Cowes 2010

[THUNDERBOLT]

The Classic Revival Rally
Torquay 25TH to 27TH August 2010


The Classic Offshore Powerboat Owners Club and the BPRC are pleased to announce details of the rally to be held at Torquay and Cowes celebrating 50 years of the legendary Cowes Torquay International Powerboat Race.

At the time of writing we have pre registered no less than 57 ex race craft including 7 which will be taking part in the 50th race and will hopefully be able to join in part of the Classic Celebrations at Torquay.

The earliest craft registered include Paul Fairall’s Diesel Huntsman no 27, Richard Rance with Contango a 1961 Christina and of course the first winner fresh from her 4 year restoration Tommy Sopwith’s Thunderbolt. At the other end of the scale are the four race boats entered in the Cowes Classic Mike Bontoft’s Dry Martini, Martin Warren’s Double 2 Shirts (ex ABO) Glenn Chidzoy’s Bounty Hunter and last but not least Markus Hendricks amazing Cinzano!

There is also an anonymous entry, sworn to secrecy until the new owner announces his intentions and in between a whole array of the unsung hero’s who made the trip and never made the big time but each having their own special part in the history of this amazing race. They include 14 of the famous Fairey Huntress and Huntsman, craft which include Seaspray part of the 1969 Round Britain team, plus later models from the pen of Alan Burnard. There are also early Levi designs, Triana’s and 2 very rare Tridents other craft include the beautiful Ja Conga a Moorland 38 from R W Clarks and hopefully if the German owner can get it altogether the one and only Tramontana 2.

One last mention must go to COPOC member Barry Cohen who owns Ghost Rider and has promised to do everything in his power to bring her over from the States for this once in a lifetime event.

The event will also include the re christening of Thunderbolt at Cowes, by 3 times winner Tommy Sopwith with invited guests on Saturday the 28th

All registered craft assembled in the Solent area will depart from Cowes on Wednesday morning the 25th and motor down to Torquay where they will meet up with other entries arriving from the Channel Islands and all points west....

Their arrival in Torquay will be heralded by the RED ARROWS who are performing a half-hour display as part of the week long celebrations staged by the Torbay Authorities.

On the Thursday craft will be available for public display and a parade along the waterfront has been planned with full commentary on the history of each boat.

The fleet will then return to Cowes on Friday the 27th in time for the 50th Cowes Torquay race on Sunday the 29th.

The Classic Revival will be used as a fundraiser for the HELP for HEROES Charity and we hope all club members will support our efforts to make this a success for all concerned.

COPOC are actively seeking sponsors to assist with underwriting some of the costs of putting on this amazing reunion and interested parties are asked to contact the club secretary JOHN IDDON on 01189 794932

[Black Tornado]

This event will be the biggest in the world as the only historic race, the Cowes-Torquay deserves.
I would love to be there but I think it would be unlikely.

My best compliments to all those like you who have given life back to these glorious boats.

All the best

Marco

[littlenige]

Now all we need is a revival of the Viareggio-Bastia-Viareggio race....................

[Black Tornado]

Now all we need is a revival of the Viareggio-Bastia-Viareggio race....................

Holy words Nigel!
But in Italy we sleep.
Very long and deep sleep ....

Then a day it happens that bored to make the cafe racer in Porto Cervo with their mega motoryachts these stupid billionaires Italians agree to pay tons of theirs stolen money in the restoration of any boat which they not know the story until the day before.