Ferraris On Water

Three of the high-speed, mini-power boats, boasting a better power-to-weight ratio than a Ferrari F1 car, surged through the waves to launch this year's Littlehampton Regatta in spectacular style.

Zapcat racing will be a highlight of the town's annual celebration of its river and seaside on July 27 and 28, bringing a new, high octane sport, with television coverage to boost both the regatta and Littlehampton itself.

Euan McGrath, organiser of the Zapcat national races season, in which Littlehampton falls right at the half-way stage, was even more thrilled by the prospect of the event coming to the West Sussex resort after watching the demonstration.

"Littlehampton offers an awful lot of excitement, for everyone involved in the racing and for the spectators. It has great water, and a great event to run alongside, the regatta.

"If we can get a little bit of wind and surf, that will make it really spectacular. We will be racing close to the beach and this is going to be tremendous. The people of Littlehampton should definitely be coming to have a look at this.

"We've just had our first races at Bournemouth and it was phenomenal, the best racing of any kind I have ever seen around the UK. That's what Littlehampton has to look forward to in July."

Regatta chairman Mike Northeast was equally excited by the sight of the small inflatables bouncing through the waves and standing almost on end as they did the powerboating equivalent of a motorcycle wheelie.

"This is a dream come true, seeing them here in the water. You plan for these things for a long time in advance, but to see the real thing makes you realise just how spectacular it's going to be at the regatta.

"Being part of a national race series is great for Littlehampton, with all the television exposure that will give us. We are always looking for first at the regatta and we have not held back this time."

Littlehampton harbourmaster Colin Hitchcock first suggested inviting the Zacpats to the regatta after seeing them in South Africa, where they are a major sport.

Races take place on a short course around 20 yards offshore, and last just 10-15 minutes, with non-stop action, thrills and spills.

The Zapcat event will be on Saturday, July 27, with the traditional powerboat race the following day and a packed programme of events across the whole regatta weekend.