The South Coast is gearing up for a Festival of Speed on Water in August, as an International field of offshore powerboat racers take to the waters off Poole and the Solent to vie for winner's laurels on the 100th Anniversary of the Daily Mail British International Harmsworth Trophy.

The competition opens on Sunday August 17th when the boats will gather at Baiter Park near Poole Quay before taking on a testing 112 nautical mile endurance race to Weymouth, with the start off Poole at 12.00, and a loop for spectators off the beaches of Bournemouth and Sandbanks.

The fleet then moves to Cowes, Isle of Wight, where competitors will race twice around the Island on Thursday 21st August giving spectacular action for spectators taking in the key viewing areas off the Needles and St Catherine's Point. The final race is on Saturday August 23rd where the Endurance fleet will start the marathon 210 nautical race from Cowes to Torquay and back. Spectators will be able to watch the rolling start off the Royal Yacht Squadron, Cowes at 10.00am and holiday makers in Torquay will enjoy watching the competitors make a mandatory one-hour fuel stop in the harbour.

The race, now in its 43rd year has always given spectators along the coast from Bournemouth past Portland Bill and onwards great viewing as the boats travelling in excess of 100mph test man, woman and machinery to the very edge. For spectators who make their way to Cowes there will be a full commentary on the Promenade and on the sea front by the voice of motorsport, Brian Jones.

Heading the line-up for Great Britain will be The Earl of Normanton from the Somerley Estate, Ringwood and his racing partner David Allenby, former World Champion from Romsey. The racing duo came out of retirement two years ago to take up a slightly slower, more gentlemanly pace of racing. But with the chance of winning the Daily Mail Harmsworth in its Centennial year, their Cougar has been re-engined with mighty 'supercharged big block Chevvies' pumping out more than 2000 horsepower to ensure they are in with a fighting chance.

Commenting on their challenge, Lord Normanton said: "We are not racing as individuals, we are representing our nation for a trophy, which is our sport's equivalent of the America's Cup. It would be truly wonderful if Great Britain could lift this prize but we are under no illusions, the competition will be fierce. Teams have been preparing for this event for months and we know that we will not be able to throttle back if we want to get to the chequered flag first."

August 17 - August 23 Poole, Cowes-Torquay-Cowes

For more information on the event, log onto www.cowesclassic.com