Busy promoting this year’s Earls Court Boat show, Managing Director James Brooke, an experienced yachtsman, has been sponsoring a Formula 4-stroke powerboat team. And it looks as though he’s caught the bug himself.

At 5am on Saturday 9th August, Team Earls Court from the Honda Formula 4-Stroke Powerboat Series set a new speed record for the circumnavigation of the Isle of Wight in a Honda 150 Class Powerboat.

The Cougar race boat was driven by James Brooke, MD of the Sail Power & Watersports Show at Earls Court, and Navigated by Daniel Whapples, Production Director of Cougar Marine.

The 57 mile trip was completed in 1 hour, 9 minutes and 22 seconds with an average speed of 49.77 mph.

After arriving back in Cowes, James, said, “We experienced a range of different sea states, and passing St. Catherines Point was particularly exciting with the sun dawning over the island as we raced over the roughest part of the trip. Thanks to Cougar for building a great hull and to Honda for designing a superb engine”.

Team Earls Court will be in action again at Liverpool from 15th – 17th August as they battle for podium position at the Liverpool Grand Prix in the Honda Formula 4-stroke Series.

See all the action at The new Formula 4-Stroke website