Irish powerboat racers have taken to the world stage in the southern hemisphere for the first time. (SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOS)

Keith Plummer, Lee Casey and Colin Gaffney from Dublin, all members of the Buccaneer Powerboat Club and Sean Dillon and Gary Hogg from Clare, members of the Irish Offshore Powerboat Racing Club took part in the UIM P750 World Championships South Africa last week. 

On the ground the reports were that even though the Irish competitors had their mechanical setbacks they kept pushing hard. When it came to the rough stuff in the surf they really shined, gaining a lot of respect from their fellow competitors.

Sean Dillon & Gary Hogg had two wins and a second in the surf discipline and finished fourth overall in the championships. Mechanical setbacks denied Colin Gaffney and co-driver Bongani Ndesi, a world Championship medal to accompany his European Championship medal won at the UIM P750 European Championship at Killaloe in October.

All five have reported that it was a great experience and that taking part showed them what a wonderful sport this is and being part of the UIM family. They all said how proud they were to be Irish and the first competitors with an ISA Powerboat Racing Licence to Race in South Africa.

The P750 class has gone from strength to strength in Ireland and 2010 saw a well-supported national Championship, the P750 Europeans being held in Ireland and Irish Competitors competing in the World Championships.

Colin Gaffney Boat No 21,  Keith Plummer and Lee Casey From Dublin Boat No 22,  Sean Dillon and Gary Hogg from Clare Boat No 49. Sean and Gary were the top Irish team being placed fourth.

Irish Offshore Powerboat Racing Club

The principal activities of the Irish Offshore Powerboat Racing Club include the promotion and encouragement of Powerboat Racing in Ireland and of social union amoung the Club's members.

2010 Round Ireland Offshore Powerboat Race

Today sees the launch of the 1st Round Ireland Offshore Powerboat Race, which is confirmed to take place from the 5th to the 12th of June 2010.

This 2010 race will circumnavigate the entire coast of Ireland and will be the toughest endurance powerboat race on the International circuit. Irelands varied coastline will prove a severe test for even the most experienced powerboat enthusiasts with the Atlantic leg being unique to world racing.

The race is being organised by the Irish Offshore Powerboat Racing Club in conjunction with the Irish Sailing Association and the UIM, the International Powerboat Racing Authority. The race will be run under the international rules of the UIM and working closely with the ISA the organisers will ensure that all safety, marine and environmental conventions are correctly observed.

The 2010 Race will be an International event with competitors coming from all over the world. The five days of racing will be a true test of man and machine. There will be 4 days with stages ranging from 180 to 210 miles each day. Not for the faint hearted. Mid way there will a short course race with a circuit of between 70 and 100 miles, but where time will also be allowed for repairs and some Irish hospitality.

The intention is to create a showpiece event both on and off the water that will highlight Ireland and our marine and boating Tourism potential. The event will offer the Powerboat racing community opportunities to showcase Ireland on an International stage. The 4 venues currently being organised will not only facilitate the requirements of offshore powerboat racing but also the on-shore activities that will be organised as part of the event.

(The above information and image courtesy © The Irish Offshore Powerboat Racing Club) 

Irish Offshore Powerboat Racing Club, Justin McInerney, 18 Foxwood Drive, Rochestown Road, Cork. Fax: 021 492 5799, email: [email protected]

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