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HIGH-OCTANE BOATING BONANZA

By Lorraine Parker - Friday, March 28, 2008
Sport/Powerboats
COWES hopes for a turbo-charged boost to its economy in the wake of news the Cowes-Torquay-Cowes (CTC) powerboat race is on course top be hosted by the town after all.
Following concerns Southampton’s Ocean Village could grab the event on financial grounds, a deal has been struck between Cowes Yacht Haven and organisers P1 and the British Powerboat Racing Club (BPRC).
The CTC race will be resurrected after a five-year gap on August 23 and is expected by organisers to bring with it a party atmosphere, many visitors and probably some other races.
At the beginning of the year, Powerboat P1 pulled the plug on the Cowes-based British Grand Prix Of The Sea championship heat but announced the CTC, first held in 1961, would take its place.
At the time organisers were unsure where it would be based but have decided to retain its link with Cowes.
Steve Cole, manager of Cowes Yacht Haven, said he had not been officially told it was happening but added: “We’d be pleased to have them back. Nothing is signed but I can confirm an agreement was sent out.”
Laura Levi, BPRC secretary and daughter of the race’s founder, Sir Max Aitken, said: “This is incredibly good for the Island. Some of the Round-Britain fleet will attend, plus a lot of the P1 guys, from places like Italy and Austria and they’re real big spenders. What’s more, a huge number of people come to see it.”
It is thought the race will start near Egypt Point and there could be grandstand seating for onlookers.
BPRC chairman Lord Beaverbrook said he was delighted about the reprieve. He said he hoped the Island would keep the event in the future, particularly with its 50th anniversary imminent.
Cowes mayor Cllr Geoff Banks said: “The race brings people to the town and it’s a great spectacle. Anything we can retain has got to be good for the community and the Island as a whole.”