---

Could this be the future of the Round the Island race?

Low-cost, twin hulled inflatable boats known as Thundercats have revolutionized off-shore powerboat racing around the world.

Now they will feature in Bermuda's big race for the first time, with three on the start line for Sunday's event.

Organisers believe the new class will bring more competitors into the sport and help rebuild Round the Island as one of our premier sporting showpieces.

Brian Lightbourne, who brought all three Thundercats to the island, said the tiny boats, which weigh less than 300lbs, are propelled through the water by a 50 horsepower engine at speeds of up to 55mph.

There are no seats and they are steered by an old-fashioned tiller with captain and crew strapped into position as the boat bounces through the surf.

"It's pretty extreme," admits Lightbourne.

"When you first start driving them your initial reaction is that they accelerate incredibly fast. The G-force is something else and the tiller means you can turn them on a dime.

"That's your first reaction. After a while you just want to go faster. I prefer the rough water. It's more exciting."

Lightbourne, 41, a plumber who also runs his own business Challenger Marine, brought three Thundercats to the island last year. He sold two and will race the third with his brother Mark on Sunday.

He hopes to bring in more of the boats and ultimately develop Thundercats as the premier class in powerboating.

"It's huge in South Africa and Australia. It would be great to get a few more local guys racing and eventually bring in some of those overseas guys to compete.

"I am sure this will take off in Bermuda. It's affordable and it's fun. It requires a high level of fitness but I think the motocross guys would be right into it."

The Round-the-Island race, which used to attract up to 50 boats and see thousands of spectators line the shore to watch or tuning into live radio commentary has been in decline for years. Numbers have dwindled as the cost of racing escalated.

But the Thundercats offer an opportunity for new racers to get involved.

Two weeks ago 32-year-old Jonathan Gaugain didn't even own a boat. On Sunday he'll go round the island for the first time.

"I think every guy wants to race scramblers or powerboats or fly planes or whatever.

"I've always wanted to race but I've never been able to afford it. When I saw I could get involved for so little money I thought 'yeah, I'll take that'."

He recruited his friend Luis Vieira, 24, as crew and started practicing.

"We are just trying to get around this year. I think we will finish and then we will build on that next year," said Gaugain who was taking his boat for a test run around the island yesterday.

"I was a little nervous when I first tried out the boat but we're getting used to it now. It's awesome."

The Thundercats will be first to depart from Ferry Reach on Sunday, theoretically giving them an equal chance at line honours.

Start Times

Jet-Skis - 12pm

Thundercats - 1:55pm

A-Class - 2pm

D-Class - 2:05pm

FB Class - 2:07pm

D Stock Class - 2:08pm

Class d Mod - 2:12pm

Class C -2.15pm

Class S/P - 2.22pm

Entry List

Jet-skis - 12pm

Dorann Simons

Jonathan Cumberbatch

Scott Barnes

Vermondel Virgil

Fernando Sousa

Jermaine Richardson

Chris Roque

Thundercats - 1:55pm

Patrick Stamper/Roger Simmons

Brian Lightbourne/Mark Lightbourne

Jonathan Guagain/Luis Vieira

A-Class - 2pm

Darius Zuill/Jeff Willoughby

Curt Selley/Reid Selley

D-Class - 2.05pm

Chad Sutherland/EJ Carreiro

FB Class - 2:07pm

Matthew White/Dennis Trott

Steven Bridges/Shawn Butterfield

D Stock Class - 2:08pm

Brian Smith/Nick Lindo

Chris Wells/Graham Sutherland

Jermaine Butterfield/Clevie Maybury

Philip Correia/Perry DeSilva

Steven Eversley/Brandon Frank

Class D Mod - 2:12pm

David Selley/Jordan Fletcher

Shayne Furbert/Maurice Furbert

Mark Selley/Jordan Every

Stephen DeSilva/Brandon DeSilva

Class C -2:15pm

T Rawlins/Damon Simons

Class S/P - 2:22pm

Anthony Stoneham/Andy Stoneham

Kimwandae Walker/Richard Correia

[[In-content Ad]]

---