Skip to content

'Racing in a 120mph powerboat feels like flying'

Jelf Racing Powerboat racer Ben Jelf wearing a red, white and blue top while smiling at the camera. He is sat on the right side of his boat, which is on landJelf Racing
Ben Jelf is the only British driver in F1H2O, the elite level of powerboat racing

In the MOT bay of a garage in Chatham, Kent, Ben Jelf is chatting while doing diagnostics on an engine and inspecting the underside of a 2002 Toyota.

"It's hard to describe unless you've experienced it," he says. "It's like flying but being in a boat, because we're only a few inches from the water, just skimming past."

He is talking about his other life as an F1H2O driver, the elite level of powerboat racing, in which carbon fibre boats travel at average speeds of 120mph (193kmh) and can be sent skyward by an errant wave.

"You try and put to the back of your mind what could go wrong," he says.

Jelf Racing A red and white powerboat on grey water. The boat has a Union Jack on the topJelf Racing
The boats are 360 horsepower, weigh around 500kg and frequently average 120mph around the courses

"I've yet to have a big accident in F1. I've had accidents in the lower classes, I think it helps you know where the limits are of your boat," he added.

The Jelf family is synonymous with British powerboat racing. Ben's grandfather raced, his father Colin was the first person to win F2 three times in a row in 2008, and his uncle also raced F1.

This season has taken Ben to Indonesia, Vietnam, Italy, and China, and although there are sponsors, the majority of funding comes from the garage run by his family.

Jelf Racing Ben Jelf in the driver's seat of the boat, next to his father Colin, who is standing on the boat's left wingJelf Racing
Ben Jelf in the driver's seat of the boat, next to his father Colin, a legend of the sport who won three F2 world titles in a row

In October, there were back-to-back fixtures in China just two weeks apart.

"We had to come back in between those races just to get some work flowing through to make sure we have enough money for the next race," Ben said.

A man in a blue cap and shirt looking at the front wheels of a blue car, which is raised up
Although his team has sponsors, most of Ben's racing is funded by the work he does at the Chatham garage run by his family

This is his second full season at the top level, one of two drivers for the F1 Atlantic Team, and he is currently ninth in the Championship with one race to go.

The final race of season, in the UAE, starts on 6 December.

Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, on X and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected] or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.

More on this story
Related internet links