Ben Jelf – Kent Powerboat Racer secures 17th British Title

Ben Jelf (24) a garage mechanic from Kent this weekend secured his 17th British Championship powerboat title. Jelf who is competing in the F1H2O World Championship was asked to drive the newly built Tintorera Racing GT30 Hull.

Heading to the British Sprint Championship at Stewartby Powerboat Racing Club in Bedford Ben was looking forward to really testing the boat and seeing what it was capable of.

The British Sprint Championship is a standalone event raced over one weekend that sees the drivers compete in Qualifying and then over four heats to determine the champion.

Working closely with boat builder Stuart Atlee following the recent test session. The team were ready to challenge for the Sprint Championship. The first challenge of the weekend was Qualifying against Jonny Brewer and Mason Jessup the challenge was on.

As the session got underway the prop choice just wasn’t up to the pace, and as they came in for a Prop change it got stuck on the prop shaft. The team had a fight on their hands to release the prop and head back out for the final few minutes of the session. It was all Ben needed and he secured Pole position with over a second and a half lead over second place.

From there the team focused on Heat 1 where from Pole position Ben put in a commanding position to claim the chequered flag. A faultless performance from Jelf throughout the following three heats saw Ben claim his 17th British Championship Title and a first British Title for the new Tintorera Racing Hull.

On the win Ben had this to say “If at the beginning of the year you’
have told me I would have won my 17th Title this year I’d have called anyone a liar. The team are so busy with competing in F1H2O World Championship. We had put the British Championships on the back burner.”

He continued “It’s a great honour to have been asked by Stuart to race his boat and prove that it’s a Championship winning design. My Grandfather Ted raced the number 17 so the number has special meaning to me. So to have claimed my 17th British Title this weekend i’m over the moon. Thank you to Tintorera Racing. Stuart Atlee and all my team and sponsors for their continuing support.”

Ben’s attentions now turn to the next F1H2O World Championship race in Shanghai in October. Whilst Tintorera Racing now focus on seat time for Driver Jamie Atlee in the hopes of chasing the World Championship crown in 2025.