Diary
Life in the fast lane.
11 Aug 2008
Forgive me for not writing more often, but life in the fast line has been very fast recently!My Powerboat P1 career started brilliantly as Nigel Hook my team owner and throttleman and I took 1st place in the Italian Grand Prix. It was truly amazing as 1 hour before the start of the race I was having a few nervous tears and was not sure I could cope with the big leap I had taken into the Evolution class of the World Championships. The season has been tough racing in extreme conditions all over the world, and a lot of the boats and teams are suffering with mechanical problems and breakages and I am afraid we are one of them. But team Lucas Oil have proved we are contenders for the title and we are always in the top 3 when the boat is running. We are half way through the season and all is to play for!
I am loving it - the big jump into the Evolution class was the best move I made. Nigel and I make an excellent team and I have proved I can drive at 110mph with the best of them. The rest of my all male competitors have accepted me with open arms and often congratulated me - which is something I am not use to.
Apart from racing I have been up to all sorts of things. I have a new updated web site, many thanks to Wight 365 who sponsor me for that. The web site is updated very quickly after each event with all the thrills and spills, great photographs, and excellent film footage from the races thanks to my team manager Janet. Take a look when you have a moment in videos.
One of my latest challenges has been co-presenting the new H2O Radio Show on BBC Radio Solent with Sir Robin Knox Johnston. A weekly show on a Friday evening and what a laugh that has been and we have actually gone to the top of the class for having the 2nd most listened to podcast in the country - not bad for 2 novice presenters. We have met some amazing people and I recently I got to drive the Red Funnel - Eagle and the Red Jet 4. For those who are not local to Southampton one is the very big car ferry and the other is the high speed passenger ferry that goes from Southampton to Cowes. Brilliant and really made me quite nervous, I needed a sit down afterwards. Check the gallery for photo evidence. I have also had my first experience of Sailing racing at Skandia Cowes week on board nothing less than a Clipper 68 - Liverpool which has just completed the Clipper 07-08 Round the World Yacht Race. Not sure I am converted though!
I am still enjoying lots of charity work too, I get asked to do so many things, I try to do as much as I can but I need a 9 day week. A new venture is with Sainsburys Hedge End in the Community. - Active Kids, I am going to be there new sports personality - so keep a watch on the web site to see what I get up to there!
Back to powerboat racing at the end of August for the Classic -Cowes Torquay Cowes Race where I will be driving an a very famous classic powerboat called GEE - built in 1967 land ovingly restored by her owner Chris Clayton who then completed in the Round Britain Race in June with her. September 12th Vigo, Spain for the next round in the P1 World Championships. Apart from all the above I will attempt to go to work as well and do my day job of selling wedding dresses.
As always - thank-you so much everyone for your support, without you I would not be leading this crazy but wonderful life!
Speak soon and Jon and I will keep the web site updated with all the news and photographs.
Best Wishes
Shelley x
