The 1990's saw The Area 31 Racing Team do the 'Italian Job' competing with a Popoli hull specially designed in Italy that was powered once again by a 500cc Konig engine.
The outfit had previously been raced by the late Mick Pentney and was one of only a handful of pickle fork Popoli's ever to be built. Area 31 Racing took on the United Paints / ERS sponsored Popoli in memory of Mick whilst Graham Cooke took on racing Mick's other boat, a 700cc powered 'Pickle fork' boat built by Nigel Ringwood.
Area 31 Racing once again travelled the country chasing that elusive national title but came up against a promising young driver named Paul Noone. From the famous 'Noone' racing family Paul showed his natural ability at a young age and went onto to not only win the national title but also became a multiple World & European champion.
The Area 31 Racing Team never forgot their roots and as members of the Lowestoft & Oulton Broad Motor Boat Club, continued to race the Konig powered Popoli on the local circuit at Oulton Broad. The Popoli was beginning to generate a great deal of interest from the powerboat fans who came to watch at Oulton Broad and it was not surprising considering it lapped in under 37 seconds.
However, seeing a decline in hydroplanes competing on the local and national circuit and the decline in international races being held in Britain the Area 31 Racing Team decided it was time to call it a day and retired from the sport in the mid 1990's after over 25 years in the sport.
