04/07/2024
📣THIS SATURDAY COME JOIN US! Powerboat Race Day on Windermere 🚤🚤🚤🏁🏆
• RACE DAYS ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!
• Viewing from the prestigious Windermere Motor Boat Racing Club
• 5 to 7 Races 12 pm - 5 pm
• Watch from the grounds of WMBRC or spectate from the lake
• FREE ENTRY
• NO PARKING - DROP OFF ONLY - ON A BUS / TAXI ROUTE -
• House tours available
• WMBRC, Broad Leys, Newby Bridge Rd, Windermere LA23 3LJ
About Windermere Motor Boat Racing Club 🚤
One of the oldest motor boat racing clubs in the world and the eldest in the UK, our club has been racing on Windermere since 1926 and at the current location of Broad Leys since 1952. Racing on Windermere came to a pause in 2005 as a result of the introduction of the 10mph speed limit.
WMBRC are delighted to have been granted exemptions since 2013 to be able to bring this long-established tradition back to this area of the lake for now 4 afternoons each year.
The race course is within the bay area South of Storrs Hall Hotel to Rawlinson’s Nab and is marked by orange buoys on race days.
Racing with handicap starts 🚤
Typically, there are 7 races, each with a designated trophy. Races last approximately 10 minutes in duration and the trophies contested include some dating back to the 1920’s.
WMBRC operates a Handicap start system for Drivers and Boats based on previous performance with faster boats starting behind slower boats in speed order.
Drivers observe the start clock and begin their laps at their allocated start time. It is then a race to the chequered flag to be the first over the finish line.
The start clock has recently been restored back to the original clock from the mis 1960’s with a new motor in place linked directly to the timing PC for a bit of history to blend with the new technology.
Sometimes it is not the first across the line that wins a race though. Like in golf, to make it as fair as possible with differing speeds of boat, handicaps apply and penalties can be given for breaking that handicap and for others things such as starting early, missing a buoy etc.
Safety ⚠️
During the racing a full Safety and Patrol System will be in place under CPA (Circuit
Powerboat Association) Rules. Patrol Boats around the perimeter of the course to ensure that no one can sail inadvertently onto the course.
All drivers have a racing licence from the CPA after training by the club and an annual medical. Drivers can start racing at the club from 16 years old.
WMBRC has 3 qualified powerboat racing instructors and all new drivers go through a training syllabus. Anyone can request this course and we can provide full training in our club training boat 'Spirit'.
Flags 🏳️
🟦 Blue Flag - Patrol Boat
🟩 Green Flag - Course open and racing underway
🟨 Yellow Flag - Proceed with caution in area of flown flags
🟨 Yellow Flag waved low - Large waves on race course
🟥 Red Flag anywhere - Reduce speed and stop racing immediately
🏁 Chequered FlagEnd of race
Boats 🚤🚤🚤🚤
WMBRC club boats range from 60mph small mono hulls powered by 90hp engine up to Formula 2 class Catamarans capable of a straight line speed of 120mph in the right conditions. Many though opt for the mid-sized Phantom speed boat with V6 engines of varying power. This sees some competitive racing in the mid pack.
A common opinion is that powerboat racing is very expensive. Well, all motorsport is expensive, but powerboats come in at the lower end with a competitive club boat costing in the region of £3,000 to £8,000.
