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Introduction
Take 18 identical 21-foot boats powered by identical Honda BF150 outboard engines. Add eighteen competitive amateur racing teams hungry for the chequered flag and you have the Honda Formula 4-Stroke championship (HF4S), the largest, most exciting offshore powerboat series in the world.
Take 18 identical 21-foot boats powered by identical Honda BF150 outboard engines. Add eighteen competitive amateur racing teams hungry for the chequered flag and you have the Honda Formula 4-Stroke championship (HF4S), the largest, most exciting offshore powerboat series in the world.
Background
The championship was Honda's brainchild back in 1999. Seeing that astronomical costs were forcing powerboating beyond the means of the ordinary boat enthusiast, Honda vowed to devise a racing class that was simple, safe and affordable to all. With the Honda Formula 4-Stroke series, amateur racers enter standard production boats (21ft sports cruisers) with Honda BF150 engines (introduced in 2004 to replace the BF130) for the price of a traditional family sportsboat.
The championship was Honda's brainchild back in 1999. Seeing that astronomical costs were forcing powerboating beyond the means of the ordinary boat enthusiast, Honda vowed to devise a racing class that was simple, safe and affordable to all. With the Honda Formula 4-Stroke series, amateur racers enter standard production boats (21ft sports cruisers) with Honda BF150 engines (introduced in 2004 to replace the BF130) for the price of a traditional family sportsboat.
Modifications
Modifications on either boat or engine are not permitted, keeping costs to a minimum and using the drivers' and navigators' skills to a maximum. This guarantees some of the closest racing the UK waters have seen for some time.
Modifications on either boat or engine are not permitted, keeping costs to a minimum and using the drivers' and navigators' skills to a maximum. This guarantees some of the closest racing the UK waters have seen for some time.
The 2008 Honda Championship
The dates for the 2008 Honda Championship are:
24th and 25th May - Torquay
14th and 15th June - Plymouth
26th and 27th July - Lowestoft
16th and 17th August - Liverpool
13th and 14th September - Douglas, Isle of Man
The dates for the 2008 Honda Championship are:
24th and 25th May - Torquay
14th and 15th June - Plymouth
26th and 27th July - Lowestoft
16th and 17th August - Liverpool
13th and 14th September - Douglas, Isle of Man
Championship Leaders
At the helm of the 4-Stroke series is one of Britain's most successful sportsmen, reigning and six times World Class One Offshore Powerboat Champion, Steve Curtis. When not battling to reclaim his championship title, Steve can be found working with the Formula 4-Stroke Association, fine-tuning and promoting this exhilarating series. The championship has been so well run by Honda they won the Hollis Award for on going sponsorship, beating the Flora London Marathon, HSBC sponsored drama on ITV and Lloyds TSB's support of the Edinburgh Festival.
At the helm of the 4-Stroke series is one of Britain's most successful sportsmen, reigning and six times World Class One Offshore Powerboat Champion, Steve Curtis. When not battling to reclaim his championship title, Steve can be found working with the Formula 4-Stroke Association, fine-tuning and promoting this exhilarating series. The championship has been so well run by Honda they won the Hollis Award for on going sponsorship, beating the Flora London Marathon, HSBC sponsored drama on ITV and Lloyds TSB's support of the Edinburgh Festival.