The 2008 Honda Formula 4-Stroke Offshore Powerboat Series enjoyed a thrilling climax in the rough and tumble conditions of Douglas Bay, Isle of Man. 

Despite the rough waters – that led to several spills and nasty injuries – the Lings Racing team put in a series of fantastic performances to record a solid sixth place finish in the Saturday qualifying race and then take 2nd place in both of Sunday’s finals for a third place podium finish over the entire weekend.

It was a suitably epic finale to what has been a fantastic season of racing, with the waters of Douglas Bay, coupled with the challenging, corner-filled course, providing a heart-stopping spectacle for the rapt crowd.  Lings Racing, driven as always by David Cowley and assisted by Navigator Paul Barkshire negotiated to multitude of hazards during the race – including several crews thrown from their vessels by the aggressive swell of Douglas Bay.  Serious mechanical faults also ended the race prematurely for a couple of crews, with a couple of crews suffering their engine mount snapping under the stress of the conditions.



But Lings Racing more than rose to the challenges posed by Douglas Bay.  After all the weekends points were totalled up Lings ended a brilliant 3rd for the race weekend, taking enough points to end their first season in the Premier 225hp Class in 4th place overall.  This achievement cannot be understated – the technical and physical challenges of the Premier 225hp Class are a world apart from the 150hp class Lings Racing triumphed in last year, as Paul Barkshire says:

“Fourth place for the series is a fantastic achievement for us.  It’s fair to say that we’ve found our first season in the 225 a real learning experience, but it’s a credit to the entire team around us – the technical crew, our families and everyone who’s supported us throughout the series – that we’ve managed to do as well as we have.  I cannot thank you all enough.”



With Honda announcing a two-year extension to their sponsorship of the series at Sunday’s podium presentation, anticipation is already high for the 2009 F4SA series to top this year’s spectacular season. Geoff Matthews, head of Power Equipment at Honda UK, presented the trophies along with Hon Marytn Quayle MHK, Minister for Tourism and Leisure. “This has been a very successful end to what has been a remarkable season. It has been a challenging year for us all but we have had a great time and are pleased to have now announced that Honda will continue to back the F4SA for the next two years.” Said Geoff.  Plymouth based team 'Negotiator' completed the succesful defence of their 225hp title, pushed right to wire by the Heights Of Abraham team, who finished 2nd in the series entire by just four points.  The 150hp class, won by Lings Racing last year, was won by Jak Cockman and Andy Phipps of Drainstore.com.

As for Lings Racing in 2009?  Paul is in confident mood: “This year has been a huge learning curve for all of us.  While we’re obviously delighted with our final position, next year we really want to be up there challenging for the big prize of first.  Right now it feels like the only way is up.”

Honda Formula 4-Stroke Association:
The Honda Formula 4-Stroke Powerboat Series is the largest offshore powerboat Championship in the world. With the help of eight-time Class 1 World Powerboat Champion, Steve Curtis MBE, Honda launched the Series in 1999 in order to prove the performance of their then newly launched BF130 4-stroke outboard.

Since its creation nine years ago, F4SA has fundamentally changed powerboat racing in the UK. Its rapid development has seen it grow from just four teams competing in a single 130hp class in 1999, to some 40 teams competing in two classes in 2007.

By John Barkshire