Isle of Wight-based championship-winning powerboat, H400 Thunderstreak, is preparing for what could be her final offshore race season for Team: Royal Yacht Squadron.

2024 promises a 'hectic' programme of races for its crew, who were named UK offshore powerboat-racing class champions in 2023 and 2022.

Cowes-based Hugo Peel, who is the owner and driver, along with Richard Jessel, navigator and strategy, Adrian de Ferranti, throttles and trim, and skipper, John Simmonds, will again be out on the water this year, on their 1963 Bertram.

They won five trophies and class awards at the 2023 Cowes-Poole-Cowes race.

Thunderstreak has been undergoing a refit, to improve reliability, structural strength and speed. 

Richard Jessel said: “Racing is largely about finishing and that demands near 100 per cent reliability.

"H400/Thunderstreak is stronger now than the day she left Bertram Yachts boatyard, in 1963.”

The team says this might be Thunderstreak’s final race-season for Team:RYS, as she might be put up for sale in the autumn.

"Thunderstreak is a competitive, proven championship class-winner. Perhaps it is time for new young team to continue her success?," said Hugo.

“We thought 2023 would be our last, but we all decided to give it one final hurrah!”