Oulton Broad Club Meeting: 18/06/09
Date added: 24/06/09
On a glorious summers evening at Oulton Broad, the Area 31 Racing Team had an enjoyable nights racing even though they only managed to finish fourth overall after the three heats.
The team competed with the 1973 500cc Konig powered Cabover hydroplane and as every race goes by driver David Jones seems to be putting in quicker and more consistent lap times which is fantastic to see for such a classic outfit.
With the handicap system in place the first race saw the Area 31 Racing Team start one minute fifty seconds behind the first boat and despite average lap times of 41 to 43 seconds, driver David Jones ran out of laps to make up the deficit finishing 5th.
The second heat saw Area 31 Racing continue to put in consistently quick lap times and as driver David Jones made his way through the field he was able to hold off the challenge from Matt Lockwood in the 500cc GRM Hydrocat. As the race entered its final lap David was able to squeeze inside Julian Codling with a fantastic tight turn at the famous Wherry turn and accelerated away up the back straight in search of the leaders.
As they exited the top turn it was great to see all the boats on the run in together towards the checkered flag with Barry Hales taking the win and David Jones overtaking Tony Knights and Mike Pacey on the line to take second place. It was a great race with handicaps being very close to spot on as any one of six could have taken the win on the final lap.
Despite the close finish in heat two handicaps were changed further and despite Area 31 Racing putting in some of their quickest laps of the year, driver David Jones could not quite make up the deficit finishing 5th in the final heat with Julian Codling taking the win in the GRM 250cc powered Andick hull.
Overall driver Area 31 Racing finished fourth overall with 638 points behind Mike Pacey, Rob Hales and Julian Codling. Although the Area 31 Racing Team were a little disappointed with fourth overall they were more than happy with the consistent lap times of 41 to 42 seconds considering the 500cc Konig engine is over 35 years old.
