Date Added: 2007-12-18

It was announced today that the Honda Formula 4-Stroke Powerboat Series (F4SA) would once again team up with the Lowestoft Air Festival to create a four-day summer extravaganza.

The Honda Formula 4 Stroke Association announced they would return to the country's most easterly resort in July as a result of the huge success made by the series in the town in 2006, with nearly 350,000 people gathering to the seafront to watch the UK’s largest Powerboat series in conjunction with the Lowestoft Air Festival.

Last year's Honda F4SA Powerboat grand prix was estimated to have produced in the region of £2m for the tourism industry, not to mention the air festivals contribution of about £11m which ploughs into the area's economy each year.

The 2008 event will see the Honda F4SA series take to the seas on the 26 and 27 July. Spectators can look forward to watching the action from the promenade where the F4SA organisers plan to give the crowds some of the best action racing to hit the UK yet.

The announcement, made in Lowestoft today, was given to the speculating media moments after talks had been made between Honda F4SA officials and air festival organisers. Local radio stations and TV eagerly awaited the end of the meeting held at the Lings Honda dealership.

Air festival managing director Paul Bayfield said: “I am thrilled. It was quite dramatic; there were a lot of talks and phone calls before they came back with the news that we are green to go.

“It should mean some good financial rewards for the air festival. We've got a four-day event to sell to sponsors and advertisers rather than two days.”

Due to bad weather on the first day this year's event got off to a leisurely start. A disappointing attendance of 90,000 was the result of the miserable summer that plagued the UK, but by the second day sunshine rescued the event and with it brought a further 80,000 to the seafront.

Lowestoft beach has already proved to make the perfect seaside stadium for the Honda F4SA series. This year saw an estimated 75-80,000 spectators watch the two day race event as the teams proved to keep the attention of the crowds firmly fixed on sea level.

Abbie James, spokeswoman for the Honda Formula 4 Stroke series, said she was sure powerboat racing in Lowestoft would become a permanent fixture.

“Because of the success of the event in July, we would be foolish not to come back. There's a lot of potential in this area,” she added.

Lowestoft-based team and 150hp Championship Winners of 2007 Lings Honda have firm plans to kick it up a gear in the 225hp class of the series. They won the overall series and took possession of their new 225hp boat yesterday which sits pride of place inside the Lings dealership awaiting new branding.

To find out more about the air show, visit www.lowestoftairfestival.co.uk