Since 2001 Zapcat Racing has proved a phenomenal success, with the UK Zapcat National Championship establishing itself as the worlds largest one design championship and now celebrating its 10th Anniversary. The reasons for the sports’ success can be attributed to the foundations and ethics on which Zapcat Racing is based: Strict one design powerboat racing that is safe, affordable, fair and fun in challenging marine environments.
Due to strict one design nature of Zapat Racing, a level playing field is created across the sport. Unlike other smaller, expensive and often elitist classes of powerboat racing, with their need for multiple propellers and engine modifications. Most teams have one hull, one engine, two propellers and importantly one propeller guard … making the racing simple, safe and affordable!
The Zapcat Z-10 is the standard for all Zapcat Racing and will over the next few years be accompanied by the Zapcat EVO. We fit the Zapcat with a short shaft 50hp Tohatsu 2 stroke outboard engine that has been tailored for our sport with a few improvements and safety features developed by us at Zapcat Racing HQ. The strict one design ethos of the sport means that the costs remain within the reach of the many and not the few.
Skill and ability is the leveller of our highly competitive championship that takes place on flat water or in surf depending on the sea state and location. Nearly every championship to date has seen the Champion undecided until the last races of the year … something unheard of in other motor sports.
The skill and ability is the one thing we at Zapcat Racing continually seek to develop and challenge. From the provision of Race, Engine and Surf Clinics to educate and develop skills, through to the introduction of Divisions, additional competitions withing the Championship framework offering a continual challenge competitors.
As a sport, Zapcat Racings’ best ambassadors are our competitors and owners. Ownership is diverse does not do it justice, with competitors ranging in age from 16 to 55+ who are male or female, friends, brothers and sisters, fathers and sons, fathers and daughters, husbands and wives all from different back grounds who not only enjoy but almost live for their 7 months of racing each year.
It is not just the racing it is the venues, the support, rivalries, friendships, fun and the social scene.
It may sound to be good to be true but just ask one of our owners or for that matter us, and it will become clear why Zapcat Racing is the largest powerboat championship in the world!
Facts about Zapcats!
Zapcats are highly suited to the UK and European waters and are very easy to store when not in use. Weighing under 150kg including the 50hp out-board engine and accessories, they can be easily handled by two people.
- A power to weight ratio of 340bhp per tonne puts Zapcat firmly in super car territory.
- Capable of handling extremely rough seas and large surf.
- A wave large enough to break over the boat will not cause the boat to flood. The water runs straight out of the Zapcats open aluminium transom.
- Excellent fuel efficiency – due to its lightweight and tunnel boat design, a Zapcat is over 4 times more fuel-efficient than regular mono-hull powerboats and Jet skis.
- Easy to tow – only 270kg including trailer.
- The catamaran design keeps the boat stable whether stationary or at speed.
- Carry’s up to 5 individuals for recreational use or a payload of 850kg.
2010 Championship Titles
Points are awarded to each “Zapcat team” (Pilot & Co-pilot) that enters an official qualifying championship Grand Prix event.
Each Zapcat team has a unique race number irrespective of who crews the Zapcat in a particular GP.
Each weekend event comprises of two separate days or Rounds of the Championship and the combination of the two forms the GP.
Championship points are awarded from 1st to last place, the amount determined by the division that team races in on a particular day (Championship Round) and where their Zapcat finishes.
Points are still accrued even if their Zapcat after 5 heats of racing does not qualify for the Round final.
For 2010 we aim to have eight Grand Prix venues, so a 16 Round National Championship.
Zapcat competitors can win several individual titles and form part of a larger two or many boat team.
National Championship
Awarded to the team with the most points after 16 Rounds.
Rookie Champions
Newcomers to the sport having not raced in any previous events, Rookies can be an all male or all female or mixed crew combination.
Mixed Champions
Qualifying points will only be awarded to a male and female crew.
King of the Surf
Awarded to the Zapcat with most points from designated surf events. Two or more Surf GP events – 4 Rounds.
Team Championship
Awarded to the best two Zapcat team, teams must be formed and entered before the start of the first Round.
Home Nations
All Zapcat entries declare a loyalty to a National Flag (England, Scotland, Ireland or Wales) points scored at four nominated Home Nation GP qualifiers will determine the winners – 8 Rounds.
Celtic Cup
Awarded to the Zapcat with most points from Scottish, Welsh & Irish Grand Prix events.
City Championship
The Zapcat with most points from designated City GP events.
Services Championship
Open to serving Military or Civilian Zapcats e.g. RAF or Fire Service crews.
Entry Fees to the National Championships covers entry to all titles and competitions.
5 heats per Round over 16 Championship Rounds = 80 races excluding finals – more racing than any other class!
Want to Race?
Everything you need to join this incredible sport is outlined below:
- Over 18* Male or Female
- Been on a Zapcat Experience ? Go for a Zapcat test drive
- Own a Zapcat ? If not teams without crew or buy a new or second hand boat
- RYA Powerboat Level II certificate required for all pilots
- Apply for RYA Race Licence – Medical needed
- Attend Race Training sessions & Pre Season Race Clinics
*People of 16 can race when accompanied by someone over the age of 18 in the boat and with parental consent.
Racing Costs
Zapcat racing is very affordable, particularly when compared to other powerboat classes and for that matter motor sport as a whole.
Below is a summary of the costs you can expect to incur in entering the 2010 Zapcat National Championship.
- 2010 Entry Fees for the Season £1300 inc VAT*
- 2010 RYA Race Licence per person £265
- Accommodation – your choice from camping to 5 star but we usually find a deal
- Race Fuel & Oil for the weekend less than £75
- Boat purchase from £4000 (secondhand)
- PPE Wetsuits from £60, Helmet £50, Race Life Jacket £210
- Maintenance £200 plus (per annum)
*Per Team Per Weekend rate £200.00 (Save £300 by paying entry fees in full)
2010 Race Calendar
| Day | Date | Mon | Zapcat Racing Event Type | Location | Rd | Flag | Titles |
| Fri | 23 | Apr | Pre Season Final Practice | Fistral Beach | |||
| Sat | 24 | Apr | Blue Chip Newquay Zapcat GP | Fistral Beach | 1 | All, KoS, HN | |
| Sun | 25 | Apr | Blue Chip Newquay Zapcat GP | Fistral Beach | 2 | All, KoS, HN | |
| Sat | 22 | May | Provisional Date | TBA | 3 | All, Cc, HN | |
| Sun | 23 | May | Provisional Date | TBA | 4 | All, Cc, HN | |
| Sat | 5 | Jun | Belfast Maritime Festival |
River Lagan | 5 | All,Cc, HN, Cel | |
| Sun | 6 | Jun | Belfast Maritime Festival |
River Lagan | 6 | All, Cc, HN, Cel | |
| Sat | 19 | Jun | Provisional Date | TBC | |||
| Sun | 20 | Jun | Provisional Date | TBC | |||
| Sat | 3 | Jul | Edinburgh Zapcat Racing GP | Leith Docks | All, HN, Cc, Cel | ||
| Sun | 4 | Jul | Edinburgh Zapcat Racing GP | Leith Docks | All, HN, Cc, Cel | ||
| Sat | 24 | Jul | Provisional Date | TBC | |||
| Sun | 25 | Jul | Provisional Date | TBC | |||
| Sat | 7 | Aug | Barry Island Zapcat Racing GP | Barry | All, HN, Cel | ||
| Sun | 8 | Aug | Barry Island Zapcat Racing GP | Barry | All, HN, Cel | ||
| Sat | 21 | Aug | Aberdeen City Zapcat Racing GP | Aberdeen | All, HN, Cc, Cel | ||
| Sun | 22 | Aug | Aberdeen City Zapcat Racing GP | Aberdeen | All, HN, Cc, Cel | ||
| Sat | 18 | Sep | Provisional Date | TBA | All, HN, Cel | ||
| Sun | 19 | Sep | Provisional Date | TBA | All, HN, Cel | ||
| Fri | 8 | Oct | Provisional Date Revision | TBC | All, KoS, HN | ||
| Sat | 9 | Oct | Provisional Date Revision | TBC | All, KoS, HN | ||
| Sat | 9 | Oct | 10th Anniversary Party & Awards | TBC | |||
| Sat | 11 | Dec | Christmas Party | TBC | |||
| Some Provisonals may be removed | |||||||
| All | Nat, Mix, Team, Rookie & Services | Qualifiers | |||||
| KoS | King of the Surf | Rounds | |||||
| HN | Home Nations | Venue | |||||
| Cc | City Championships | Rounds | |||||
| Cel | Celtic Cup | Rounds |
For more information please visit the ZapCat Racing website
