Although Julian started hydroplane racing in 2005, his late father Jack Codling was a successful hydroplane racer in the 1960's and 1970's competing on the local circuit of Oulton Broad, and also on the national and international circuit.
Jack is remembered for competing with the Konig powered cabover hydroplane famously known as 'Zebedee', which may answer the question for powerboat racing fans to why son, and JC Racing Team driver Julian, has an image of the 'Magic Roundabout' character on the back of his crash helmet.
Jack was known as a successful hydroplane racer especially on the local circuit at Oulton Broad. There are very few trophies that Julian is winning now at Oulton Broad that don't have his fathers name already engraved on them.
Jack was able to get the maximum out of the Konig powered hydroplanes he raced throughout his career as was nicknamed by fellow racer and journalist Alan Richards as 'Full Throttle Codling'.
Jack's achievements on the local circuit were equalled on the national circuit when in 1971 he became the national hydroplane champion.
Competing against the likes of Doug Willey, David Jones Senior, Brian Green, Phil Stacey, Norman Whitelocke and Frank Prior, all great hydroplane racers in their own rights, Jack won the title at his local circuit of Oulton Broad much to home crowds delight and received the traditional champions dunking back into the Broad.
