World Champion racing drivers Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton joined BBC TV pundits David Coulthard and Martin Brundle in gaining their water-wings during the build up to this past weekends British Grand Prix all thanks to the organisers of the P1 AquaX Championship. The UKs premier Jet-Ski series, the only one of its kind to compete on the sea rather than inland water, was called upon by the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes Team to help organise one of a set of extreme sports challenges for a unique promotional opportunity. Button (2009 FIA Formula One World Champion), Hamilton (2008 F1 title winner) and former Grand Prix stars Coulthard and Brundle took to the River Thames in Londons Docklands on Tuesday, 28 June, for a film piece set for broadcast to a viewing audience of millions on BBC One during the Grand Prix coverage. Lisa Barsby, who heads up the P1 AquaX Championship, and Jim Goodchild, the AquaX Clerk of the Course, provided their wealth of knowledge to ensure the day ran like clockwork and all four participants had an enjoyable, exciting and, most of all, safe experience. Jack Moule, 17 year old british freestyle champion was also in attendance to show off his skills. Coulthard, Button and Hamilton took to the water on 750cc, turbo-charged Hydro Space S4 Jet-Skis while Brundle rode a Yamaha VXR 1800 kindly loaned by Yamaha Motors UK. Unsurprisingly, AquaX chief Lisa a multiple champion in the sport was quickest of all. It was a really fun day and great to meet Jenson, Lewis, David and Martin, theyre a really nice bunch of guys, said Lisa, Despite us coming from different sports, we had a lot in common with our competitive nature. Im not sure how well it went down that they were beaten by a girl, especially one wearing a pink wet-suit! It was great to get some really massive coverage though for AquaX and the sport in general. On the day the idea was for Jim (Goodchild) and I to set a time that the others would try and match, they all had some experience of Jet-Skis from before but Lewis was the quickest and showed the most natural ability. In the end it became a bit of a contest with Jenson and Lewis taking on David and Martin, I think they all had a great time and really enjoyed the day. The next round of the P1 AquaX Championship will take place in Plymouth this coming weekend, 16/17 July. The citys very own Tim Cope and Cornwall racer Dale Flood will take part in the event against the established regulars and are hoping for plenty of partisan support. That said, championship ace Russell Marmon is from Christchurch in Dorset so he will be hoping for just as much South-West support. Always offering highly entertaining action and a thrilling spectacle, AquaX comprises three distinct classes for differing levels of ability Elite 300, Amateur 300 and Amateur 200. Local wildcard stars Cope and Flood will run in an invitational class. Event organisers are keen to attract as many spectators as possible and with viewing completely free-of-charge from Plymouth Hoe and the Mount Batten Watersports and Activities Centre, there really is no excuse not to pop along at some point over the weekend. In addition to AquaX, the UKs premier Powerboat racing stars will also be battling it out in Plymouth in the P1 SuperStock Championship. The Plymouth Grand Prix of the Sea will be the second round of the season and features two classes P1 Panther 250 and P1 150 and two differing styles of action, one-on-one Match racing and the headline Rally races.
