Powerboat P1 Management Ltd, rights holders to the P1 SuperStock Championship, is strengthening its marine motorsports platform by launching a new P1 RIB Championship.

Aiming to attract the best RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat) pilots and works teams in the industry, the P1 RIB Championship will be one of the most competitive series on the water. This grass roots level of powerboating will deliver exciting, close-proximity racing during P1's televised Grand Prix of the Sea events initially in the UK and Ireland.

Powerboat P1 is actively seeking teams from all sectors of the industry including works teams from RIB manufacturers, powerboat training schools, powerboat and marina clubs, offshore RIB racing teams and even Sea Scouts, the Armed Forces and yacht tender crews. However, entry is not limited to the professional sector as the championship is also open to RIB owners and enthusiasts who have a powerboat racing licence.

The championship is designed to promote close proximity racing on circuits just over two nautical miles in length with three classes of RIB racing at the same time.

Provisional rules have been prepared by P1 in conjunction with the RYA. They currently allow for three classes:

Racing will take place on two events in 2010 at Southampton Boat Show (12 September) and Lymington (1-2 October). In 2011, five events are planned to coincide with the P1 SuperStock race calendar.

Asif Rangoonwala, chairman of Powerboat P1, said: "The P1 RIB Championship will be fiercely contested amongst the professional crews, but our aim is also to make it accessible to the vast numbers of RIB owners on the water.

"Our rules have been approved by the RYA and they will be submitted to the UIM at its annual general meeting in November with our aim being to roll out this series internationally.

"Our approach is to combine the format of traditional RIB rallies and integrate this with our close-to-shore circuits and large crowds to create an exciting and credible international championship."

Up to 20 crews will compete for prize money for overall end-of-season class winners and timepieces produced by Maurice Lacroix, Powerboat P1's official timing partner, worth £2,500 for the class-winning RIB at each event.

For further details of team entry please contact Powerboat P1 Management Ltd by emailing jonathan.walls@powerboatp1.com