Southampton Grand Prix of the Sea sets UK's Southern Coast Abuzz

Powerboat fans in the UK were buzzing about the four big races on the South Coast at Southampton this weekend - as the Southampton Grand Prix of the Sea was set against the backdrop of the big PSP Southampton Boat Show. Seventeen teams from the Powerboat P1 SuperStock Championship fleet competed, including five teams that hit the water in P1 for the very first time.

PHOTO CREDIT: Powerboat P1 Superstock

That fact made it especially exciting for Team Fox, who celebrated its maiden Powerboat P1 SuperStock Championship as Martin Colligan and Gideon du Val beat seven other powerboat teams to the title, moving within 26-points of championship leaders, Grandstand Motor Sports, with one event to go.

PHOTO CREDIT: PSP Southampton Boat Show.

Early reports had ticket sales up by 112% and the 350+ boat show had added up to 70 more showboats on exhibit in the marina, significantly up from 2009. The excitement and crowds generated by the boat show offered an outstanding opportunity for the P1 SuperStock Championship racers to compete in front of a large and enthusiastic audience. Last year the ten-day boat show event attracted 130,000 visitors but organizers say this year's 42nd annual show would likely break all records.