TEAMS will compete in two prestigious powerboat races over August Bank Holiday weekend — the British Harmsworth Trophy and the new UKOPRA Class 3 British series titles.

The 200-mile Cowes-Torquay-Cowes race has long been recognised as one of powerboating's toughest challenges, and comparisons have been made with motorsport events such as Le Mans and the Indy 500.

The boats will be based in the Cowes Yacht Haven and visitors will be able to get close up views from the harbour walls all day Saturday and early Sunday.

On Sunday, the racing fleet will parade past Cowes Green at 8.45am before setting off from the Royal Yacht Squadron line at 9.30am, followed by the Cowes-Poole-Cowes race at 9.45am.

Boats returning from Poole will begin to appear back in the Solent from 10.45am, while the fastest boats from Torquay will start to show around 3pm at Egypt Point.

A podium presentation for winners of the Poole race will take place at Haldon Pier at 12.30pm, while the Torquay race presentation will take place at Cowes Yacht Haven on Sunday at 4pm.