Julian Claims 250cc Lap Record At Oulton Broad 31/05/2010
JC Racing team Driver Julian Codling broke the 250cc lap record this afternoon at a breezy and chilly Oulton Broad circuit. To round off the day the JC Racing team also claimed first place overall after a fantastic battle with Area 31 Racing driver David Jones in race two.
Due to the good number of entries the Outboard hydroplanes and OSY's were split for the first time this season and it was Wayne Turner who got race one underway with the 125cc VRP powered Trombetta outfit. Next into the race was Kevin Turner and Paul Jillings, both with GRM 250cc powered hydroplanes shortly followed by Julian Codling in the 250cc JC Racing Team outfit and Stuart Grieves in the Fort 500cc Hydrocat. The field was completed by David Jones in the Classic 1974 500cc Hydroplane restoration, Peter Rix in the 750cc powered barge and Matthew Lockwood with the 500cc powered hydrocat.
JC Racing Team driver Julian powered through the field despite the tricky conditions at Oulton Broad and on lap four broke the 250cc lap record, knocking over half a second of the previous record with a time of 39.33 seconds. Despite being chased hard by both David Jones and Peter Rix in the more powerful classic hydroplanes Julian held on to take the victory in race one.
With a high tide breaking the banks at Oulton Broad race two had to be held on the shorter course due to safety reasons. Once again Wayne Turner in the 125cc powered hydroplane got events underway shortly followed by Kevin Turner, Paul Jillings and Stuart Grieves. After a good race one win Julian started behind the classic 500cc hydroplane outfit of David Jones (Area 31 Racing Team) Followed by Peter Rix and Matthew Lockwood.
Both David and Julian soon carved their way through the field due to powerful driving and other boats mechanical problems and soon found themselves battling for the lead with David staying ahead as they started the last lap. As they approached the bottom turn buoy for the last time Julian and David were neck and neck and as they dived into the turn together, and in a wall of spray it was Julian who appeared in the lead as he raced away up the back straight and managed to hold of the challenge from David Jones as they crossed the line to take the second race win. With these two battling out for the first two places it was Peter Rix who had closed the gap to take third place.
With no third heat taking place due to a unfortunate injury to one of the divers at Oulton Broad meant racing could not continue meant the JC Racing Team were the overall winners with two race wins. David Jones took second place overall in the classic restored 500cc Konig hydroplane.
