Jelf Breaks 40-Year Powerboat Record at Oulton Broad

Boating News | May 2025

Historic Record Falls at Oulton Broad

Kent’s Ben Jelf has rewritten the history books, breaking a long-standing lap record at the historic Lowestoft & Oulton Broad Motor Boat Club.

The 24-year-old powerboat racer from Maidstone seized the chance to compete in the opening round of the 2025 Club Powerboat Championship ahead of his F1H2O campaign in Indonesia. With his Formula 1 DAC Powerboat temporarily back in the UK, Jelf and his F1 Atlantic Team used the event to test upgrades made during the championship’s delayed start.

Beating the Legacy of Tom Percival

The record to beat—27.78 seconds—was set in 1984 by the legendary Tom Percival. Despite near misses over the years, including Jelf’s own 27.94-second lap in 2023, Percival’s time had remained unbeaten for over four decades.

Crowds gathered at Nicholas Everitt Park to witness the high-stakes attempt. As Jelf pushed through his heats, lap times began to tumble. By the tenth lap, he matched his previous best. Just two laps later, the record was eclipsed with a 27.46-second lap, greeted by cheers from onlookers.

A New Benchmark in British Powerboat Racing

Not stopping there, Jelf went on to better his own time during heat two, posting a blistering 27.14-second lap—setting a new outright record for the club.

Reflecting on the achievement, Jelf paid tribute to Percival:

“Tom Percival was a fantastic racer. I grew up hearing stories about him. His record stood for 40 years for a reason. It took everything to beat it and I’m over the moon. It’s a great feeling to be the fastest ever at such a historic venue.”

Jelf returns to the water over the Bank Holiday weekend with more races scheduled. If conditions hold, there’s every chance he’ll push the lap time even lower.

Find out more about Jelf Racing here.