Cowes to Host British Grand Prix - KBL at the Helm of Cowes Classic!
KBL Powerboat Management Ltd, rights holder and promoter of the UIM Powerboat P1 World Championship, is to take over the running of the Cowes Classic, one of the world’s premier festivals of offshore racing.
(PRWEB) March 8, 2005 -- It is today confirmed that KBL Powerboat Management
Ltd, rights holder and promoter of the U.I.M. Powerboat P1 World Championship,
is to take over the running of the Cowes Classic, one of the world’s premier
festivals of offshore racing. In its deal with the British Powerboat Racing
Club, KBL will be responsible for the long term development of the festival, a
major component of which is to establish the Cowes Classic as the new British
home of the U.I.M. Powerboat P1 World Championship.
The Cowes Classic,
established in 1961, brings together powerboats and their crews from across the
globe for five days of spectacular and highly competitive racing. The 2005
festival will commence on Thursday 25th August and include a series of national
and championship rounds along with the British Grand Prix, comprising two rounds
of the Powerboat P1 World Championship. With more than 70 boats expected, the
festival’s new promoter intends to work closely with the Isle of Wight Council,
local business and the UK tourism industry to create an international spectacle
with worldwide appeal.
Powerboat P1 is the success story of performance
boat racing with its international flavour, competitor numbers and marine
industry backing increasing year-on-year. In 2005 the Championship comprises
seven events in six European countries and at least 20 high-performance craft
are expected to compete in the UK leg of the World Championship.
Nathan
Knight, CEO, KBL Powerboat Management Ltd:
"The Cowes Classic is steeped
in racing history and we are excited by the prospect of combining the P1 World
Championship with such a prestigious event. We now have the ingredients to make
this classic meeting the industry show-piece and a real celebration of marine
motorsport. Our objective is to create a festival of performance racing that the
public can relate to in much the same way that they do with the Grand National
at Aintree or the British Grand Prix at Silverstone."
"We shall bring
together all interested parties to revitalise and build the Cowes Classic into a
premier international performance boating festival with entertainment on and off
the water. Powerboat P1 will be the catalyst as we look to create an environment
that maximises appeal for teams and spectators. These are very exciting
developments for the marine industry and for British motorsport."
Lord
Beaverbrook, Chairman, British Powerboat Racing Club:
"The Cowes Classic
is one of Britain’s great endurance challenges for competitors and the marine
industry, where boat design, engineering excellence, navigational skills and
seamanship are all put to the test under race conditions. KBL has proven
expertise in the organisation and promotion of international events and this
deal will provide the Cowes Classic with new impetus and secure a long-term
future for the event."
"The BPRC is passionate about Cowes, its
traditions and rich heritage and we are very pleased to have taken this step and
introduced professional management to this classic meeting. We believe that
KBL’s plans to develop the Cowes Classic present it with an exciting
future."
Cllr Shirley Smart, Leader of the Isle of Wight
Council:
"The Isle of Wight has played host to the Cowes Classic for many
years and we enthusiastically welcome this initiative. As one of the UK’s top
holiday destinations we are continually looking to add new experiences to the
wide variety of activities and sights that are available for the enjoyment of
our visitors."
"Including the Powerboat P1 World Championship within the
Cowes Classic will also bring the Island worldwide media exposure and a
significant boost to our tourism industry. KBL plan to create a spectacular show
that can be enjoyed by everyone and we fully support this and will be working
closely with them as they look to establish the Cowes Classic as a recognised
international motorsport festival."
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Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/3/prweb215700.htm