--i,.ff|mnw* - Powerboat Archive

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In spite of all the gloomy
pro gnos tications, there
will be rnore starters in
this year's Cowes/
Torquay/Cowes
powerboat race than in
1974. Roy Bulman giues a
rundown on each
comp e titor and underline s
those likely to make the
headlines
FOURTEEN years have passed since
Sir Max Aitken and the Daily Express
launched the first Cowes/Torquay
Race in 1961. The effects of that first
event have also been felt as far away
as South Africa and Australia, for
although offshore powerboat racing
can claim its birthright in America, it
was the Cowes/Torquay that set the
ball rolling throughout the rest of the
world.
While some may consider such a
sport can only be enjoyed by the
privileged few, the less costly Class
III and IV categories are its direct
descendants. Perhaps more important
is the fact that many fast motorised
pleasure craft have benefited both
from new design principles and the
tough testing ground the race
provides.
More recently the responsibility of
underwriting this classic has been
shared by W D & H O Wills in the
form of Embassy. It is perhaps a sign
of the joint faith of these two
organisations, and the awareness of
the contribution the race makes to the
British boatbuilding industry, that the
1975 event on Sunday, 24 August will
still take place under their banner
whereas the economic situation has
forced the majority of sponsors to
withdraw from the scene.
As last season drew to a close the
possibility of a Cowes/Torquay/Cowes
race in 1975 looked extremely
doubtful. If the event was to continue
at all, economies were obviously
necessary. It was therefore decided to
axe the prize-money. The energy crisis
was another topic of conversation
which gave rise to the old Torquay
course being dropped in favour of a
Portland Bill turnround point.
Fortunately, with the later 18 per cent

August 15, 1975
world-wide reduction in fuel demand,
the traditional course was resurrected
and while certain modifications in the
distance have been for conservation
reasons, the race retains much of its
previous character.
The need for economy not only
affects organisers and sponsors, it also
has a direct bearing on those taking
part. 1969 was the record season when
75 boats were entered. This year the
numbers are down although the
quality is much higher. It should be
remembered that the larger fields in
the past mainly comprised of the
slower cruising types with less than a
handful of contenders capable of
challenging the overall leader. This
time the situation is revised, and even
allowing for reduced numbers, almost
half the line-up has a chance of
outright victory.
Don Shead who, together with
Ronnie Hoare and Harry Hyams will
be driving the four-year-old, Uno-
Embassy is now virtually certain of
the British Championship title. He has
been unbeaten this season, never
Where to watch
The 199.1 nautical mile (226.3 statute
miles) course for the EmbassylDaily
Ex"press Race takes the boats past
several vantage points on the Hampshire,
Dorset and South Devon coasts. Best
points are as follows (times given are
approximately the earliest times leading
craft could arrive in ideal conditions. If it
is rough they could be much later, i.e.
11.40 at Portland Bill first time and 16.00
at the finish. This year craft will be
passing Torquay on the outward run and
will be turning back east from a mark off
Brixham.
Cowes (start) 10.00; Yarmouth 10.20;
Sconce 10.20; Boscombe and Bournemouth
Piers 10.35; Durlston Head 11.00;
Anvil Point 11.00; Portland Bill 11.15;
Torquay 11.50; Brixham and Berry Head
11.55; Portland Bill 2nd time 12.30;
Durlston Head and Anvil Point 2nd time
pushing Uno-Embassy harder than
necessary, and has finished every race
without mechanical breakdown. He
could win yet again. '
Norman Barclay will be returning
to the British scene in White Label
which is the re-named 40ft Cigarette in
which American Bob 'Doc' Magoon
took the Chapman Tlophy for the
offshore run between Miami and New
York last year. Now re-engined with a
pair of racing Mercrtrisers, this boat
could prove tough competition for
Shead if the weather turns rough. If it
is calm, then British hopes will face
Italian Carlo Bonomi in his 36ft
Kiekhaefer/Aeromarine powered Dry
Martini, illustrated on the cover of
this issue. He has already won this
race on two previous occasions, and
withthe help of British navigator Dag
Pike, will certainly not waste time
finding his way a
-
situation that has
cost many the overall prize.
Although he has still to officially
enter, Waily Franz from Brazil, who
currently leads the World
Championship points table, would be
13.00; Yarmouth 2nd time 13.25; Cowes
(finish) 13.40.
A loudspeaker commentary will be
heard at Cowes only on this occasion.
- - ". , '". -. "' ..."-.
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another contender for the overall prize
in Pangare Gringo. A 38ft Kiekhaefer/-
Aeromarine powered Bertrarrl he looks
all set set to break the Cigarette
domination of the world championship
title which they have held since 1969.
Two outfits that must be
considered are Charles Gill's Cigarette
36 I Like It Too and the 34ft Shead
designed Enfield Blitz in which John
Davey will be making his first outing
of the '75 season. Both are capable of
winning but unfortunately they are
not renowned for their reliability.
The dark horse must be the turbine
powered Miss Embassy. Driven by
Tommy Sopwith and Charles de
Selincourt, this crew have already won
the race three times. Although in her
third year the performance of Miss
Embassy has steadily improved with
both engine and hull trim
modifications. In severe weather her
bulk size could produce an easier ride
and make her a real threat. However,
if she does cross the line in first place
her experimental category will prevent
her driver taking top honours.
Those who plan to watch the race afloat
should remember to keep well clear of the
mustering and starting areas off Cowes
and near any turning marks.
4 SIR DRACO: GB (White/Light Grey); Class
llC; GRP
This boat is one of the smallest taking part. 20ft
4in overall. she was designed by Jan Linge and
built at Flekkefjord in Scandinavia and is one of a
whole range of Draco production cruisers marketed
by Northshore Yachts. She is powered by
a single 170 hp Volvo petrol engine and although
slow compared to the majority taking part,
finished 15th last vear. S/ Draco will be driven
by Roger Allen.
35
oooooooaaooo
Offshore Class land ll
Length: 20-45ft both classes. Engine size:
Class ll up to 8 litres petrol, 16 litres diesel.
Class l, up to 16 litres petrol, 32 litres
diesel. A cabin category, suffix 'C' for
racing cabin craft and 'CC' for cruising
cabin craft exists for both groups.
ooooooooaooo
3 PENTHOUSE INVER HOUSE: GB (White-
Gold/ Black stripe); Class ll; Wood
Designed by James Beard and built by Cougar
Marine. this 34ft catamaran is the re-named
Wiggins Teape in which Keith Dallas finished
second in the general classification last year.
She is powered by four 150 hp Mercury outboards
and is caoable of a fair turn of soeed.
This craft is almost certain to take the Class ll
prize but will only feature high on the overall list
if the Class I contenders fall by the wayside.
5 M/SS NOVA ARTS: GB (Black/Red-Yellow);
Class ll; Wood
Mlss Nova Ads will be driven by her designer/
builder Ray Stapley who produced this 22ft
catamaran earlier this season. Known as a
Stapley Taloncat, her owner, Roger Kennedy
who will be in the co-driver's seat, has already
scored several successes. She normally competes
in the small Class lll category but her
length allows her to take part in this race as a
Class ll competitor. She is powered by a pair of
150 hp Mercury outboards and in calm conditions
is very fast indeed. On such occasions she
is easily capable of matching the performance of
many top Class loutfits.

?6
Who races what
in the CITIC
continued
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sE sltatiS
69 I LIKE lT TOO: GB (Red/Yellow); Class l;
GRP
Powered by a pair of 468 cu in Chevrolet blocks
prepared by Race Engine Services, this 36ft
Cigarette was the boat in which American Bob
Magoon took the APBA Championship title in
9 DRY MARTINI: ltaly {White/Blue); Class
1973. Her new owner/driver, Charles Gill.
l;
shipped her over from the States earlier this year
GRP
changing her name from Aeromarine lll. She is a
Driven by 1974 World Champion ltalian Carlo worthy competitor but has often suffered mechanical
problems this season and on one occasion
Bonomi, Dry Martini is the 36ft Cigarette in
which Bonomi won last vear's event. She was even swopped ends.
designed by American Don Aronow and
powered by a pair of 468 cu in Kiekhaefer/Aeromarine
petrol engines totalling 1200 hp. She
must start as a strong favourite for overall
nonours.
02 PANGARE GRINGO: Brazil (White); Class l;
GRP
38ft overall. this craft is one of the new Bertram
racing boats that are beginning to challenge the
Cigarette superiority in America. She is powered
by a pair of 468 cu in Kiekhaefer/Aeromarine
petrol engines totalling 1200 hp and it is in
Pangare Gringo that her driver, Wally Franz, has
pushed way ahead in the '75 offshore drivers'
championship. Although only a tentative entry,
if this boat starts she should be in the leading
pack across the finishing line.
OOO BLITZ: GB (White/Blue); Class l; Alu-
21 ALTO VOLTANTE: GB (Red/White); Class minium
llC;Wood
Driven by John Davey a driver who has progressed
up from Class lll -
38ft 6in overall, A/to Volante was built by Groves
B/ltz is the 34ft Don
& Guttridge of Cowes to a Sonny Levi design in Shead designed Enfield - in which Tommy
1974 for her driver, the Earl of Normanton. She Soowith won the 197O race under the name of
is powered by a pair of 250 hp Ford Sabre Miss Enfield //. She is powered by a pa'r of 82
diesel engines that transmit via surface pro. cu in Mercruiser petrol engines and although
pellers. This method of propulsion has proved pushing ahead during the early stages of last
extremely successful and she was leading the
year's race, broke down just beyond the halfway
cabin classes by a good margin in last year's stageand retired into Torquay.
race when she was forced out with a broken
shaft. A/to yolanfe must be one of the top
favourites for the diesel prize and Beaverbrook O07 OH!LOR: GB (Blue); Class llC; Wood
Challenge Trophy for the first cruising boat. Built by R. & W. Clark of Cowes to a Sonny Levi
design, this little 23-footer is typical of the small
cruisers that competed inthe Daily Express race
of years gone by. She is powered by a pair of
165 hp Mercruiser petrol engines and will be
driven by Bobert Kelly.
26 WHITE LABEL: Bahamas (White); Class l;
brtr
Designed by Don Aronow, this 40ft Cigarette is
the craft in which Bob Magoon took the prize for
the record offshore run between Miami and New
York last year. She was originally called USl and
powered by a pair of de-tuned 482 cu in Mercruiser
petrol engines. She now boasts the more
potent racing units of the same type and will be
driven bv her new owner and veteran on th€
British scene, Norman Barclay, who will be
accompanied by Willie Myers who has also
driven manv times in this race.
33 CIGARILLO: GB (White); Class ll; GRP
This event will be the first major race in which
Cigarillo has featured for almost two sessions.
She is a 32ft Don Aronow designed Cigarette
and is powered by four 1zl0 hp Mercruiser outboards
and will be driven by her owner Maurice
Bell. Cigarillo is a very capable boat in her category
and took the Class ll prize in the very rough
Cowes/Torquay/ Cowes of 1 971 .
026 ANYTHING GOES THUZ: GB iCerise/
White-Blue); Class ll; Wood
The 32tt Anythlng Goes Thuz was designed and
built by Chris Tremlett in 1972 tor the Londoni
Monte-Carlo marathon. She is owned and driven
by husband and wife tearn, Richard and Sue
Griffith, who have always been keen competitors
in this event. Her power comes from a pair of
250 hp Perkins diesel engines and her crew are
certain to have their eyes set on awards in the
diesel category on the 24th.
MOTOR BOAT AND YACHTING
030 PHAAlfAS/A; GB (Blue); Classll;GRP
This 2St craft is one of the well-known Steohen
Baker designed Phantom's that are currently
performing so well in the srnaller Class lll category.
Driven by Peter Layman, Phanfasla is virtually
brand new but has so far not featured well
in competition. She is powered by a single 350
hp Chrysler inboard petrol engine.
O35 AEG-TELEFUNKEN:
Red); Classll;Wood
This boat was originally built by Souter as Jaffa
Orange Juice tot the 1972 LondoniMonte-Carlo
marathon. 30ft overall, she was designed by Ray
Hunt and performed extremely well in her class
and finished fifth overall in last year's race. Four
new 150 hp Mercury outboards were fitted this
season increasing her total output by 4O hp but
her recent performance has been far from spectacular.
She is owned and driven bv Neville
Hutchinson.
067 ILIKE IT:GB (White); Class llC; Wood
Recently purchased by John Craxford (above),
this 33ft craft was built by Souter of Cowes to a
Don Shead design in 1969 for the Round Britain
Race. She is powered by a pair of 25O hp Ford
Sabre diesels and could be fielded as an alternative
entry by her new owner. She finished third in
the general classification last year.
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111 FURGURGER TOO: GB (White); Class II;
GRP
111 was the race number once belonging to the
famous Suiury which was a craft synonymous
with the Cowes/Torquay in the mid-sixties. lt is
now sported by Furburger foo which is a 3Zt
Aronow designed Cigarette originally fielded as
Sun And . . . in 1972. Powe{ed by four 14O hp
Mercury outboards, she will be driven by Mark
Cottrell on her first outing for over two years.
1'16 FIRECRACKER: GB (BlueiWhite); Class
llC; Wood
Firecracker f inished eighth overall last year winning
the Index of Performance prize. 30ft overall,
she was designed and built by Chris Trem lett in
Topsham, Devon. Her power comes from a pair
of Perkins diesel engines totalling 50 hp and she
will be driven by her owner Jack Renouf .
142 SIESTA: Sweden (Blue); Class ll; GRP
This 25t racer finished 11th overall in last year's
event. Driven by Claes Nilsson, Slesla is a small
monohull powered by a single 45O hp Chevrolet
engine and is typical of the offshore racing type
of craft currently seen in Scandinavia. Provided
the weather is calm she could im prove greatly on
her '74 oerf ormance
- she f inished 11th - and
becomea strong threat in Class ll.

August 15, 1975
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143 fRANSLUCENf:GB (Pale yellow); Class ll;
GRP
Owned and driven by Alan Betteridge, this 32ft
competitor was built by Senior Marine in 1969
for the Round Britain Race of that year. She is
powered by a pair of 25O hp Ford Sabre diesels
and was designed by Robert Kem p. Her hull later
formed the basis of a type of craft from which a
famous range of family cruisers has since been
proouceo.
'187 CANICOMETOO: GA (Dark Blue); Class ll;
unT
Designed by Paul Brouns in 1971, this 33f t craft
was built by Pegasus Marine in 1972 for the
London/Monte Cado marathon and named
Comfort- She is powered by four 150 hp
Mercury outboards and has been a constant
competitor in the Embassy Class I and ll
Offshore Championship. She will be driven by
Charles lvlorley-Fletcher and Peter Gaydon.
3'13 (Name to be advised): GB (YellowiRed);
Class l; GRP
This 40ft craft is another strong contender for
the overall prize. Built last year by Planatec to a
Don Shead design, boat 313 (yet to be named
with the title of a possible sponsor) was better
known as Abo. She carried Bobby Buchanan-
Michaelson to victory in the 1974 Embassy
Offshore Drivers' Championship and with her
two fuel injected Mercruiser petrol engines totalling
1300 hp, led the early stages of last year's
C/T/C until a mechanical fault knocked her out of
the running. She is now owned and will be driven
by one of the sport's top dnvers, Tim Powell.
340 ARCIDIAVOLO: Italy (OrangeiGreen);
Class ll: Wood
to a Don Shead design in 1973, Mlss Fmbassy
was the first British offshore racer to use gas
turbine power. She is a huge 42ft overall and
ideal for rough weather racing. Nevertheless,
she is still very competitive, even in moderate
seas, and finished second overall in last year's
calm event. She will be driven by Tommy
Soowith and Charles de Selincourt.
400 SOLUTION: Sweden (Orange); Class ll;
unr
Yet another competitor with a clashing number
fMlss Embassy) and will obviously carry
temporary identification at Cowes. 23ft overall,
she was designed by Gilbert Englund and is
powered by a single 454 cu in Chevrolet petrol
inboard engine. So/ullon will be driven by Anders
Osterholm.
433 SLIPSTREAM: GB (Yellow/Black); Class l;
GRP
Powered by two 225 hp Mercruiser petrol
engines, this 34ft craft was built by the defunct
Lancer Marine company two years ago to a
Robert Tucker design. She will be driven by
Bryan Jardine.
709 M/SS SWEDEN: Sweden (Blue/Yeltow-
Black); Class ll; GRP
28ft overall, Miss Sweden is a Don Aronow
designed Magnum built four years ago in
Sweden. She finished 1Oth overall last year
which was one of her best showings in a British
race. She is powered by a pair of three-litre
Volvo engines and will be driven by Steffan
Lindhe.
37
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192 YOUNG LOVE: GB (White); Class llC; GRP
Driven by Derek Love, this little cabin boat is a
Sonny Levi designed cruiser built by Triana
Boats. She is 25ft overall and powered by a pair
of 170 hp Volvo petrol engines. Young Love
recently finished third overall in the first heat of
the 1975 Embassy Offshore Championship
Trophy.
202 SUNDANCER: GB (Blue); Class llC;
Aluminium
This 34ft craft was built by Allday of Gosport to a
Don Shead design in 1971. She is powered by a
pair of 250 hp Perkins diesel engines and was
recently purchased by her new driver Martyn
Harfield who is a very experienced driver in this
category.
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35O FORD PERSUADER: GB (Yellow); Class
llC; Alumrnium
Built by Allday Aluminium of Gosport to a Don
Shead design in 1971, this 32ft craft has
already won the coverted Beaverbrook
Challenge Trophy for the fastest cabin boat. She
is powered by a pair of 250 hp Ford Sabre
diesel engines and recently had her transmission
modified to handed rotation. This is certain
to make her more competitive in her class and
easier to steer in rough weather. She is now
owned and will be driven by David Blackford.
377 MISS CAVITATION: GB (Blue/White); Class
llC;Wood
Driven by Norman Barkwell, this 33ft Tremlett
designed hull was built by Nathan Surface Outdrives
in Devon. She is powered by a pair of 256-
hp Perkins diesel engines and, as her name and
builder imply, probably has surface propeller
transmission.
377 SHOT: ltaly (Aluminium);
Class ll;
Aluminium
The number on this boat, 377, clashes with the
above competitor and will therefore run at
Cowes with a new temporary number. Shof is
35ft overall and was built by Stain-Torino to a
Sonny Levi design. She is powered by a single
seven litre Vulcano petrol engine and will be
driven by Giorgio Tognelli.
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717 UNO-EMBASSY; GB (White/Red); Class l;
Aluminium
Built by Enfield Marine in 1971 as Enfieldi
Avenger, this Don Shead designed outfit won
the race in 1 973. She has been driven by her
designer
- with her joint owners Ronnie Hoare
and Harry Hyams on this season's champion-
-
ship circuit which she currently leads on points.
Her power comes from a pair of 468 cu in
Kiekhaefer/Aeromarine petrol engines and she
must be a hot favourite for the overall orize.
272 FORD FANTASY: GB (White/Blue); Class
llC; Wood
Ford Fantasy is a standard Fairey cruiser built to
an Alan Burnard design two years ago. 30ft
overall and powered by a pair of Ford Sabre
diesels totalling 5O0 hp, she won the Best All
Rounder Prize last year and is probably one of
the smartest cruisers currently racing. She will
be driven by husband and wife team John and
Ann Craxford.
400 M/SS EMBASSY: GB (Red/White); Class I
(Experimental); GRP
Jointly built by Planatec and Vosper/Thornycroft
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909 FORDSPEED TOO: GB (White); Class llC;
GRP
34ft overall and designed by Don Shead for the
old Avenger Boat Co, Fordspeed foo is one of
the new production cruisers now being produced
by East Kent Marine in their Tiger-Shark
range. She is powered by a pair of 250 hp Ford
Sabre diesels transmitting via a unique system
of surlace propellers. Unfortunately her performance
so far this season has been somewhat
disappointing against other diesel competitors.
Fordspeed loo will be driven bv veteran Jack
Cunningham.