Championship History

In 1999 Honda launched its first large scale outboard engine, the 4-stroke BF130. At the time the common belief was that a 4-stroke engine could not match the output of a 2-stroke. Honda decided that the best way to prove the performance of its new engine was to race it.

Soichiro Honda said in the late 1950s that "if Honda does not race, there is no Honda". With this is mind Honda sought in vain for a suitable arena within which to race the BF130 before deciding to create his own. Thus, the Honda Formula 4-Stroke Powerboat Series was born.

With the help of seven times Class 1 World Powerboat champion Steve Curtis, Honda set about creating a championship, which would fundamentally change powerboat racing in the UK. The Honda Formula 4-Stroke series was created to be strictly one design. All engines and boats are identical, with modifications to both being strictly forbidden. This keeps costs down and allows the talent of the drivers and navigators to decide the results.

The inaugural race was contested at a stormy Torquay on Saturday May 29, 1999. Five two-person crews bravely took to the water amidst thunder, lightning, hail and high winds. Proving the potential of the series, this five-strong fleet grew into eight boats for 2000, resulting in Channel 4 putting powerboat racing back on terrestrial TV for the first time in over a decade.

In 2002 the series expanded further with the introduction of a new racing class for competitors to graduate into. Three prototype race boats featuring Honda's largest ever-marine engine, the mighty BF225, raced alongside the then 15-strong 130hp fleet. The championship's standing as the world's largest offshore powerboat racing series was confirmed.

The new position of the series resulted in the formation of the Formula 4-Stroke Association to organise dedicated Honda Formula 4-Stroke Grand Prix Weekends. 2004 saw the upgrade of the 130hp series to incorporate Honda's new BF150 engine and, in 2005, 15 150hp teams and 12 225hp teams battled it out at five exciting race locations around the UK.

Grand Prix weekends not only feature two races from each class but also a number of additional onshore activities including corporate hospitality. New venues are introduced year on year with 2006 incorporating two new fantastic new locations, Newcastle and Cowes.

Honda Formula 4 - Stroke really is the embodiment of Honda's 'Power of Dreams' philosophy!