Aching necks, backs, chins (it'll make sense later on) and pretty much everywhere else today following a day of racing above in Lanesborough in County Roscommon. Why? ...well, it was round 6 of the ISA P750 National Championships. We had 2 boats and crews already committed to running powerboat demos at the SeaSessions festival in Bundoran, so t'was up to the A-Team to go and carry the flag at the racing. Wind was really blowing stink right up the lake and on to the race course so the F2 and F4 fleet were forced to stay on their trailers ...leaving it to the T850 (monohulls) and P750 (Thundercats) to hit the water. Great location for a race, and a decent enough crowd on the shoreline. Not too sure about the results of the T850 class, but Denis Dillon and his daughter - Laura - took the honours in P750. Your editor was piloting our club boat with Ellen Danagher up front, so I think meself and Denis were attempting to start a 'masters' class (despite others constantly referring to it as a 'fat feckers' class). I had the beating of the bugger too in the first race (but only because he lost sight of a buoy and when he turned in for it, we squeezed through). Result, second place in race 1. Race 2 was looking like a re-run until the upwind mark on lap 6 when I splashed in (in my defence I thought I'd spotted a really nice fishy and not having a rod or a net I'd no option than to get in for a closer look). The resultant deceleration saw Ellen whack her chin off the nose-cone leaving her with a lovely bruise and a great badge of honour. This took her out of the final race, but Liam Keogh stepped up to fill her boots (tight fit!) and we came home third. Should have some photos from the racing in a day or two.

Few other updates: The guys are on there way back from Bundoran as I type, so we'll try and get a report and some piccies once they've dried out (in the alcohol sense - so that could take a while). Next Saturday is the start of serious training - we're going to really start putting the nautical miles under the hulls now, so time to get fit. We'll also have three newbies join us on the day.

Think you've got what it takes? Think you could you pilot a Thundercat (P750) through 20+ feet of breaking surf in a race? Fancy racing in National, European and World Championships? If you answered 'yes', then your country needs you right now! If you love the sea and want to race powerboats in their rawest form, then get in touch with us here at Thundercat HQ. No previous experience necessary - training provided. Senses of humour and adventure recommended.

Yes, 'tis true - we're on a big drive at the moment to try and recruit new crews. We've expanded our fleet, we're working on a really great training course and there's some great racing over the coming months - eg: ISA P750 National Championship racing in Ardmore, Youghal, Lough Ree, Killaloe; International racing on the Isle of White (at an extreme sports festival); demo at SeaSessions in Bundoran; training every weekend. So, if it's some new adventure you're seeking then get in touch. Contact details can be found by clicking here.