Two of the south west’s top jet-ski racers are preparing to face their biggest ever challenge in just two weeks from now, 16/17 July, when the stars of the new-for-2011 P1 AquaX Championship arrive in Plymouth for the third round of the season.
Plymouth’s own Tim Cope and Cornwall’s Dale Flood (Downderry), both Yamaha riders, are relishing the opportunity to take on the might of the AquaX contingent – led by Kawasaki ace Russell Marmon (Christchurch, Dorset).Over the course of the first two events in Southampton and Jersey, AquaX has more than lived up to its billing as one of the most thrilling and exciting watercraft sports in existence along with the added individuality of being the only jet-ski series which competes on the sea.Clearly, this provides immense challenges for AquaX riders with constantly changing coastal conditions serving up highly unpredictable and massively entertaining racing. With that in mind, there are three distinct classes – Elite 300, Amateur 300 and Amateur 200 – although Cope and Flood will run in an invitation class to keep the championship points situation unambiguous.
Cope and Flood are keen to promote AquaX locally and entice as many spectators as possible to this month’s event which will be contested in The Sound – a prime location offering unrivalled views of all of the racing.
Anyone attending the event on 16/17 July will be able to watch free-of-charge from Plymouth Hoe and the Mount Batten Watersports and Activities Centre, so there really is no excuse not to go along and soak up the incredible atmosphere of AquaX while supporting the two local ‘wildcard’ entries.
“We really can’t wait to have a crack at this”, said Cope, “As the event gets closer we’re quietly getting more and more confident that we’ll be able to do a good job and give the AquaX regulars a closed race. Originally we said we just wanted to go out there and enjoy it but we’re determined to give it our best and fight as hard as we can – the big thing in our favour is racing hard and giving it some beans on the sea!
“Plymouth is a perfect venue for AquaX, it’s a natural auditorium with great views from the Hoe and loads of cafes and bars around. We’re hoping it can be a real success so we can develop this as a regular event over the next few years. It should be a lot of fun, I’m really looking forward to it.”
In the headline Elite 300 class, Kawasaki rider Marmon leads the way from Sea-Doo challenger James Bushell after taking victory in Southampton and Jersey. The vastly experienced Marmon hasn’t had things all his own way though, having been pushed hard by AM300 ace Dave Huddleston (Milton Keynes) and both are hoping for choppy conditions in Plymouth.
“In terms of my personal performance I’m happy with everything so far”, said Marmon, “I’m not bothered about the other competitors, I don’t focus on them at all. I just ride the fastest I can all the time but that does mean I’m very hard on the machinery, break-downs can be a problem for me.
“As far as the conditions go, I like it when it’s choppy on the water as that involves a lot more rider input and skill and that’s my forte really. It makes things much harder physically and that’s what I enjoy the most so hopefully the conditions in Plymouth will be more like that.”
Huddleston adds: “Everything has gone better than expected really so far to be honest, I’ve felt pretty comfortable. Russell has a 50hp power advantage and extra gadgets on his ski which means he’s well ahead when the water is flat but when the conditions get up and the sea gets a bit choppy, that’s when I’m able to run with him more. They’re the kind of conditions I’m hoping for in Plymouth.
Yamaha FX160 rider Duncan Johnstone (Fareham, Hampshire) heads the Amateur 200 Class by a clear margin having won both previous rounds, a sensational start for the rookie who had never raced prior to the first AquaX event. He really has been a revelation over the course of the first two meetings of 2011 and should be a sure-fire bet to continue his fantastic run of success in Plymouth.
“When the conditions have been rougher that’s helped me keep with the elite guys, riding the sea and reading the waves is where I’m happiest but the courses you race on in AquaX are a totally different challenge”, Duncan commented, adding: “There’ll be a bit more competition in Plymouth, some of the two-strokes will be quicker off the mark and that’ll make it difficult for me on my FX160.”
Along with the AquaX action, race-goers will be able to enjoy the awesome spectacle of Britain’s premier Powerboat racing series, the P1 SuperStock Championship. The Plymouth Grand Prix of the Sea will be the second round of the season which got underway in terrific style in Jersey last month.
And if you don’t think a jet-ski can loop the loop then just watch the stunning AquaX freestyle display by British Champion Jack Moule.
In both AquaX and P1 SuperStock, the first day of action in Plymouth on Saturday, 16 July, will mean ‘Match’ racing, a series of one-on-one timed contests in which the quickest rider will progress to the next round. On Sunday, 17 July, the headline races for AquaX will take place on the SuperStock powerboat course, providing a huge test of both stamina and skill.
AquaX timetable:
Saturday
12.00 AquaX Freestyle Display by Jack Moule
16.30 AquaX Match Races
Sunday
11.00 AquaX Freestyle Display by Jack Moule
13.15 AquaX Moto 1
15.45 AquaX Moto 2
17.00 AquaX and SuperStock podium presentations, Mount Batten Watersports Centre
For further information visit www.p1aquaX.com
