Round Britain '08 book finally available!

[Jon Holmes]

[uncledekka]

Hi Jon (Holmes),
I don't want to start a fight here, but you're sending out mixed messages.
First you ask "Why would the sport need publicity?" Then you say-
"If I appear to know little about what is happening in powerboat racing it can only be down to poor journalism", and now you want to know why this forum is the best place to find information.
Which is it? Do you want publicity or not?
If you stand by your first statement then you must be a happy bunny. It’s true, the sport attracts virtually zero attention. That’s one of the reasons why I wrote the book in the first place.

Your claim that the lack of coverage is down to “poor journalism” is utter bollox. The finest Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist money can buy could write exciting, eloquent articles on, say, P1 week in and week out, and it STILL wouldn’t feature in any mainstream publications. The problem lies with the money-men (and some editors) who run the magazines & newspapers today. They don’t believe there’s a market for powerboat racing, and that’s why the true aficionados have to come to Boatmad for all their information.

So which is it? Do you want the publicity or not? Because without the publicity, people will never get to hear about those “true sporting characters” that you mentioned, and believe me, they don’t just exist in those hazy Golden years of Yesteryear. I could give you a long list of people who took part in RB08 who showed the kind of stubborn, eccentric insanity that would rival anything that those Good Old Boys could muster. But unless there’s a serious groundswell of interest in the sport, no-one outside of this small community will ever know about it.
I’m trying to do my bit, in my own little way, by writing a book about it. I don’t know if this new website (that started this discussion in the first place) is going to be any good or not, but surely that isn’t the point? It’s another UK-based site promoting (hopefully) UK-based powerboat racing, and right now that must be a good thing.
(Christ, you can tell I’m a writer can’t you? Sorry for banging on about this, but the lack of cohesion & solidarity in this sport is so incredibly counter-productive it drives me nuts!)
Derek
PS If you'd like to find out more about the eccentrics, daredevils and Crazies that make up much of the current racing community, may I suggest you purchase a copy of Chasing The Horizon, currently available at Amazon.co.uk for a measly £9.99 It also features some fantastic shots by award-winning photgrapher Mr Chris Davies. Thank You!

[Jon Holmes]

As stated previously,

Please pm me if you wish to discuss anything.

[uncledekka]

PM sent.

[Mike Lloyd]

Following Derek's example, some two years later, I am now ready to write MY version of the development, organisation and running of the 2008 Round Britain Race including my reasons for wanting to do it.

It will probably take about six months to research, write and get into print but I have all those grey winter months ahead to do it.

I am not going into any character assignations, although I could, but simply tell the story of how the race developed and ran from inception to the final prize giving party including everyone involved from competitors through to all of the team. It's quite a story!!!.
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[uncledekka]

Best of luck with the book Mike. I look forward to reading your side of the story- and don't hold back on the juicy stuff!

[Mike Lloyd]

Most of the reports by the RB08 racers of their experiences during the race have disappeared, I have managed to find a few that are still on the RB08 thread but many are missing. If you sent in a report of your RB08 experiences will you please dig it out and send it to me - I want to put all of them in the RB08 book.

Any later thoughts or observations from those that took part would also be welcome.

My email is mikelloyd00@tiscali.co.uk.
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[Jon Fuller]

Mike, remember a few were hosted not here, but on the RB08 website, maybe JM could help.

[PhatFrank]

Looking forward to this one, Mike. Sign me up for 5 copies, and let me know if you need any info from us

[Mike Lloyd]

Originally Posted by Jon Fuller

Mike, remember a few were hosted not here, but on the RB08 website, maybe JM could help.

Unfortunately that info is long gone apparently. Just hope the guys have kept their reports as memories.

Very interesting reading the reports that are still there. They made me realise how deeply this race affected everyone who took part. Let's hope it can be run again soon.
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[Jon Fuller]

Mike, make sure those important little details are right, i don't need another two 'unread' books sitting on my bookshelf!

[Mike Lloyd]

Originally Posted by Jon Fuller

Mike, make sure those important little details are right, i don't need another two 'unread' books sitting on my bookshelf!

As "The Man" who helped me get that race off the ground Jon you will of course get the first draft for your comments!

[FLYING FISH]

Originally Posted by Mike Lloyd

Unfortunately that info is long gone apparently. Just hope the guys have kept their reports as memories.

Very interesting reading the reports that are still there. They made me realise how deeply this race affected everyone who took part. Let's hope it can be run again soon.
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I have saved for posterity various diatribes from Boatmad inc the official daily blog of the race,plus diatribes from Jon Fuller,Team Biretta,Team Gee,Blast Off,Team Daisy,Team Sealbay 77.
This amounts to circa 80 pages,so if there is any particular area you don`t get feedback on,the Basildon reserve library is still functioning.

[hunton69]

Originally Posted by Mike Lloyd

Unfortunately that info is long gone apparently. Just hope the guys have kept their reports as memories.

Very interesting reading the reports that are still there. They made me realise how deeply this race affected everyone who took part. Let's hope it can be run again soon.
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Most of my memories are some where in my head

[Miss Daisy]

Hi Mike
I'll dig out my waffle for you and email it to you. Seem to remember it was lots of stuff about damaged backs, boats and bank balances!!
cheers Jonathan

[steve h]

hey mike do you want the censored memories or uncensored about the 2 arseholes that i had pleasure of inviting along.

[hunton69]

Originally Posted by steve h

hey mike do you want the censored memories or uncensored about the 2 arseholes that i had pleasure of inviting along.

I look forward to that chapter remember the boat trailer denting the roof of the truck

[steve h]

Originally Posted by hunton69

I look forward to that chapter remember the boat trailer denting the roof of the truck

nice one barry, i had forgot about that,should of hit him on the feckin head

[Mike Lloyd]

Originally Posted by steve h

hey mike do you want the censored memories or uncensored about the 2 arseholes that i had pleasure of inviting along.

Uncensored please Steve, should make for good reading.
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[Mike Lloyd]

Originally Posted by hunton69

Most of my memories are some where in my head

That's them lost then.

I am going to put in though that you stuffed coming out of Edingburgh.
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