Powerboat P1 is the fastest growing marine motorsport series in the world and has a long term commitment to growing and developing the sport of power boating at all levels. The Powerboat P1 team works closely with the sports governing bodies, the UIM, APBA and the IJSBA. P1 has delivered more than 85 world championship events in over twelve different countries for more than a decade.
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As we look ahead to this weekend’s Cowes Powerboat Festival – which will feature the 63rd running of the historic and prestigious Cowes Torquay Cowes race, together with the Cowes Poole Cowes and Round The Island races – we caught up with experienced racer Chris Dodge on his return to this country from his home in Mallorca to prepare for the big race.
Welcome back, Chris! Tell us about life in Spain.
“I live with my family in Mallorca, the largest island in the Balearic Islands, where I run a construction and property development company and my wife, Nicola owns a successful estate agency. I was born and grew up in Devon and we made regular visits to Mallorca as a family before moving here. We are all now Spanish residents and I will be flying the flag for Spain on Saturday.
Who will you be racing with this weekend?
My youngest son James will be alongside me. He is a successful Forex trader and also works with me in my construction business. He has been building boats with me for many years and helped put my original Dragon race boat together when he was only 14 years old. He has raced a Phantom 21 with Rob Lockyer’s daughter, Emma. My eldest son Laurence also races powerboats and was a Spanish Superbike rider for many years.
How did you get into powerboat racing?
Apparently I started boating with my father when I was in a carrycot and just 9 months old. My mother wasn’t too pleased. My father used to drive me as a ski racer in a Phantom 21 and I then drove a ski race boat. I got into powerboat racing when I was about 28. My first CTC race was in a Dragon 39 in 2012 with my brother and we came third. We continued to compete in the race until 2016 and always finished on the podium – but first place eluded us.
What does the CTC race mean to you?
CTC is special to me for so many reasons. It was always my ambition to race it. I can remember as a small boy (I would have been about 5 or 6 years old) jumping into my parents' bed and my father, who was boat crazy, reading the Daily Express with pictures and news stories of boats. He read it all out to me and I said “I’m going to do that race one day, Dad.” Well, it took me nearly 40 years but I got there in the end. I started with the CPC race and my father lived to see me compete in the CTC in 2012 and 2013. My parents waited for us to arrive in Torquay and it was a very proud moment for all of us. My son James also wanted to do the race from an early age and my brother Nick did it.
What boat will you be running on Saturday?
James has put together our 39 ft. Skater 399, called Smokin Aces, with Charlie from Nautexe. It’s powered by Mercury engines and has Anreson surface drives. It will be very special to race with James and I hope my father will be looking down on us and urging us on.
BritishPowerboatRacingClub.co.uk CowesTorquayCowes.co.uk CowesTorquayCowes.co.uk Race Timetable Cowes Powerboat Festival Entry List
All photos supplied by Chris Dodge
