3:44 PM Tue 27 Sep 2011 GMT
British RYA Circuit Powerboat Championships - Powerboat racing wonder kid, Ben Jelf, secured his second British powerboat racing title of 2011 last weekend (24/25 September) in the final rounds of the Championships becoming the 2011 British RYA JT250 Champion.
Run over four rounds throughout the season, the championship has seen eight youngsters challenge for the British title. Facing a variety of conditions at the different venues all the young competitors raced with dedication, promise and experience beyond their years.
Heading into the final weekend in the JT250 class just two points separated championship leader Teague Stroud (13, Lowestoft) and 2011 GT15 World Champion Ben Jelf (11, Maidstone). It was clear the battle would be intense and would go down to wire, with only one reigning victorious.
Jelf secured pole position with the fastest lap time in qualifying meaning only one point now separated the two young racers. With gusting winds present racing was taxing for the seven youngsters competing.
With three heats to complete Jelf secured the first win of the weekend but it was Tom Yallop (13, Beccles) that would secure the second and third heat wins to take the weekend win with Ben Jelf in second and Teague Stroud in third. With the results decided it was became a waiting game as the calculations were completed.
Second place meant Ben Jelf had done enough to secure another British RYA title, making the formidable 11 year World, European and twice British Champion for 2011!
'Teague and Thomas have pushed me every step of the way this season, it could just have easily been one of them that won the championship but I'm glad it was me! Everyone's raced really well. Teague had the lead on me going into this race but I knew if I focused there was the chance I could win', explained Ben.
'This win was for my Mum and Dad, the rest of Team Jelf Racing and my sponsor BS Marine Sport; without their support and guidance it wouldn't have been possible'
Ben and Team Jelf Racing's attentions now turn to Coniston Records week where he will look to complete the perfect season with a World Speed Record in the GT15 Class.
RYA Powerboat Racing Senior Administrator Nikki Drummond praised Ben's achievements: 'Ben's an astonishing young man at the age of just 11 he's achieved what many racers strive to achieve their whole racing careers. Not only has he retained his two British titles from 2010, he's also received international recognition off the highest level claiming both a World and European Powerboat title in just his third year of racing.
'There's only one way forward for Ben now and that's upwards! With the support he gets from his family and team as well as from the other competitors he's destined for great things within the sport. It's an honor to know such a fantastic young individual'
RYA website
by Emma Slater
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Casey, TAS
