P1 and Honda

[Cookee]

Got the press release everyone has been waiting for this morning! Copy and pasted below:

Powerboat P1 Management Limited, rights holders of the Powerboat P1 World Championship, has today announced it has concluded discussions to take over the running of the British-based Formula Four Stroke Association (F4SA).

The move will offer competitors new technical regulations, a unique media and broadcasting platform and the opportunity to compete across an enhanced calendar of races in Europe and in the UK.

Over the past ten years, the F4SA, under the leadership of eight-time powerboat world champion, Steve Curtis MBE, has developed the offshore racing platform and nurtured pilots who have graduated to full international level.

Its rapid development has seen it grow from just five teams competing in a single 130 hp class in 1999, to more than 25 teams competing in two classes in 2006, and 19 participating teams in 2009.

The series has enjoyed strong support from Honda who has backed the championship since 1999 in order to prove the performance of its then newly-launched BF130 hp four-stroke outboard engine.

Powerboat P1 Chairman and CEO, Asif Rangoonwala, recognises the partnership as an extremely exciting breakthrough for the world’s fastest growing offshore powerboat racing series.

“By integrating the series into Powerboat P1, we have commenced the expansion of our existing platform of SuperSport and Evolution classes. This deal opens new commercial opportunities for us and the teams, but most importantly it sends an important message to the marine industry and the mainstream, high volume manufacturers that we are serious about production boating,” said Rangoonwala.

“As well as testing driver and navigator skill to the maximum, the series is one of the most affordable and accessible forms of motor sport, allowing the ordinary enthusiast to race in a competitive championship at international level,” added Rangoonwala.

Curtis, who will be taking up a new advisory role with the series for the foreseeable future, says Powerboat P1’s “unrivalled expertise” in promoting offshore powerboat racing can only benefit the existing F4SA teams.

“We have been working closely with Powerboat P1 for the past few months on this agreement and I see it as the obvious way forward to raise the profile of the series and take it to a new level.” said Curtis.

A new name and identity for the series is planned which will see the introduction of two-stroke 300 hp Mercury engines in the 27 ft class. Honda’s 150 hp engines remain in place for competitors in the smaller 21 ft class.

Powerboat P1 commercial director, Robert Wicks, said: “We can now provide host cities with an enhanced offering by increasing television coverage and supplying a better inward economic investment. A talent pool of aspiring pilots now emerges who will be able to use the series as a natural stepping stone to our established international classes.

“The intention at this stage is to offer competing teams three race events in the UK and the equivalent in Europe, with the latter being held over the course of a Powerboat P1 race weekend.”

The first event of the new series’ European tour is intended for the opening round of the 2010 Powerboat P1 World Championship in Split, Croatia next April and Wicks believes the latest addition to Powerboat P1 will be well supported.

“We recognise this is a big step for many of the teams, but we plan to support them to attend the European races. Feedback has been very encouraging and the teams have a real desire to race in Europe.”

To enhance the value of the series immediately, starting places are likely to be limited to ten boats in each class for the European rounds and 15 for the British events. Powerboat P1 is also reviewing the potential of combining the results from the European and British events to crown an overall world champion for the series.

The British series has nurtured the likes of Shelley Jory and James Sheppard who both achieved success in P1 after establishing themselves in the smaller capacity class.

Jory, one-half of 2009 SuperSport Turkish Grand Prix of the Sea champions Ikocasa, is extremely excited by the partnership, and sees the F4SA series as a platform for drivers hoping to make the future step up to Powerboat P1. She said: “I raced in the championship for four years and learned an exceptional amount.

“I made the step up from F4SA to Evolution Class and taking on extremely sharp turns against five boats provided me with some invaluable experience for racing in Powerboat P1.”

Key to the agreement was the ability to enhance the profile of the series through the extensive Powerboat P1 media platform. “Powerboat P1 enjoys a significant media presence – through our many international broadcasters, in the specialist and lifestyle press and on the Internet – and we can immediately raise the level of awareness of the series and return some tangible, measurable value for sponsors,” said Wicks.

Details of the 2010 calendar, regulations and incentives for competing teams will be released by Powerboat P1 Management in mid-December.

[dowdy]

Lookin good,knew it was going to be a merc,no IBIZA?

[daze]

LOOKS LIKE NEXT YEAR COULD BE FUN.

[Scream-it.com]

Originally Posted by daze

LOOKS LIKE NEXT YEAR COULD BE FUN.

COST?

[cider daze]

This looks a great deal and i think it will be easier for teams to get sponsors with the backing of p1 this will bring costs down,We like it about time we had positive news

[Scream-it.com]

Originally Posted by cider daze

This looks a great deal and i think it will be easier for teams to get sponsors with the backing of p1 this will bring costs down,We like it about time we had positive news

What a load of rubbish...it merely dilutes the existing series and strengthens P1 and SCs latest business deal!!!

They missed out 2007 in the press release which had nearly 40 BOATS...UNDER HONDA ...what a load of bullshit you believe!!!


Yes you would like it...You don't have to change engines to become second fiddle to P1. They need Honda as much as Honda needs a home as they themselves have challenges.

As far as I'm concerned this is yet another attempt by Curtis and his latest Company of several to make money out of us.

Four Nations should stick together and and for once the teams should have THE SAY and not the organisation like F4SA became that changed and adapted rules as they went along...

But then that worked for you eh?

[cfun]

Just some thoughts that strike me on this now this offer is on the table I must admit if it were me I don't think I'd be overjoyed at the prospect of forking out for a 300Merc and how easy will it be to sell on a flood of ex raced 225 Honda's at anything other than a give away price, of course I am assuming you guys don't lease the engines but actually own them, and then their is the extra HP on a boat that was very twitchy with a 225 admittedly it was a production unit so not ideal for stable racing but with so much extra speed comes a lot more danger ... or are P1 going to insist on weighing them down which could be dangerous in a narrow beamed small boat so why not the Merc 250 or the new 200xs talked about on the other forum with a race set up probably the same speed as the 225 Honda

[Scream-it.com]

Originally Posted by cfun

Just some thoughts that strike me on this now this offer is on the table I must admit if it were me I don't think I'd be overjoyed at the prospect of forking out for a 300Merc and how easy will it be to sell on a flood of ex raced 225 Honda's at anything other than a give away price, of course I am assuming you guys don't lease the engines but actually own them, and then their is the extra HP on a boat that was very twitchy with a 225 admittedly it was a production unit so not ideal for stable racing but with so much extra speed comes a lot more danger ... or are P1 going to insist on weighing them down which could be dangerous in a narrow beamed small boat so why not the Merc 250 or the new 200xs talked about on the other forum with a race set up probably the same speed as the 225 Honda

Thanks! Someone speaks soe sense here...by the way the teams signed up for Four Nations are:

http://www.4nationseuropeanoffshore.com/page8.html

Perhaps P1 organisers should talk to them before an unholy storm breaks out and adds bad value to their brand!!

Yet another example of poor management by F4SA! Sadly P1 have followed them without consulting properly with teams.

[OCRDA]

Nothing has been through RYA Safety & Technical as yet with regards to putting oversized engines on these boats !

I have just been looking at the 4 nations web site. looks like it has all been set up from the OCRDA Nations cup series that helped launch Honda in the first place with the help of ARZT, MMA & Plan-It Events & of course Paddy Reilly (OCRDA) Oh how quickly they forget their mentors.

Good luck to all of you as long as we keep boats on the water the better it is for all of us.

[The Force]

Originally Posted by OCRDA

Nothing has been through RYA Safety & Technical as yet with regards to putting oversized engines on these boats !

I have just been looking at the 4 nations web site. looks like it has all been set up from the OCRDA Nations cup series that helped launch Honda in the first place with the help of ARZT, MMA & Plan-It Events & of course Paddy Reilly (OCRDA) Oh how quickly they forget their mentors.

Good luck to all of you as long as we keep boats on the water the better it is for all of us.

Near enough the same power to weight as an evolution boat...... interesting

[225]

the cougar 225 hulls can take a maximum of 300hp so its right on the very limit, enough damage was caused with a 225 on the back, what is the weight of a 300hp merc engine? because Honda 225 eninges are quite heavy.

[daze]

Yet Again,

A Post Started To Give New News About,

Two Power Boat Racing Series Joining Together To Help Keep Boat On The Water & Keep The Sport Going, In A Time Where Numbers Are Low,

And Again Powered By Richard George,( Scream-it)

The Post Changes Into Somewhere For Him To Bitch About Every Think, And Like Always Brings In His Thoughts With His & Mates Four Nations Idea.

I Pitty The Lads In The Xcat Series Having You Join Them, You Always Have An Opinion.

Mark.

[dowdy]

Originally Posted by 225

the cougar 225 hulls can take a maximum of 300hp so its right on the very limit, enough damage was caused with a 225 on the back, what is the weight of a 300hp merc engine? because Honda 225 eninges are quite heavy.

Both the merc 250xs and 300xs are the same weight,229kg as against the honda 225 at 267kg, the honda is 48kg heavier and not only that its got dead dodgy engine mounts which keep breakin,see previous threads,all the 225s have been well hammered over the last two seasons,the bulk of them would need a major rebuild anyway if you want to cntinue racing,or repower with new,get a 3 or 5 year warranty of merc for peace of mind,the DAMAGE you refer to was continual engine mount/saddles snappin,the mercs are a lot beefier,ready for abuse,just my shillings worth.

[Scream-it.com]

Originally Posted by daze

Yet Again,

A Post Started To Give New News About,

Two Power Boat Racing Series Joining Together To Help Keep Boat On The Water & Keep The Sport Going, In A Time Where Numbers Are Low,

And Again Powered By Richard George,( Scream-it)

The Post Changes Into Somewhere For Him To Bitch About Every Think, And Like Always Brings In His Thoughts With His & Mates Four Nations Idea.

I Pitty The Lads In The Xcat Series Having You Join Them, You Always Have An Opinion.

Mark.

"Two powerboat series to help keep boat on the water?" More like for Curtis to find more ways to channel work towards Warsash and for P1 to find a natural way to boost their numbers too which they need to strengthen their offering to their own commercial interests, events, sponsors etc.

Check out Four Nations website they are offering 5 events and working with other series too!!!

Is that not keeping the boat (which I own and you don't!) on water without the obvious attempts at financial control by YOUR glorous leader?

Honestly you are so supportive of this that it makes me wonder if there is a good reason that we don't know about why your family has become so supportive of Curtis and yet offered little support to the Four Nations people despite your expressed intentions at the meeting in Exmouth.

I have as you well know ZERO respect for F4SA or the way the finances have been 'run' in the past year and you know I will never support his autocratic domination. Less leadership (didn't turn up for one race I hear in 2009) and more about money.

The best thing for Honda is for the teams (WHO DO OWN BOATS - REMEMBER THAT BIT??) to own the series and provide FAIR racing and not expect people to race under the farcicle changes to rules and kangaroo court style disqualifications that mar the professionalism that WAS Honda when run by Honda, Karen Rory and Debs and NOT the F4SA of this last 2 years! And worse this year with a small group of people so desperate to win they would go to any lengths, call others the ch word and so on...so don't for once tell me you were happy families...!

Don't talk to me about 1 design racing. That as you know is a complete farce too.

Sorry mate but I see it for what it is. Steve likes to make money and likes to dominate and get his own way. It's natural he is competitive. He's trying to do it in Class 1 and good luck to him. But when it comes to influencing the way MY money is spent I have every right to object and every right to freedom of expression through something called Boatmad, an online forum of people passionate about boats and racing....

There are people that lead other organisations here commenting and yet you still insist on criticising me for going with common sense instead of the financial domination of 1 MAN!!!!

The passing over to P1 will not be without some financial benefit for Curtis and his entity of late. That is clear to me and everyone else with half an ounce of brain on this forum.

I am just happy to express reality whilst watching people like you getting carried away by the primadonnamic tide of releases from Abbie and Co

Remember what SENSIBLE BUSINESS PEOPLE say:

"NEVER BELIEVE YOUR OWN PR"!!

There are people that follow Steve but I am not one of them and there are others like me who are not prepared to supply another penny to his boat machine!!!

Oh and as for XCAT?

Nice bunch of people like Al Rashid Al Marri...went out of his way to helps us. Rory, Debs, Sid Bensala, Mohammed, Rhea, and all the rest of them who work damned hard to forward XCATS. Funny thing is it feels like Honda did 2 years ago and we all know why that changed eh? I suspect even Honda have woken up themsleves by now eh?

The difference is they are passionate about the sport. They and the large group of international teams are not out to dominate it..I am having fun. Something impossible for me under F4SA

BUT I only wish to see teams be the owners of their destiny and controllers of their investment. If I have the choice of Four Nations owned and run by teams or P1 with it's rules, demands to change to Merc ( for Steve's ultimate benefit) to qualify then I am afraid (and they will be happy about it) that I will stick with the teams.

[Tony Davis]

Originally Posted by dowdy

,get a 3 or 5 year warranty of merc for peace of mind,

As both the 250XS and the 300XS aren't available in Europe (although the 250XS may be next season) I think it very doubtful that Mercury would give any sort of warranty for racing!

[Scream-it.com]

Originally Posted by Tony Davis

As both the 250XS and the 300XS aren't available in Europe (although the 250XS may be next season) I think it very doubtful that Mercury would give any sort of warranty for racing!

So then i suspect the supply would be through one source..ummm I wonder where that would be?

[mandy]

Bloody hell, Who said OCRDA and ORDA were a bitchy lot??? after reading various posts on this forum i would go back to racing joint venues with them any time

[dowdy]

Originally Posted by Tony Davis

As both the 250XS and the 300XS aren't available in Europe (although the 250XS may be next season) I think it very doubtful that Mercury would give any sort of warranty for racing!

Tony,Mercury as a global player would have to stand by warranty work regardless of which country the engine was bought in or they wouldnt sell any engines,E.P.Barrus do not have the monopoly they think they have,you sell a boat to someone from France,Spain,etc,you goin to tell him to bog off if the boat snaps in two or whatever? I went straight to the factory in Italy when i bought my Granduca motorhome,but it was a fiat dealer in derby that replaced the gearbox when it broke,under warranty,same with Mercury engines,any dealer,worldwide.

[Tony Davis]

Originally Posted by dowdy

Tony,Mercury as a global player would have to stand by warranty work regardless of which country the engine was bought in or they wouldnt sell any engines,E.P.Barrus do not have the monopoly they think they have,you sell a boat to someone from France,Spain,etc,you goin to tell him to bog off if the boat snaps in two or whatever? I went straight to the factory in Italy when i bought my Granduca motorhome,but it was a fiat dealer in derby that replaced the gearbox when it broke,under warranty,same with Mercury engines,any dealer,worldwide.

Erm, Racing is in strict violation of warranty, regardless of manufacturer!

So, you buy a Mercury, you have a warranty, you cross the start line, warranty over, Global player or not.

FWIW, The XS motors aren't available in Europe, coz they don't have CE.

[dowdy]

You do it your way me do it my way,aint bothered about c.e.the last 250 i brought in,raced,blew a box,was repaired by a merc dealer,under warranty,wasnt arsed whether it had been raced or not,was glad of the business,you might be dead straight in your dealings,me,i bend the rules a little bit,got to ,to get what you want.