FPT Industrial arrives in Cannes with a full set of exciting new developments. Amidst the always fascinating setting of France’s Cote d’Azur, the Brand displayed its marine engine line-up, new integrated marine control system Red Horizon, as well as a special initiative for the world of racing: the FPT AllBlack Racing Challenge Trophy. The Trophy is a testament to the passion, which the Brand has for powerboat challenges and the durability and power of its engines.
The Trophy will be awarded to the racing team that breaks the record on the Cork-Fastnet-Cork route. The itinerary starts from the Irish harbor of Cork, reaching Fastnet Rock and ends with a return to Cork, for a total of 213.4 km. These two landmarks are iconic for marine racing: the city of Cork is the home of the world’s first-ever powerboat race, while Fastnet Rock is the World renowned iconic landmark known to all international offshore racers.
The launch of the FPT AllBlack Racing Trophy follows the Cork-Fastnet-Cork record breaking in June 2018. The AllBlack Racing team completed the route in two hours, six minutes and 47 seconds (average speed 62.75 mph / 100.99 km/h), in moderate to rough Atlantic conditions. The record was achieved by the AllBlack SL44 powerboat, powered by two FPT Industrial N67 560 engines. The engines have a 6.7-liter displacement, four valves per cylinder and a maximum power of 560 hp.
The Trophy was commissioned by the Powerboat Association of Ireland in recognition of the achievement of the AllBlack Racing team and its supporter FPT Industrial in breaking this Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM) long distance record. The Trophy will be held in trust by the Royal Cork Yacht Club and it will be competed for in July 2020 for the first time, during the special occasion of the Yacht Club’s 300th anniversary celebration.
“With six records in its marine palmarès, FPT Industrial has a desire for challenge in its DNA,” said Riccardo Rebora, Customer Care and Racing Manager at FPT Industrial. “We are proud to promote this special occasion. After last year’s record, we are excited to be part of this project. The Trophy is another confirmation of how our engines are suitable for any kind of mission, also in the most difficult and extreme ones.”
“We are honored to be the first-ever holders of the Cork-Fastnet-Cork UIM World Record, and to have gained the privilege of having the Trophy named ‘FPT AllBlack Racing Trophy,” affirmed John Ryan, member of the Allblack Racing team. “This is a trophy which links to Cork, powerboating’s historic birthplace, whilst promoting the future of long-distance endurance powerboating. As for our future programs, AllBlack Racing has commissioned OPHARDT MARITIM to realize a new, high-tech, future-focused endurance boat. Designed by the world-leading naval Architects Norson Design. It will be powered with FPT Industrial engines featuring the latest technologies.”
The history of the Royal Cork Yacht Club’s association with powerboat racing goes back to 1903. It hosted the first ever international powerboat race, in association with the Royal Automobile Club, where teams competed for the world-renowned Harmsworth Trophy. “We are delighted to host the new FPT AllBlack Racing Trophy which is itself associated with a place that is equally significant for so many people across the globe, the Fastnet Rock,” stated Colin R Morehead, Chairman of the Royal Cork Yacht Club. “We congratulate both the AllBlack Racing team and FPT Industrial for their association in completing the challenge and setting this incredible record. We look forward to seeing competitors attempt to break the record next year as part of the club’s tricentenary celebrations.”
