HOBSON PRAISES QUALITY OF RACING

GSS Mermaid pilot David Hobson was thrilled to get back among the medals at the Southampton Grand Prix of the Sea last weekend.

Hobson and co-pilot Kirsty Clark delighted friends, family and sponsors by powering to overall third place with an imperious performance on Southampton Water.

The pair shared the honour with current P1 SuperStock Championship 150 Class pacesetters, Grandstand Motor Sports, after collecting 29-points from two pulsating races on the sun-soaked south coast, and Hobson was quick to lavish praise on his co-pilot for her outstanding navigation.

“Kirsty’s navigating was amazing. Her role was critical in race two as she soaked up all of the pressure from Team Purple and ensured we held our positioning. She was absolutely superb!” said Hobson.

The Managing Director of Global Secure Systems Ltd has been extremely impressed by the standard of racing this season and argues that it has never been as exciting, or as competitive. He added: “The big crowds in Southampton were treated to some great racing. The calibre of the big field at the weekend shows the championship is going from strength-to-strength.

“The racing was ever-so close, especially going into turn one, where everyone was going flat out – it was great fun!

“Every team has upped its quality of boat preparation, hours of training, and it has spurred the drivers and navigators on to even higher standards of racing.”

Hobson and Clark now lie nine points behind race rivals, Eclipse, who are favourites to claim the end-of-season bronze medal. However, with 40 points on offer at the season-ending Lymington Grand Prix of the Sea on October 2nd, Hobson is optimistic of the team’s chances.

“It will take a lot to catch Rose but we’re going to give it our best shot,” said Hobson. “We’ve come on leaps and bounds over the course of the season and there a different challenge to deal with when we race in Lymington. It will be a bit lumpier than it was in Southampton so the racing will be even more exciting.”