2005 – OSM RIB RACERS WIN WORLD CUP WITH EVINRUDE ENGINE Formula One RIB racing team, Outboard Services.co.uk, took the title in the prestigious BIBOA RIB World Cup this year. The team, whose RIB is powered by the new Evinrude 200HO E-TEC outboard engine, have had a very successful season, achieving four wins and a second place out of seven races.
The Outboard Services.co.uk team consists of driver Richard Strawford and navigator Jo Grant, who are both from Cornwall. “It has been a fantastic season,” commented Richard.
“Our E-TEC 200hp has certainly proved to the rest of the racing world that Evinrude are a force to be reckoned with,” he continued. “We have had tremendous support from our sponsors all season, and I am proud to be able to justify their faith in us by winning the World Cup. Many thanks go to Outboard Services, Jets Marivent and BRP.”
The World Cup, organised by the British Inflatable Boat Owners Association (BIBOA), is awarded to the winning boat over a series of three heats. The final heat is traditionally run during the Cowes Classic Powerboat week, which took place this year between the 25th and 29th August. The heats cover a “Round the Island” race, a race from Poole to the Hamble and a return race from Hamble to Poole.
Richard Strawford and navigator Jo GrantThe RIB Formula One class is highly challenging and not for the faint hearted. RIBs in this class are typically 8 Metres in length, and the average race speed this season was between 68 and 75mph. The World Cup challenges both the speed of the craft and the endurance of the team members.
As well as his success in this competition, Richard also came second in the RYA National RIB Formula One Championship.
Date: October 2006
Driver, Richard’s comments: “In a season of seven races, the team has seen Four wins, a second place, a fifth place and one retirement. Our 200 HO certainly has proved to the rest of the racing world that Evinrude are a serious force to be reckoned with.
We have had tremendous back up all season from our sponsors and I am very proud to be able to justify their faith in us by winning the world cup. Thank you – Outboard Services (Lostwithiel)”.
The Offshore RIB Racing Team of Richard Strawford of Pentewan and Jo Grant from St Eval will campaign the 2005 race season with new sponsors, Outboard Services & Marine Limited of Lostwithiel, the premier boat and outboard motor specialist in the South-West. OSM have provided the very latest high-tech Evinrude 200HP outboard motor for their boat.
Steve Kent MD, congratulating Richard and Jo after winning the first round of the National Championships held at Torquay.
Steve Kent, Managing Director of OSM Ltd., himself a former national and world champion powerboat racer, is pictured congratulating Richard and Jo after winning the first round of the National Championships held at Torquay over the Bank Holiday weekend – so look out for boat number R13 “outboardservices.co.uk”.
