Peters & May Backs Offshore Racing Youth Movement

Peters & May-backed racers Pocknell (left) and Curtis recently toured the Qatar Class 1 team shop.

Global vessel transport logistics leader Peters & May has added yet another powerboat racing team to its sponsorship portfolio. The team of 16-year-old Ben Pocknell and 14-year-old Steve Curtis—no relation to the famed offshore racer Steve Curtis who throttles for the Qatar Class 1 offshore racing team, which uses Peters & May for its transport services—will be sponsored by the outfit this season.

The young team races on the United Kingdom Formula Future Offshore Racing circuit. The feeder/development class consists of a driver and navigator who are at least 12-years in 14-foot boats powered by 40-hp Yamaha outboard engines. The boats reportedly reach speeds of 35 mph.

At present, Peters & May, which also is based in the U.K., sponsors 14 powerboat racing teams.

“Wherever boats are in motion, we like to be there,” said David Holley, the chief executive officer of Peters & May, in a press release from the company “Through youth racing programs, we can help encourage growth in powerboat racing and all kinds of recreational boating. It’s good for the kids and it’s good for our industry.”