Date Added: 2008-05-06

With some optimistic summer weather ahead the UK’s largest off-shore powerboat series the Honda Formula 4-Stroke is fuelled up and rearing to go as its fleets of up to 40 150hp and 225hp Cougar Powerboats get ready for the 2008 race season that begins on May 24th & 25th in Torquay.

The Honda series returns to the heart of the English Riviera for this year’s opening rounds where it made its debut on 29 May in 1999, returning on a number of occasions since. As first stop in this season’s calendar, the weekend promises to launch the racing with some exciting celebrations and undoubtedly some amazing action.

The race course will be situated inside Torquay’s rugged coast, surrounded by Devon’s famous countryside. The course will run through the harbour with some great viewing points available so that the increasing number of spectators will get to see all the action up close and personal.

Popularity for off-shore racing in the UK and world-wide has clearly been on the rise since continued awareness of the Honda F4SA hit the headlines in the 2007 off-season.

“The series has certainly made an impact on the number of people following off-shore racing. There are more and more people enquiring about the sport via the series website www.f4sa.com, with site traffic on the build up to the first race in May going through the roof.” Said Series Director and eight-times Class 1 World Powerboat Champion, Steve Curtis.

The increase in not only the fans who will be watching but also the number of boats entering this year will make for some interesting racing with some novice teams hitting the waves against the series’ more experienced racers.

However, the entire fleet are reflecting a wealth of optimism as they all seem very positive that they will be in for a chance of making the top grade this year.