Meet the Officials Click here to see the 2010 World Hovercraft Champions

Watch the replays here: www.hover-racing.org

Without these people, who are all volunteers, enthusiasts and in some cases racers too, there would be no racing for everyone to enjoy! These are the guys and gals in orange or blue. Click here to find out what each job involves.

Louise Beale
(Organiser/Lapscorer)

Admin & Finance Team Leader

I run my own business in the light aircraft industry with my husband Conrad. I have been involved with Hovercraft racing since the age of 1, and met Conrad through racing. Our two children are 4th generation Hoverclub on Conrad's side!

I have raced, but my biggest achievement in racing would be to complete a season with no injuries - I don't seem to bounce well. We also do a bit of cruising as this is a great way to include young children in the sport. I am currently heavily involved in the organisation of the World Championships, and I am also the Records Officer and Membership Officer for the HCGB. Over the years I have been a Competitions Committee Member, Flag Marshall, Start Marshal & Chief Marshal, Admin Co-ordinator, and probably other jobs I have forgotten to mention. For me Hovercrafting is a passion, a way of life!

Claire Mason
(Race Director)

I first found the world of hovercraft from my Dad, I think I was about 3 when he first discovered a craft and decided that was what he wanted to be doing. It didn't take long for me to decide that is what I wanted to do as well.

I first drove a hovercraft at about 7(ish) at a local school field, but had to wait till I was 12 to be able to race in Juniors, where I enjoyed many great races and made lots of friends. After 4 years of Juniors I spent a year racing in F3, then moved on to F2 and raced as a team with my Dad.

I spent 9 years racing in F2 before a change in job meant that I couldn't make it to some of the race meetings, and then my team mate retired from racing for a 'behind the camera' position that most of you now recognise him for!!

2010 is my fourth year as Race Director and my 30th year as a member of the HCGB.

Heather Black
(Senior Paddock Marshal)

Racing Support & Officials Team Leader

Heather is the Chief Executive of a youth work charity based in Somerset. She found hovercraft racing in 1992 when her husband built a craft for his youth club to race. Heather has been racing herself since 1995 in F3, F25/35 and currently in F503. She has also competed as an Endurance team with her daughters as the 'Women in Black' and participated in 3 Rhone Raids.

Heather has marshalled since 2003 and been the British Paddock Marshal since 2004. She has also controlled the paddock at European and World Championship events.

Her hobbies include 'buying orange clothes and accessories to embarrass her children' and her ambition is to have an organised and efficiently run paddock at these World Championships, but this will probably only happen if there are no drivers in it!

Conrad Beale
(Ass't to Race Director)

Site Layout Team Leader

I run my own business in the light aircraft industry with my wife Louise. I have been a Hoverclub member my whole life and our two children are 4th generation Hoverclub! My father, Nigel Beale, was the first person to cross the English Channel in a single seat hovercraft in 1972.

I achieved my ambition becoming Formula 1 World Champion in 2002, with added pride that craft designed and built by myself took the top 4 places in that Championship. I have also held several National Championships and European Championships in different formulae. I am helping to organise the 2010 World Championships. I am also an HCGB Scrutineer and over the years I have been a Competitions Committee Member and Marshal too. I am now looking towards the future as my son will be old enough to race in 2011 (and my daughter in 2012) - and will be racing alongside the children of my fellow juniors!

Barry Oakley
(Commentator
HCGB Chairman)

It all started for me in 1966 at Apethorpe where the first hover rally was held and hovercrafting is my life's hobby.

I have raced for many years, then after one accident too many I started marshalling, went on to paddock marshal, chief marshal and ended up being a UK, European and World race director for many years. Now I'm doing something I'm very good at: talk (I have been the resident commentator for many years now).

Started driving a hovercraft in '68 when racing did not exist, instead we had rallies (timed obstacle courses). Then when the formulas were introduced I raced in F1, and in F2 (UK Champion in '78 & '79).

My main ambition is to leave behind a great legacy in this sport.

Tracey Taylor
(Chief Marshal)

Tracey first went hovercraft racing at the age of 6 months. She's grown up with hovercraft racing and has always been very involved herself. Tracey has now been marshalling for 14 years!

She loves the uniqueness of the sport and the friends she has made. She has raced in the past but, although she loved the driving, she doesn't think she's competitive enough to be a full-on racer.

Tracey has been Chief Marshal for 3 years and feels that she has reached the level that is right for her, she just really enjoys being involved.

Sue Goldney
(Organiser)

Marketing Team Leader

I started racing over 20 years ago along with my husband Tony. So far I've competed in over 300 races in Formula 3, 2 and 1. I'm currently the GB 2009 Formula 2 Champion in team with Tony.

I am very involved in all aspects of Hovercraft Racing and organise Meetings. Racing is great because it lets you forget all about work and is just so much fun!

My ambition is to become as quick as Tony.

Charlotte Oakley-Peters
(Senior Start Marshal)

Charlotte is a support Manager who has lived in the UK since 1997 and is married to Barry Oakley, who is the HCGB Chair and Commentator.

Charlotte got involved in hovercraft racing through her brother who built his own craft and started to attend European race meetings.

Charlotte has never raced but has 'had a go' which put a big grin on her face and plenty of mud too!

Charlotte loves hovercrafting because it is a great social sport and unusual which is good because she admits that she has no other time for any other hobbies. However her ambition is to become the start marshal with the best wrist action ever!

Michael Rausch
(Deputy Race Director)

Michael, who is president of the German Hovercraft Club, discovered hovercrafting at an exhibition in Munich in 1988 and started racing the following year.

His greatest racing achievement was coming 2nd in the F3 European Championship. He loves hovercrafting because "Everything is crazy = Racers, People, Crafts, Marshalls, Me……".

Bob Coles
(Ass't to Race Director)

I'm a Post Office Engineer and love Hovercraft racing, Motor Sport and Travel.

I first started racing in the early '80s and built my own hovercraft. It just suits me and I love it.

My ambition is get round the course!

Andrew Deacon
(Ass't to Race Director)

Andy discovered hover-craft at the Earls Court Boat Show and has been racing since the early '80's. His achievements include 2nd in the F2 National Championship, 2nd and 3rd places in European events, and sinking in Czechoslovakia!

He likes hovercraft because they are amphibious, and can be built in a shed. His ambition is for his wife to get a highly-paid job so she can support him to spend 3 months a year hovercrafting!

Carl Smith
(Safety Officer)

Carl came to his first race meeting in a pram, but later discovered that a hovercraft was faster! He has raced on and off for many years, including finishing 6th at the 2002 World Championships in America.

Carl's ambition is for everyone to leave a race meeting as healthy as they arrived - so are you in charge of hangover cures too Carl?

Catherine Lucas
(Race Control-Administration)

Catherine is an Early Years Professional who discovered hovercraft racing in 1991 through some friends who raced. In 1992 she became a marshal as her partner was the start marshal and she wanted something to do with her spare time during the day.

She spent many years as a flag/paddock/grid marshal before venturing into race control one day and 'the next thing she knew she was in charge of it' (and is still not entirely sure how that happened).

Catherine has never raced but her daughter Jess does. She loves the social side of hovercrafting and has made many friends and particularly enjoys the friendly atmosphere in race control.

Zoe Smallwood
(Lapscorer/Race Control)

Zoe's parents are long-time members of the hovercraft club so she was born into it (many of the now-grown up members of her Dad's school hovercraft team remember little Zoe and her younger sister Fay coming along to race meetings with them, aw!).

When Zoe came back to hovercrafting after university she didn't just want to be a spectator, so she volunteered to help with the Electronic Lap Scoring system. She has never raced, claiming she's not quite crazy enough!

Gill Coles
(Lapscorer)

Gill is a Learning Support Assistant (year 1) who became involved in hovercraft racing when her husband (Bob) announced that he wanted to build a craft.

Gill has never marshalled or raced a craft but did drive 'Blued' around a field once. She loves hovercrafting because it is so unusual and the people are fantastic. It is such a magic place for kids to grow and develop. Gill's ambition is to retire from lapscoring before her eyesight goes and her hands become too arthritic but be assured she can still take her drink!

Julie Cooksey
(Lapscorer)

Julie discovered hovercrafting in 1996 through friends. When Catherine asked her if she'd like to become a lap scorer, she jumped at the chance and has been part of our race control team ever since. She has never had the chance to race, and her one go in a craft was slightly marred by knackered ankles caused by falling out of a caravan!

Julie loves how friendly and welcoming the world of hovercrafting is, demonstrated by the willingness of opponents in the same formula to help each other mend craft so that they can keep racing. She particularly enjoys the social side of the club, which might explain why her ambition is sometimes simply to get back to the trailer safely!

Ruth Lewendon
(Lapscorer)

Ruth's occupation is as an "engineer/mummy", which makes her perfectly qualified to deal with hovercraft and the people mending and driving them. She has been involved in the club since 1997 because her then-boyfriend, now-husband, was part of the school racing team.

She loves hovercrafting for the great family atmosphere, which is why she has got all her extended family involved (excellent marshal recruitment strategy Ruth!)

Lorraine Polfrey
(Lapscorer)

Lorraine started going to race meetings with her husband David in 1990. She loves it because it is different, exciting, and a friendly bunch of people.

Lorraine is the only member of her family not to race, but she is content to stay dry and warm in race control.

Juliet Ives
(Lapscorer)

Juliet and her family started coming to race meetings with friends and family who were long-time members of the club. She likes being part of a team in Race Control, and having fun with all her friends.

Her ambition is to take over the world - Race Control do have a lot of power, but maybe not quite that much!

Susan Ives
(Lapscorer)

Susan is a nursery nurse, which might explain why she filled in her marshals and other officials questionnaire in crayon! She first discovered hovercraft racing when her friend Ruth brought her along to keep her company.

She has raced previously, and says her greatest achievement was finishing the race. Her hovercraft ambitions are to stay warm and out of the rain, which is why she works in Race Control.

Claire Keates
(Lapscorer)

District Nurse Claire discovered hover-crafting in 2000 through a friend who races. She loves it because it is "relaxing but still hard work (in a good fun way)".

Claire's other hobbies include dancing, knitting, and shoes. Hopefully this interest extends to wellies given the amount of time she spends in fields!

Paula Broad
(Lapscorer)

Avril Drew
(Lapscorer)

Avril first discovered racing hovercraft when she spotted 'cute' little hovercraft being unloaded from the big SRN hovercraft at Calais.

She loves hovercrafting because it's a great family sport and good fun.

As well as working in Race Control, Avril is an essential part of Team Drew (she feeds them!).

Pat Milligan
(Lapscorer)

Pat discovered hover-crafting when her son Steven started to race. This is also when she discovered her other hobby of being a workshop assistant!

Her greatest hovercrafting achievement was surviving a ride with Steven in his F1 craft.

Pat became a lapscorer to help out and become more involved. She enjoys coming to race meetings because of the friendly atmosphere and the people, and hopes to continue enjoying the sport in the future.

Christel Martens
(Lapscorer)

I discovered racing through my husband in 1998 when he built his own craft.

No way would I ever race myself but I love being involved with it.

I'm looking forward to meeting lots of nice people at the Worlds and making new friends.

Margret Heinze
(Lapscorer)

Margret is from Germany and has been involved in hovercraft racing for many years. She is looking forward to meeting old and new friends at WHC2010.

John Rees
(Scrutineer)

John is now retired but first discovered hover-craft racing in his day job where he used to teach engineering.

Although he no longer races he was the Formula 1 Champion in 1999. He loves hovercrafting because it's great fun and he has many friends in the Club.

As to ambition, well John wants to be around to see the racing for a good number of years!!

David Polfrey
(Scrutineer)

David started racing in 1984 and has raced various different formula.

He thinks that it's great fun with a fantastic group of people. His ambition is to win all 3 formula in 2010.

Ewan Black
(Scrutineer)

Ewan is an Outdoor Educator who discovered hover-crafting when he built a craft with his youth group.

He has raced in several formulas and is most proud of coming 3rd in the F3 National Championship in 2002.

These days he races in formula 503, in between fixing the craft after his daughters have (allegedly) broken it, and scrutineering.

Ewan's ambition is to be wealthy enough to put all his design ideas into practice, so watch out champions if he wins the lottery!

Tony Broad
(Scrutineer)

I built my first F3 hovercraft as a student project in 1993 and that sparked my interest.

I like to design and make my own craft and make hulls for myself and my daughter, who is current Junior World Champion, and for my friends and to see them do well too.

Jonathan Spedding
(Scrutineer)

John is a carpenter/joiner in his day job so these skills certainly come in useful when around racing hovercraft!

He was born into a racing family so has been involved for all of his life, and loves it, and has many racing achievements under his belt.

Keith Smallwood
(Scrutineer)

Keith built his first hovercraft while at university in 1973 and has been racing ever since.

He has competed in most formulas over the years, achieving numerous top-three places in the National and European championships, and also cruises, taking part in the Rhone Raid every year.

His other major hovercrafting achievement is introducing many new people to the club through the teams he ran as a teacher at Bradfield School.

Hovercraft are also Keith's day job - he is the owner of hovercraft building company Vortex Services.

His ambition is to keep hovercrafting for as long as possible!

Penny Lovell
(Paddock/Grid Marshal)

Penny is a student who first became aware of hovercraft 10 years ago when her Dad took her to the Hovercraft museum in Gosport and then later to the World Championships at Weston Park.

She went on to race in Juniors, coming 4th in the national championships in 2002 although her overall highest position for a race meeting was 2nd at Gang Warily in 2004.

Penny's marshalling career began as a muscle marshal when she was racing in Juniors but then 'got kidnapped by Heather in a blaze of orange at Berlin World Championships and again in Sweden and as they say the rest is history!'

Penny loves hovercrafting because of the family atmosphere and because everyone helps everyone else out. It is also very exciting to watch and to help marshal. In the future Penny wouldn't mind being a Race Director.

Hannah Deacon
(Grid Marshal)

I started coming to racing before I was born! I've raced in Juniors and qualified as a senior in 2009. I won the first Novice race that I entered. I love racing - racing is living and everything else is just waiting!

My main ambition is to eventually race in F1.

Broni Black
(Grid Marshal)

Broni is a year 10 student at the Kings of Wessex school in Cheddar where she also has sporting colours for hockey, football, athletics and netball. Broni is one of the youngest regular marshals at HCGB race meetings and claims that she only became a marshal because she was 'born into it'.

Broni currently races in Juniors and is the reigning British Champion.

She loves attending hovercraft race meetings because she has grown up with it, the people are like a community, she enjoys the thrill of racing and says 'how can you not like it!' But her ambition this year is to be the World Junior Champion for 2010.

Ann Chalkley
(Paddock Marshal)

Ann is a researcher who first discovered hover- craft racing when she attended a race meeting 10 years ago with her then-boyfriend and 'it sort of stuck!'

Ann has never raced claiming that no one has ever been keen to let her loose with their craft. So instead she became a paddock marshal after being persuaded late in the evening at an HCGB AGM.

Ann likes hovercrafting because it is fun, racing is exciting to watch and the people are great. However her ambition for this World Championship is not to get run over in the paddock, so drivers take note!

Wouter Castendijk
(Paddock Warden)

Wouter is (sort of) retired although he has many hobbies including DIY, cars, vacations and travelling.

He first became interested in hovercraft many years ago and has subsequently built his own 4 seater cruising craft. However one thing led to another and he is now happy to 'hang out' with the fun crowd (marshals) and get himself a front seat at the races. He says that it is 'the closest that he can get to racing as he has never raced himself although he has attended many cruising events including the Rhone Raid, the Shannon and did a tour for Hoveraid to Madagasca.

Wouter loves hovercrafting because you can get to places nobody else can and building the craft is a big part of the fun. His ambition is to do a trip of several thousand kms through Europe or the USA.

Hermione Clulow
(Grid Marshal)

Hermione was recruited into Team Drew back in 1999 and has been standing around in fields marshalling ever since! She doesn't race, although has driven craft around a school field a few times. Hermione loves the people, along with the perseverance and perspiration that this sport inspires.

Her ambition for the Worlds is for her to not get run over on the grid and for Team Drew to do well.

Rhian Black
(Start & Grid Marshal)

Rhian is an A level student at the Kings of Wessex school in Cheddar. She claims that she was born into hovercraft and only became a marshal 'to help her mum out in the paddock but got stolen for the grid/start and has been there ever since'.

Rhian currently races F503. Rhian's ambition is to be able to multitask and perhaps to race and marshal effectively at the same time!

Jo-Anne Driscoll
(Grid Marshal)

Jo-Anne is a housewife now who first got involved in racing in 1982.

She has raced in all formulas starting in Juniors when she was 13 back in 1983.

Jo-Ann gave up the sport for some years to travel with her husband but is returning this year in Novices driving a 503 craft.

Jo-Ann loves Hovercrafting and thinks that it's an all round great sport.

Tamsin Lucas
(Start Marshal)

Tamsin is a Nursery Nurse who started going to race meetings with her Mum when she was just 2 years old. Her mum was a flag marshal so when she was old enough Tamsin started as a muscle marshal. However as she was 'such rubbish' at moving anything heavy she soon moved to helping out on the grid, then last season she was talked into training as a start marshal by Charlotte.

Tamsin has never raced but loves hovercrafting because of the thrill you get just watching the amazing racing and the great people you meet. Tamsin's hovercrafting ambition is to one day be as good as Charlotte!

Annie Diffey
(Marshal Support)

Youth worker Annie discovered hover-crafting through Heather Black.

She has been coming to race meetings for about 8 years and has just started racing in Novices this season, where her greatest achievement is staying in the craft.

She particularly loves the transitions from land to water.

Her ambition is not to fall into the lake because she doesn't like fish.

Sam "Prickle" Keates
(Flag Marshal)

My first experience of Hover-craft racing was at the World Championships in the UK in 2000. I then "helped" my close friends "Team Drew" out in the paddock, but they soon realised my lack of skill knowledge & ability was more of a hindrance, so they kicked me out onto the course to help muscle marshal!

I have got more involved in recent years, and am now a regular on the course, waving flags or helping with water recovery. I have many years first aid experience and am a qualified life guard, both of which have been proved to be useful during race meets.

My day job is to support adults with Autism and Challenging Behaviour, so I am more than capable of dealing with the erratic nature of some of the hovercraft drivers! I love hovercraft racing because of the uniqueness of the sport and the friends I have made through the club!

Derek Smart
(Flag Marshal)

I've been involved with Hover-craft on and off for over 25 years.

I have raced from a tender age in Juniors and have competed in just about every formula including F1.

I have a wide experience of marshaling including Flag Marshal, Start Grid Marshal and water recovery.

I have spent the last couple of years away from hovercraft due to house buying and a career move but am looking forward to the 2010 season culminating in the World Championships and look forward to meeting old and new friends at race meetings this year.

Michelle Stead
(Flag Marshal)

Michelle first started coming to hovercraft racing in about 2001 when her dad bought a craft to race.

Eventually just watching the races wasn't enough so she started marshalling.

She has fond memories of her first marshalling experience at Whittlesey with Penny and Annie.

But maybe less fond memories of her first racing experience at Rother Valley where she "fell victim to moving trees!", ending up in Rotherham hospital for 7 hours with torn ligaments and a cracked knee cap. This explains why her hovercrafting ambition is to finish a race without an accident!

Jenny Newton
(Flag Marshal)

Jenny has been involved with hovercraft for 23 years, after her Dad, Franklin, bought a wooden F3 craft from the Brickles.

She has marshalled on and off for 15 years and LOVES it! Jenny drove in F503 for a couple of seasons and hopes to return to racing as soon as time and finances allow.

Hovercrafting is her family's shared passion, and after so many years in the sport many members of the club are like her extended family. She particularly likes the community spirit and that "if anyone is feeling down, there is always someone there to pick them up - sometimes literally after racing incidents!".

Jenny's ambition is to bring as many new members into the club as possible "keeping HCGB live & kicking well into the future!".

Lewis Diffey
(Flag Marshal)

Lewis started hover-crafting while he was working at Somerset Rural Youth Project where he built craft and raced with the Rural Racers young people as their "grumpy youth worker".

He has raced on and off ever since, last competing at the 2006 World Championships in France in the endurance race.

Lewis thinks the best part of hovercrafting is that everyone helps each other.

His ambitions are to become a fully-qualified flag marshal, and to see his wife Annie qualify as a fully licensed driver this year.

Natalie Cooper
(Flag Marshal)

Natalie, a student studying veterinary science, has been involved in hovercrafting for most of her life and has raced since she was 12, first in Juniors and then in F25/F35. Last year she won the F35 National Championship.

Natalie loves the atmosphere at race meetings and enjoys meeting up with the other hovercrafters throughout the season. She started marshalling as a muscle marshal and then trained to do flag marshalling, grid, and paddock. Maybe if she ran really fast she could do them all at once and the rest of us could have a cup of tea?!

Andy "Wiggy" Forbes
(Flag Marshal)

Andy first started hovercrafting with the Bradfield College racing team. He now mans the Vortex Services portable shop, and marshals when we can bully him into it.

His greatest hovercrafting achievement is probably jumping 4ft in the air, backwards, over catch netting, to avoid being hit by an on-coming hovercraft.

It's Andy's 30th birthday during the World Championships - Happy Birthday!

Gemma Hammond
(Flag Marshal)

Entertainment Team Leader

Gemma first saw hovercraft racing while visiting Rother Valley Park and immediately decided she wanted to be involved.

Gemma likes marshalling because it enables her to be part of every race and to get very close to the action.

She has been a passenger in an F1 craft driven by Matt Gill, but is still not tempted to swap the thrills of marshalling for driving.

She loves hovercrafting because it is "exciting, loud, dangerous, and very sociable".

Zoe Deacon
(Flag Marshal)

Zoe has raced since joining the school hovercrafting team in 1981. Her achievements include being the highest placed woman driver at the Weston Park World Championships, and meeting her husband in a gravel pit in Germany!

Zoe says that she loves everything about hovercrafting and it's a way of life she enjoys. Which is good as she doesn't have time for any other hobbies!

Adam Polfrey
(Flag Marshal)

I have been involved in hovercraft racing all my life. My dad has been racing for more than 26 years.

I've also been a flag marshal for 10 years as well as a racer.

I love the noise, smell, and the opportunity to let the red mist take over and give it everything.

Carla Thomas
(Flag Marshal)

I'd managed to avoid attending any races for years but finally gave in last year and loved every minute. I so wish that I'd gone earlier!!

I share a craft with Kevin and love driving it. The people are fantastic and the social side is loads of fun too.

My ambition is just to get round the course safely and skilfully!

Fay Smallwood
(Flag Marshal)

Communications Team Leader

Fay has been involved in racing since she was born. She doesn't race herself but loves the feeling of family being involved in racing and has a wide experience of marshaling.

Fay loves the social side of racing too where everyone is always willing to help out even though they've been fierce competitors on the course.

Mark Coles
(Flag Marshal)

Mark was born into hovercraft racing. He has been a Junior Champion and a World Champion.

He loves racing because it's fantastic and his main ambition is to be able to afford his own craft and not to have to borrow his dad's!

Gill Crane
(Flag Marshal)

Gill, who is a Stilton cheese-maker by profession, started coming to race meetings in 2007 with her then-partner and loved it so much she kept coming.

Be very nice to this marshal, she knows Tae Kwon Do!

Becky Cooper
(Flag Marshal)

I've been involved in racing for most of my 18 years!

I'm looking forward to entering both races at this exciting World Championship.

Chris Hodge
(Muscle Marshal)

Chris is a chef whose hobby is eating, which is convenient! He discovered hover-crafting when he was invited to Claydon by friends. Chris is not allowed to race in case he breaks himself, but enjoys the other aspects of the club "beer, food, and friends".

Garth Vaughan
(Muscle Marshal)

Garth first came to a race meeting with the Black family and has been addicted ever since.

He became a marshal because it is something productive to do with his time and because "getting involved with such a good crowd is great". Garth likes hovercraft racing because it is a unique sport and he appreciates the amount of skill it takes to drive well. He hopes to race one day.

Andrew Lumb
(Muscle Marshal)

Engineering Manager Andrew first discovered hovercraft through his fiancee Michelle.

He says he's marshalling to get a good understanding of the sport and is plucking up the courage to have a go himself.

He loves hovercrafting because it's fun and there's never a dull race. His ambition is to 'fly up the marshalling ranks and establish myself in the HCGB community'.

James Eddy
(Muscle Marshal)

James would normally be racing in Juniors with his school (Cullompton Comm. College) in their TZR powered F3 craft, but unfortunately will not be racing at WHC2010 due to "lack of a craft".

He started racing in 2009 and finished 6th in the UK as part of Cullompton A team. Not bad considering they missed quite a few meetings due to lack of craft.

Dennis Driscoll
(Muscle Marshal)

Dennis got involved through his girlfriend, now wife, who was racing in 1993 when he met her. He hasn't raced himself but enjoys being involved in the sport in other ways.

Enrico Badelt
(Muscle Marshal)

Enrico is from Germany and has been involved in hovercraft racing for many years. He is looking forward to meeting old and new friends at WHC2010.

Karen Ives
(Muscle Marshal)

Karen is a nursery nurse and volunteers with the Girl Guides. She first discovered hovercraft racing through friends a few years ago, and now she marshals because "orange brings out the colour of my eyes"!

Jo Spencer
(Muscle Marshal)

Jo got involved in racing through her partner Steve Terry and is racing as a novice at the moment.

Her ambition is to beat her other half in 2011!!

Kieran Cooksey
(Muscle Marshal)

Kieran started coming to race meetings in 2001 with his Aunt Julie!

He loves coming and seeing friends that he doesn't get the chance to see anywhere else.

Ian Yeomans
(Muscle Marshal)

Ian started coming to race meetings this year with his girlfriend Julie.

He's already made lots of new friends and really enjoys the social side of racing too.

Elliott Crane
(Muscle Marshal)

Elliott is a recent convert to hovercrafting, but not to motorsport in general as he also enjoys mini-moto racing. He says he loves hovercrafting because it's dangerous! We assume he means thrilling and not that he enjoys getting driven in to while marshalling!

Charles Mansfield
(Recovery)

Charles is an electrician whose other hobbies include waterskiing and diving.

Charles became involved in hovercraft racing when at Bradfield College. His racing achievements include being Junior Champion in 1994, although he got 'taken out' at the world championship in France by a German competitor and never got his nerve back.

Charles loves hovercraft racing because of the social side of the club but also the 'great crashes!'

He has no immediate hovercraft racing ambitions but would like to be able to come to more events and maybe race F35 or F503.

Jon Pert
(Recovery)

Jon was first introduced to hover-craft racing by Mark Talbot in 2003 and that's when he started racing for himself.

He won the UK Open Championship in 2004 and also received Best Newcomer in the same year.

Joe Seymour
(Recovery)

Tree surgeon Joe discovered hover-crafting through the Black family and became a marshal to find out more about the sport.

Eventually he would like to race. We will be keeping a close eye on drivers trying to sell Joe their 'one careful owner' craft.

Nigel Harris
(Recovery)

Nigel is an Outdoor Education Leader who discovered hover-crafting when he was invited along to help with recovery (this is what happens when you let people know that your hobby is off-roading!). Nigel hopes to race in the future, when he can get the craft running.

Paul Joyce
(Recovery)

Paul started hovercrafting when he was invited to man the recovery boat and he is now a multi-talented recovery driver, zooming about in 4x4s and on quad bikes.

Paul says he likes marshalling because he looks good in orange.

Charlie Peach
(Recovery)

Charlie has been involved with hovercraft since 1984, building two cyclones at school, and has been involved with the HCGB for ten years.

He has participated in racing, crusing, couple of tours on the rhone raid, comps, and as transport officer.

Charlie has been to every World Championship since Weston Park and is looking forward to the Worlds at Towcester. It should be a cracker.

Keith Oakley
(Technical - Web/Camera)

Technical Team Leader

Keith got involved with hovercraft in 1966 via an article in the Daily Express.

He has raced and came 2nd in the 1969 Championships at Skegness.

Hovercraft bring out the boffin in Keith. He's built craft and is now very involved in trying to create quieter craft.

Keith is the brains behind the web system and ensures that those who can't make it to a race meeting can see the action live over the internet.

Jim Lyne
(Technical - Web/Camera)

Jim is now retired but first started racing in 1970. Since then he's won many races but now prefers to be involved on the technical side of things.

Anita Oakley
(Technical - Web/Camera)

Anita has been involved with hover-craft since 1967 when she met, and fell in love with Keith, on the day that he joined the HCGB. She has raced in a 2-up race at Sherborne Castle in 1972.

Anita loves the friendship and common purpose found in hovercraft racing and is working with Keith towards creating quieter hovercraft.

Rebecca Taylor
(Technical - Web/Camera)

Rebecca wears the hi-viz yellow jacket with her camera always in her hand! You'll see her in many places on and around the course, capturing the action. She's been coming to races since she was 7 years old.

Jake Cooper
(Technical - Web/Camera)

Jake first discovered hovercrafting in the 1980s at the Boat Show in Earl's Court. He joined the club but other things got in the way! He rediscovered it at an event in North Wales where he really got the bug. Jake has raced many times and was the F35 National Champion in 2009.

He still enjoys the excitement of racing and his ambition is to not "plough in".

Sean Atterbury
(Technical - Web/Camera)

Sean hasn't ever raced yet but does have ambitions to become the F50 or F1X Champion in the future. He loves the racing and thinks that there is nothing on earth like it!

Terry Chapman
(Technical - Web/Camera)

Terry has raced since 1977 in several different formulae.

His most recent World Champs success was at the Berlin event where he came 2nd in F25.

These days he tries to fit in his own racing around supporting his son's racing activities and commentating for the American webcasts.

Terry says: "I enjoy the uniqueness of the sport, be it racing or cruising. Hovercrafting has opened many doors for my career, and also allowed me to be on Junkyard Wars (Scrapheap Challenge in the U.K.) in 2000 that was loads of fun.

I have also found that hovercrafts can be a tool to teach young people about setting goals, working hard, and being successful."

Graham Nutt
(Technical - Web/Camera)

Graham has been involved with Hover-craft since 1965 and has various accom-plishments under his belt. He was the UK F1 Champion two years running and has also won the European F1 Championships.

He's an engineer and is currently building a car. He's achieved most of his ambitions in Hovercraft racing but would like to do one more "Raid".

Paul Taylor
(Technical - Web/Camera)

Paul is one of the guys in the hi-viz yellow jacket with the camera! Often seen on his electric scooter riding around the course capturing the action. He used to race as part of a team with his daughters but is now happier with his camera.

Roger Drew
(Technical - Web/Camera)

Music teacher and ex-engineer Roger first discovered hovercrafting in 1974 when he saw racing hovercraft being unloaded from the cross-channel hover-craft. Over the years he has competed in many races and loves all of the technical challenges. He has passed on his love of hovercrafting (which he views as compulsory!) to his two sons who now race as Team Drew.

David Atkins
(Technical - Web/Camera)

David first discovered hovercraft at Centre Parc and then got involved with racing in 2009 at Gang Warily. He does race and owns and maintains his own craft. He loves the buzz you get from racing and wants to go faster and better!

He's particularly looking forward to watching his son Nils compete in the Junior Championship.

Ross Hammond
(Site Organiser)

Site Facilities Team Leader

Ross discovered hovercrafting back in 1987 with his family. He loves it because it's insane and wants to bring this sport to the masses!

Robert "Lou" Stevenson
(Site Organiser)

Robert is heavily involved in flying and hovercraft racing is an extension of this. He got involved with racing in 1978 and was joint 2nd in F3 in 1994.

Now he's happy to be involved in the organisational side of events.

John Adams
(Site Organiser)

Sylvia Stevenson
(Site Organiser)

Sylvia first got involved with hovercraft in 1978 through her husband Robert.

Sylvia doesn't race but does enjoy the meetings and helping with the organisation.

Tony Drake
(Site Organiser)

Tony is the President of the World Hovercraft Federation and has been involved in hovercrafting for over 30 years. He raced F1 for 28 years.

Roger Allman
(Site Organiser)

Roger has been involved in hovercraft racing for a number of years now.