Video: Model powerboat world champion needs a place to train and race
For a model powerboat racer having somewhere to practice your hobby might seem essential, but the lack of such a venue in Norfolk has not stopped Martin Fields from becoming a world champion.
In August the 34-year-old, from School Terrace in Trowse, became world champion in the 7.5cc class at the FSR-World Championships– organised by the international association for model boat racing – in Germany.
But in order to train and test his boats so he can improve his performances, Mr Fields has to travel either to Peterborough or London for a few hours of practice.
'It is difficult to find the right place and the right people,' he said.
'The nearest place I've found is in Peterborough but that's 80 miles away and I sometimes have to go down to London.'
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Mr Fields, whose dad got him and his twin brother into the hobby when they were six years old, believes if he had somewhere nearer to his house to practice then it could help improve some of his performances.
'This year I went to the championships with a hydroplane classed boat.
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'I had made that boat and there was a design flaw which if I had more of an opportunity to test the boat I would have found.'
The senior appliance auditor at Ingeus in Norwich has tried to come to an arrangement with the Broads Authority about using Whitlingham Broad.
The authority has to consult with Norfolk County Council about powerboats using the broad and Mr Fields said: 'I haven't heard anything back from them. 'Hopefully someone will know of a private lake, or the council might be reminded of what I asked for. To have somewhere locally to use would be good because it means I can spend the whole day testing.'
Model powerboat statistics
• The 7.5cc powerboat has a speed of 80kph/50mph.
• The 3.5cc hydroplane powerboat has a speed of 128kph/80mph.
• With fuel the boats weigh 5kg.
• The boats measure one metre in length and 35cm wide.
• They are made from carbon fibre and it takes a week to assemble the boat when putting the parts together.
• In terms of designing the boat and then putting the parts together, it can take two or three months.
• It costs roughly £2,000 to create a boat.
• The course that the powerboats race around are 100 metres long and 50 metres wide, but there needs to be space around the side.
• The lake would be available for use six to 12 times a year.
• Do you know somewhere where Mr Fields can test his boat? Email rebecca.murphy@archant.co.uk
