmed sites are for next year and the ones still being negotiated and believe me its going to be an AWESOME series. :D :D

Also where they want it to go in the next couple of years is even more impressive. Cant give anything away but if you have plans to go powerboat racing then would suggest you give P1 some very serious thought.

Cheers

Ned

Rupert Munro

12-11-2007, 01:20 PM

Dragon

01-03-2008, 02:28 AM

Sounds like they plan to release the provisional calendar next week!

Cookee

01-03-2008, 04:37 AM

Sounds like they plan to release the provisional calendar next week!

I had a chat with Robert Wicks and there will be some surprises for sure - all will be revealed at the Excel Boat show on the 11th!

H2O-Full Throttle

01-03-2008, 07:43 PM

Cookee - Was talking with Jim O'Toole again last nite and its going to be an awesome season :D :D :D

Cookee

01-07-2008, 08:29 AM

Cookee - Was talking with Jim O'Toole again last nite and its going to be an awesome season :D :D :D

Looking forward to it - are you going to be at the meeting at Excel on Friday or did you get some inside information? :D

All I have so far is Marseille, Malta, Italy, Spain, Portugal and a Middle East final with 2 other Med venues - I should have the rest on Friday along with everyone else!

Dragon

01-08-2008, 09:14 AM

Looking forward to it - are you going to be at the meeting at Excel on Friday or did you get some inside information? :D

All I have so far is Marseille, Malta, Italy, Spain, Portugal and a Middle East final with 2 other Med venues - I should have the rest on Friday along with everyone else!

I heard 8 venues in total too, but would be surprised if Germany is not there.
With the number of UK teams, I would be surprised if not the UK too, although I understand Cowes has always been a bit of a problem :eek:

Cookee

01-08-2008, 09:40 AM

I heard 8 venues in total too, but would be surprised if Germany is not there.
With the number of UK teams, I would be surprised if not the UK too, although I understand Cowes has always been a bit of a problem :eek:

Cowes and the rest of the UK - sadly other venues are prepared to do what UK venues are not - pay!

I heard at least 8 venues, so it looks like you'll be busy next season - anything to announce yet? :D

Dragon

01-09-2008, 02:52 AM

Cowes and the rest of the UK - sadly other venues are prepared to do what UK venues are not - pay!

I heard at least 8 venues, so it looks like you'll be busy next season - anything to announce yet? :D

With the background that Jim and Robert have, I'm sure they will move the format to a paid/sponsored only format. That will be excellent for the sport, but truely a shame if there is no UK event.

On our side, although we were offered a "works" boat, we decided that with time off required for 8 venues and press and sponsors (we both work sadly for someone else), that we did not have enough annual leave to do it properly. So, we are not racing in 2008 :(

Jon fuller

01-09-2008, 07:10 AM

we did not have enough annual leave to do it properly. So, we are not racing in 2008 :(

That's a shame.

Have you had any joy with selling the old boat yet?

Ben Mazur

01-09-2008, 08:12 AM

What terrible news. :(

Cookee

01-09-2008, 10:12 AM

With the background that Jim and Robert have, I'm sure they will move the format to a paid/sponsored only format. That will be excellent for the sport, but truely a shame if there is no UK event.

On our side, although we were offered a "works" boat, we decided that with time off required for 8 venues and press and sponsors (we both work sadly for someone else), that we did not have enough annual leave to do it properly. So, we are not racing in 2008 :(

Sorry to hear that you won't be racing this season - I'm sure you will be missed!

I think it will be a surprise to hear of a UK based event for this season, but I have my fingers crossed as I think it will be a big loss for the UK.

Shame you can't take up the offer of the works drive, that's almost the worst bit! :D

ciao

01-09-2008, 11:57 AM

I am also sorry to hear that you guy's will not be racing in 2008.

You make an interesting point about working for a company. I am pretty sure one of the reasons that UK racing is so poorly supported is down to time.

Unless you are self employed it must be a nightmare fitting racing "in and around" a PAYE day job.

I remember back in the 80's when I was working as a Futures Broker in London, I had a half day booked on the Friday so I could get home and take the boat down to Cowes.

Something crazy happened in the markets, I couldn't leave, luckily I managed to get my mate to tow the boat down etc.

Is the P1 UK venue Eastbourne?

Dragon

01-11-2008, 04:01 AM

That's a shame.

Have you had any joy with selling the old boat yet?

We have sold many of the spares, but the wrong time of year to sell a boat really. A few time wasters, but nothing serious so far.

Unless you are self employed it must be a nightmare fitting racing "in and around" a PAYE day job.

:D It got harder and harder last year ... who wants to work anyway ... just go racing!

Thanks for all the comments ... really appreciated!

ForTwo

01-13-2008, 02:21 AM

sad to hear you wont be racing Mike, some venues will change 4 sure, like Italy for example... If they consider racing on lake como... it's not realy offshoreracing isn't it. Even France Marseille is not confirmed yet. Mike, if interested...
Pm me if you wanna do a few P1 venues.

Rupert Munro

01-13-2008, 05:21 PM

So sad to hear your not racing mike :( let alone not to see the pink beast out on the water - grown to like seeing it on the water at cowes for the last two years. Hope to see you racing in 09 though :) good luck with selling the boat and making the time available for 09 racing.

Jon fuller

01-13-2008, 06:07 PM

I too will miss Mike & ARPRO getting amongst it, but I will miss Jackie even more, she's a good sport!

Rupert Munro

01-13-2008, 06:40 PM

I too will miss Mike & ARPRO getting amongst it, but I will miss Jackie even more, she's a good sport!

and the only one who can drive a boat in and out of the pits...........:p

Dragon Lady

01-14-2008, 04:00 AM

Wow, thanks guys my head is swelling now :D

We will miss the racing desperately and the comradeship from many of the teams and the friends we have made over the years.

Its hard for us (gutting actually) to walk away from the racing but sadly as Mike says, work was always going to get in the way and it was harder and harder to fit in and getting less and less fun :mad: . We went through a lot of cr** the last few months and when you are taking annual leave to do it, and giving up a lot of personal time and money, its sometimes just not worth it.:(

Who knows where life will take us in the future, for now its back to horses for me and fast cars for Mike (nothing changes there !) :D

Jackie

Jon fuller

01-14-2008, 04:09 AM

Jackie, could there be a fast pleasure / Poker run boat in your life at some point? must rate as at least a part substitute to the 'real thing', but with considerably less commitment of time & money?

Jon