Hovercraft Club of Great Britain

South East Branch Cruise
2019-07-27 08:00 - 2019-07-28 17:00 (Europe/London) | Long Reach Jet Ski Club in Iwade, Kent., Long Reach Jet Ski Club, Iwade, United Kingdom
Potential cruise time and location to be confirmed. Contact organiser for more details

Towcester Race Meeting 2
2019-07-20 - 2019-07-21 | Towcester Racecourse, Towcester Racecourse, London Road, Towcester, Northamptonshire, NN12 6LB, United Kingdom

Council Meeting
2019-07-13, 2019-04-13, 2019-01-26

Towcester Race Meeting 1
2019-07-06 - 2019-07-07 | Towcester Racecourse, Towcester Racecourse, London Road, Towcester, Northamptonshire, NN12 6LB, United Kingdom

South East Branch Cruise
2019-06-22 08:00 - 2019-06-23 17:00 | Long Reach Jet Ski Club in Iwade, Kent., Long Reach Jet Ski Club, Iwade, United Kingdom
Potential social cruise time and location to be confirmed. Contact organiser for more details

Tarcento Italy - European Race Meeting
2019-06-22 - 2019-06-23 | Tarcento, Italy, Tarcento, Italy

Possible Race Meeting
2019-06-22 - 2019-06-23
HOVERCRAFT RACING
It’s fast and exciting both to participate in and to watch.
“The Most Fun You Can Have With An Engine!” Jeremy Clarkson, Top Gear.
The Hovercraft Club of Great Britain organises a national racing championship, contested over six to eight racing meetings around the country each year. These meetings are usually held over a weekend or bank holiday weekend and take place up and down the UK, courses made up of both land and water sections.
During a racing weekend there will be a set of practices each morning and one or two blocks of racing in the afternoon. As part of the weekend members of the public will be invited into the paddock (pits) to take a look at the hovercraft and have a chat to the drivers, mechanics and families.
Hovercraft Racing is a very family friendly sport with many roles to keep all the family happy, such as Marshalling, Mechanics, Spectators and Racers! In recent years the Junior formula has grown from strength to strength, a great sign for the future of the club.
Typical day

Drivers’ Briefing
Practice
Break (Paddock open to the public)
Racing – Set 1
Lunch (Paddock open to the public)
Racing – Set 2
UPCOMING EVENTS18 Aug 20262026 – WORLD HOVERCRAFT CHAMPIONSHIPS – WHITTLEBURY !Whittlebury Hall, , Google Map26 Sep 2026HCGB Whittlebury2 Race Meeting – 2026HCGB Whittlebury2 Race Meeting – 2026, , Google Map01 May 2027Provisional Race Meeting – 2027Provisional Race Meeting – 2027, , Google Map WHY JOIN?Member benefits

Participation in events
eMagazine
Local branch meetings and events
Reduced site fees at events
Driver licensing
Hovercraft registration
Members only Facebook forum
CLUB ROLESTV / TechnicalTV / TechnicalCraft RecoveryCraft RecoveryScrutineersScrutineersRace ControlRace ControlMarshalMarshalMechanicMechanicRacerRacerSpectatorSpectator RACING FORMULASFormula 1Formula 2Formula 3Formula 35Formula 50OpenJuniorNovice Formula 1 Hovercraft are the fastest and most exhilarating out there on the course!
It requires great skill to race one of these machines! Normally with 2 engines, one for lift and one for thrust. They have upwards of 160hp thrust which are normally 2 stroke snowmobile engines! Although. you will find some that have 200+hp if you have deep pockets to buy them and keep them maintained. The top craft can achieve 0-60 in under 4 seconds over land and water, with speeds that can reach over 80mph.
Under the current regulations neither novice or juniors are allowed to race them.
No hovercraft have brakes!
Hovercraft in Formula 1 are not limited by capacity or horsepower, meaning effective power to weight ratio is essential. Formula 2 in recent years has proved to be a competitive formula with both integrated and twin engine hovercraft competing against each other. An integrated craft is a single engine craft that provides both lift and thrust.
At the 2016 World Championships there were 26 formula 2 craft in the field, so with some very tight close racing there isn’t always space to manoeuvre away from the thrust air in front of you.
Their top speeds are touching 70mph and although don’t accelerate as quick as the F1’s, around some of the courses will give some of them a run for their money.
Formula 2 racing craft are limited to 750cc 4 stroke or 600cc 2 stroke. Juniors are not allowed to race these craft. Formula 3 racing hovercraft are restricted to 250cc 2 stroke or 500cc 4 stroke. Formula 3 craft are often lightweight and powered by motorbike engines. It is a competitive formula suitable for an entry level hovercraft which could also be used in the UK Junior Championship.
Formula 35 racing hovercraft are limited to a combined horsepower of no more than 35hp. Engines are light industrial 4 strokes which are quieter and more fuel efficient than any of the other formulas. F35 can be used as a junior craft and many are also suitable for using as cruising craft making them a great all rounder. More and more F35 craft are being built and raced each year, an exciting and upcoming formula.
Formula 50 is limited to a single fan and a Rotax 503 engine (variants also accepted). The engines must be standard but the hull itself can be anything with a single fan. Formula 50 is a very tightly contested formula providing great racing both to watch and participate.
Open races are just as serious as the main formula but add a bit of fun for the racers. It is open to all craft except Novice and Juniors.
You would think that the F1’s would walk away with everything but this is not always the case as it’s not all about acceleration and speed. It’s also about reliability and at the end of the year when the points have been totalled up Formula 50 and Formula 2 hovercraft tend to dominate this formula.
A Junior Racer is between 11 years and 16 years old. To race you need to have passed a handling test and verbal questioning of the understanding of the racing rules. At each race meeting you get to practice the course and if you are confident enough you race other juniors in a normal length race twice a day. You will have sessions with an experienced young adult racer to mentor you through the season. Racing as a junior is friendly, you always apologise for impeding another racer and you help each other out if you can. Your engine power needs to be limited and you are also limited as to which engines you can use. Essentially they are either Formula 3, Formula 50 or Formula 35 engines craft.
Novice racer, you can be 16 to 61 plus, usually you are a complete novice but sometimes you are up against returning drivers whose licence has lapsed. You must have passed a manoeuvrability test and answered questions on the racing rules and procedures. You get a practice session to learn the course and two races a day. Each race is 10 minutes plus a lap. You can use any type of craft except formula 1. You need two good seasons after completing Novices in a fast craft before you can upgrade. To complete your novice racing you need to complete 15 races in two seasons, marshal 10 races, and have your last 5 races reviewed by the Race Director and if he is satisfied you are given your full licence and can move up into the formula your craft is built for.
Register Now
Join the Club by clicking on the button below.

Join the Club RACE PROGRAMMESATURDAY

08:00 Course Inspection (Assigned Officials Only)
08:30 Scrutineering
09:00 Marshals’ Briefing
09:15 Drivers’ Briefing
10:00 – Practice Sessions
Formula 50 / Formula 3 / Formula 35 – 15 minutes
Formula 2 / Formula 1 – 15 minutes
Novices – 15 minutes
Junior & Colt Practice – 20 minutes
Open Practice (F35, F3, F50, F2, F1) – 15 minutes

PADDOCK OPEN TO PUBLIC

13:00 – First Set of Races
Formula 50 Race
Formula 3 / Formula 35 Race
Novice Race
Junior Colts Race
Formula 2 Race
Formula 1 Race
Junior Race
Open Race

PADDOCK OPEN TO PUBLIC

15:30 – Second Set of Races
Formula 50 Race
Formula 3 / Formula 35 Race
Novice Race
Junior Colts Race
Formula 2 Race
Formula 1 Race
Junior Race
Open Race
SUNDAY & SUBSEQUENT DAY(S)

08:30 Marshals’ Briefing
09:00 Drivers’ Briefing
09:30 – Practice Sessions
Open (F35, F3, F50, F2, F1) – 20 minutes
Novice Practice – 15 minutes
Junior & Colt Practice – 20 minutes

PADDOCK OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

11:30 – First Set of Races
Formula 50 Race
Formula 3 / Formula 35 Race
Novice Race
Junior Colts Race
Formula 2 Race
Formula 1 Race
Junior Race
Open Race

PADDOCK OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

14:20 – Second Set of Races
Formula 50 Race
Formula 3 / Formula 35 Race
Novice Race
Junior Colts Race
Formula 2 Race
Formula 1 Race
Junior Race
Open Race
Course dismantling

Prize giving (Approx. 20 minutes after last race)
Please note that all times are approximate and subject to chance RACE SITES
Race Events

JOIN THE CLUBCONNECT WITH US INTRO VIDEO

Ulverston Inshore Rescue Cruise
2019-06-08 08:00 - 2019-06-09 17:00 | Ulverston Inshore Rescue, Ulverston Inshore Rescue, Canal Foot to Plumpton, Ulverston, LA12 9EL
Cruising weekend from Ulverston Inshore Rescue 8th– 9th June 2019
LW 10:20 and 11:20

Rother Valley Race Meeting
2019-06-08 - 2019-06-09, 2018-10-06 - 2018-10-07 | Rother Valley Country Park, Rother Valley Country Park, Mansfield Road, Wales Bar, Sheffield, S26 5PQ, United Kingdom

Hacketts Lake Race Meeting - European & UK Championship
2019-05-25 - 2019-05-27 | Hackett Lakes Race Meeting, Sandy Ln, Holme Pierrepont,, Nottingham, NG12 2LD, United Kingdom

Liverpool Sailing Club Cruise
2019-05-11 08:00 - 2019-05-12 17:00 | Liverpool Sailing Club
Weekend cruise from Liverpool sailing club 11-12th May LW 11:20 and 12:30

Allerton Race Meeting
2019-05-04 - 2019-05-06 | Allerton, Allerton Park Estate, Knaresborough, HG5 0SE, United Kingdom

Cruise - South East Branch
2019-04-13 08:00 - 17:00 | Long Reach Jet Ski Club in Iwade, Kent., Long Reach Jet Ski Club, Iwade, United Kingdom

Marshals Training Weekend
2019-04-13 - 2019-04-14
HCGB Marshal Training Weekend
Your club needs you!
Last year, as many of you are aware, we appealed for marshals to come forward so that racing could continue. Obviously, so that racing can happen, we need a core of marshals we can call upon to ensure the safe running of our sport.
Without the help of our army of “orange”, we could not enjoy the thrill of watching our colts through to F1 in all their glory.
We need your help!
We are asking you all to look at the situation carefully. Drivers, mechanics, family members, past and present marshals, juniors turning 14 years old this year, friends of family who could become members and anyone else we have missed out. Please come and join the marshalling team.
There is no better way to watch racing than from the marshals’ viewpoints.
Even if you cannot do a whole weekend at a race meeting, doing parts, half days here and there, helping with support in whatever way you can, we need you all.
The weekend of April 13/14th 2019 has been arranged for a marshals training weekend.
It will be at Axceler-8, Leicestershire. It will be a chance to catch up with friends, learn about marshalling procedures, learn new skills, refresh your skills.
More details will follow, to all those who respond. Please come and be part of a fantastic team, as we said, every little helps, as much or as little as you can.

Cruise - South East Branch
2019-03-30 08:00 - 17:00 | Long Reach Jet Ski Club in Iwade, Kent., Long Reach Jet Ski Club, Iwade, United Kingdom
Potential cruise organised by the South East Branch. Location and time to be confirmed, contact organoser for more information.

Branch Liaison Meeting - AGM Venue
2019-03-23 13:00 - 14:30 | AGM, Hilton Hotel, 100 Watering Lane, Northampton, NN4 0XW

Annual General Meeting Weekend
2019-03-23 - 2019-03-24 | AGM, Hilton Hotel, 100 Watering Lane, Northampton, NN4 0XW

Hagbourne School Event
2019-03-16 10:00 - 16:00
Hagbourne Primary School
Super S.T.E.M. Day
Saturday March 16th 2019
10.00 to 16.00
Hagbourne Primary School,
Main Road,
East Hagbourne,
Didcot.
OX11 9LR
Event Information
School Poster

Popham - Hoverin
2019-03-10 | Popham Airfield, Popham Airfield, Coxford Down,, Winchester, SO21 3BD
The Southern Branch offers –
a Pre – Race Season Hoverin at
POPHAM AIRFIELD, HAMPSHIRE, SO21 3BD
www.popham-airfield.co.uk
SUNDAY 10th March 2019
The racing season is not that far away. If you would like to: Flight test the new craft you have been
building over the winter months – ensure that the repaired one still works – reawaken your driving skills –
learn to drive – just have a ride – catch up with Hovercrafting friends, then come to Popham on the above
date.

 Operating times are from 10.00 a.m. to dusk
 This is an ideal site for experienced and new drivers
 Driver tuition and rides available
 Refreshments are available in the airfield cafeteria. The all day breakfasts there are very popular
 This event is open to both members and non-members
 If bringing a craft that is not registered with the HCGB then please contact us first
 IF REGISTERED BEFOREHAND STAYING OVERNIGHT ON SATURDAY IS PERMITTED. £10 PER UNIT.
PLEASE NOTIFY BOB BEECH

Note that prior registration is encouraged to save time on the day.
Please e-mail Bob Beech at robertf.beech@btopenworld.com. Registration
forms and other documents will then be sent to you before the event.
DIRECTIONS – (Post code above)
From the North and East – Exit the M3 at J8 onto the A303. After about two miles take the junction for
Micheldever Station and then turn right (north) and go under the A303 and turn right as if you are to go
back onto the A303. Go past the first junction on the left and then the airfield entrance is on your left.
Don't go too fast though as if you miss the entrance you will, indeed, end up back on the A303.
From the South – If on the M3 you need to go to J7 and then go back onto the southbound side of the M3.
Then follow the directions as above.
From the North and West – From the A34 take the A303 for about two and a half miles and take the
junction signposted Micheldever Station. At the “T” junction turn right and then immediately left as if to
go back onto the A303. Then follow the directions above.
On entering the airfield, (the entry route is shown on the Google picture) there is a short one way section
of road at the end of which the road turns sharply to the right. Bear left at this point and pass through a
gravelled car park onto a track going down the hill. At the bottom, vehicles towing hovercraft can be
parked on the gravel road alongside the aircraft park. To save space, please park solo vehicles in the car
park, as indicated. YOU ARE ADVISED TO USE THIS ROUTE IN VIEW OF LOW HANGING BRANCHES OVER
THE TARMAC ROAD THAT COULD PRESENT PROBLEMS FOR HIGH VEHICLES SUCH AS VANS AND
MOTORHOMES.
INTERESTED IN COMING OR WANT MORE DETAILS – PLEASE DROP AN EMAIL TO:
Bob Beech at robertf.beech@btopenworld.com or phone 07711 560347 or 01425 610775

Site Map Download

Competitions Committee Meeting
2019-01-12
Downloads
HC118 Scrutineering Checklist
Link to Forum
HC057 Articles of Association
HC056 Memorandum of Association
HC115 Competitions Regulations 2018
HC055 Articles of Association Branches
Bay Marine Insurance – Discounted Cruising Insurance for all HCGB Members.
HCGB152 2016-1 Construction Regs
HC074 1 Risk Assessment
HC051 Competitions Com Constitution
HC054 Recreation Constitution
HC148 Appeals Procedure 2
HC156 1 Officials Handbook
HC133 Cruising ConRegs 2003
HC080 2006 Health Safety Policy
HCGB Councilcouncil@hovercraft.org.ukChairperson – Makyla Devlin
Vice Chair – Ross Hammond
Secretary – Deborah Hunt
Treasurer – Peter Walker
Insurance Officer – Martin Hackett
Dave Elston
Charlie Metcalfe
Keith Lovell
Philip Tattersall
Rachael Gifford
Upcoming Club MeetingsChairperson – Keith Lovell
Secretary – Catherine Lucas
Rhiannon Black
George Barnes
Louise Beale
Heather Black
Mike Lambert
Zoe Deacon
Jamie Lewendon
Claire Mason
Tim Shaw
Carl Smith Competitions Committee competitions@hovercraft.org.ukUseful ContactsInformation – info@hovercraft.org.uk
Membership – memberservices@hovercraft.org.uk
Insurance – insurance@hovercraft.org.uk
Council – council@hovercraft.org.uk
Secretary – secretary@hovercraft.org.uk
Comps – comps@hovercraft.org.uk
Website & Magazine – webadmin@hovercraft.org.uk
Licenses – licences@hovercraft.org.uk
Branch InformationNORTH WEST
Chair: Charlie Peach
Secretary: Sean O Callaghan
Meeting Venue: Duckworth Hall, Haslingden Old Road, Oswalldtwistle, BB5 3RQ
Meeting Day: 1st Tuesday of the month.
CHILTERNS
Chair: Makyla Devlin
Secretary: Kris Gruber
Meeting Venue: The Red Lion, Aylesbury Road, Bierton, Aylesbury HP22 5BU.
Meeting Day: 2nd Tuesday of the month.

SOUTHERN
Chair: Kevin Foster
Secretary: Peter Walker
Meeting Venue: The Red Rover, Salisbury Road, West Wellow, Romsey, Hampshire SO51 6BW
Meeting Day: 3rd Wednesday of the month, 7pm
MIDLANDS
Chair: Jon Spedding
Secretary: Andrew Folland
Meeting Venue: The Boat House, 14 Bridge Street, Barrow Upon Soar, Loughborough, LE12 8PN.
Meeting Day: 2nd Monday of the month, 8:30pm
SOUTH EAST
Chair: Russ Pullen
Secretary: Benn Bristow
Meetings: Please contact branch chair for meeting venue and dates.
SOUTH DOWNS TWIG
Chair: Susan Ives
Meeting Venue: Burgess Hill
Meeting Day: 2nd Thursday of each month – Please contact Chair for meeting venue and dates.
SOUTH WEST
Chair: Wayne Hill
Secretary: Jon Pert
Meeting Venue: The Bower Inn, East Bower, Nr. Bridgwater, Somerset TA6 4TY
Meeting Day: Please contact Chair for meeting dates

Boxing day Cruise
2018-12-26 | Long Reach Jet Ski Club in Iwade, Kent., Long Reach Jet Ski Club, Iwade, United Kingdom
The South East branch will be holding a cruising event on Wednesday 26th December from Long Reach Ski Club on the Swale under the A249 Kingsferry Bridge (ME12 4NG). Please contact Carl Cristina if you are interested in taking part or would like further information on Carl.Cristina@hadlow.ac.uk

South East branch cruise Sunday 2nd December
2018-12-02 | Long Reach Jet Ski Club in Iwade, Kent., Long Reach Jet Ski Club, Iwade, United Kingdom
The South East branch will be holding a cruising event on Sunday 2nd December from Long Reach Ski Club on the Swale under the A249 Kingsferry Bridge (ME12 4NG). Please contact Carl Cristina if you are interested in taking part or would like further information on Carl.Cristina@hadlow.ac.uk

South East branch cruise Saturday 17th November
2018-11-17 | Long Reach Jet Ski Club in Iwade, Kent., Long Reach Jet Ski Club, Iwade, United Kingdom
The South East branch will be holding a cruising event on Saturday 17th November from Long Reach Ski Club on the Swale under the A249 Kingsferry Bridge (ME12 4NG). Please contact Carl Cristina if you are interested in taking part or would like further information on Carl.Cristina@hadlow.ac.uk

South East Cruise Saturday 3rd November
2018-11-03 | Long Reach Jet Ski Club in Iwade, Kent., Long Reach Jet Ski Club, Iwade, United Kingdom
The South East branch will be holding a cruising event on Saturday 3rd November from Long Reach Ski Club on the Swale under the A249 Kingsferry Bridge (ME12 4NG). Please contact Carl Cristina if you are interested in taking part or would like further information on Carl.Cristina@hadlow.ac.uk

Popham Hoverin - End of Season
2018-10-28 | Popham Airfield, Popham Airfield, Coxford Down,, Winchester, SO21 3BD
The Southern Branch offers –
a Late Season Hoverin at
POPHAM AIRFIELD, HAMPSHIRE, SO21 3BD
www.popham-airfield.co.uk
SUNDAY 28th October 2018
Although the racing season has finished the Southern Branch members still want to use their Hovercraft this year and having booked space at Popham Airfield, as above, we would invite anyone else who would like to join us to do so.
• Operating times are from 10.00 to dusk
• This is an Ideal site for experienced and new drivers
• Driver tuition and rides available
• BBQ available for lunchtime. Bring what you would like to cook on it
• Other refreshments are available in the airfield cafeteria. The all day breakfasts there are very popular
• This event is open to both members and non-members
• If bringing a craft that is not registered with the HCGB then please contact us first
Note that prior registration is encouraged to save time on the day.
DIRECTIONS – (Post code above)
From the North and East – Exit the M3 at J8 onto the A303. After about two miles take the junction for Micheldever Station and then turn right (north) and go under the A303 and turn right as if you are to go back onto the A303. Go past the first junction on the left and then the airfield entrance is on your left. Don’t go too fast though as if you miss the entrance you will, indeed, end up back on the A303.
From the South – If on the M3 you need to go to J7 and then go back onto the southbound side of the M3. Then follow the directions as above.
From the North and West – From the A34 take the A303 for about two and a half miles and take the junction signposted Micheldever Station. At the “T” junction turn right and then immediately left as if to go back onto the A303. Then follow the directions above.
On entering the airfield, (the entry route is shown on the Google picture) there is a short one way section of road at the end of which the road turns sharply to the right. Bear left at this point and pass through a gravelled car park onto a track going down the hill. At the bottom, vehicles towing hovercraft can be parked on the gravel road alongside the aircraft park. To save space, please park solo vehicles in the car park, as indicated. YOU ARE ADVISED TO USE THIS ROUTE IN VIEW OF LOW HANGING BRANCHES OVER THE TARMAC ROAD THAT COULD PRESENT PROBLEMS FOR HIGH VEHICLES SUCH AS VANS AND MOTORHOMES.
INTERESTED IN COMING OR WANT MORE DETAILS – PLEASE DROP AN EMAIL (OR PHONE) BOB BEECH robertf.beech@btopenworld.com or 01425 610775 or 07711 560347
Further Information & Details
Map
Signing on Form
Briefing Notes

Competitions Committee Meeting
2018-10-28

South East Cruise Sunday October 14th
2018-10-14 09:00 - 17:00 | Long Reach Jet Ski Club in Iwade, Kent., Long Reach Jet Ski Club, Iwade, United Kingdom
The South East branch will be holding a cruising event on October 14th from Long Reach Ski Club on the Swale under the A249 Kingsferry Bridge (ME12 4NG). Please contact Carl Cristina if you are interested in taking part or would like further information on Carl.Cristina@hadlow.ac.uk
