FIVE MINUTES WITH NEIL HOLMES

Recently returning from the P1 USA production and development plant for the all new P1-28SS, we get five minutes to talk about the boat and hear exactly what's in store for UK racers this season. Will it be as spicy as the Hooters hot-wings? Well, let's hear what the seven times World Champion and P1 technical consultant has to say...

1.    What was the focus and target of the development phase?

We have now spent more than six weeks of rigorous development time tweaking the characteristics of the race boat to ensure that it performs at the highest level. Time was also spent on the ‘pleasure’ capability of the new boat to ensure that both aspects of the boat happily co-exist. A lot of effort has gone into making sure the transformation from racing to pleasure (and vice-versa) is easy and affordable. It was an amazing experience being at the US production and development facility and seeing the boats coming down the line ahead of the new season of racing.

2.    What is the most innovative feature on the boat?

Without doubt this is the engine lift feature. This will give a third set-up dimension (after trim and weight distribution) for pilots to consider and enhance the challenge of racing. P1 has been testing various solutions for this and it’s great that this new feature has been added to the boat. The test programme also focused on different steering systems and engine shaft lengths. The new data logger is also a very exciting feature, with onboard propeller slip calculator and many new features coming on line. These include engine trim and jack plate positioning and HP output reading and lap times all available for the pilot and navigator to absorb while racing.

3.    What news on the propeller?

We did an extensive amount of propeller testing and there is real interest from technical partners in the industry to support the programme. Given the fundamentals which underpin SuperStock’s one-design racing formula, it is certain that a single propeller brand and model will be chosen. P1 has also tightened up on the rules with regard to propellers, with each team required to purchase a designated ‘race propeller’ and a minimum of a ‘spare propeller’. The race prop will be retained by P1, securely stored on the race support truck, and issued to teams at the event for racing. This will stop teams trying to fiddle with it, but leave them the freedom to do training and use the boat in the meantime with the spare prop.

4.    How hard is to get the boat to the limit?

The new P1 Panther is a phenomenal race boat, although its dual purpose makes it easy to underestimate the racing pedigree. It has been very well designed and engineered from the start to do both. It is an easier and more driveable leisure boat as you start out but as you push it harder and faster it becomes more of a ‘driver’s machine’. Good drivers and co-drivers will learn how to gain more out of the boat thanks to the new engine lift, trim and weight distribution set-up.

5.    What about rough water vs flat water?

Absolutely! The boat has been designed and built for use on open water. It is tremendously well engineered. Structurally the boat is very strong and rough water racing will be a real thrill in this boat. Some additional rough water testing will be done in the UK off The Needles, and we all know how rough that can get - just ask anyone who was competing in the Lymington race last year.