Easton bullish about rookie season in UK
Shaki Easton is confident that he and his Motorvated Racing team-mate Errin Butterfield can hold their own during their rookie season on the British Offshore Racing Series this summer.
The local powerboat racers are set to make their debut on the racing circuit for class three boats at the Falmouth Marathon Regatta in Cornwall on June 30.
Easton will be at the wheel of Jack Bobin’s World Championship winning Phantom 19g, while Butterfield will be competing as a navigator on board a 20-foot Twister Catamaran, driven by Bobin’s father and team owner Kerry Bobin.
“I’m hoping to be on the podium and I’m sure Kerry will help make a very smooth transition because the boats are the same,” Easton said.
“I feel that Bermuda has the talent to compete anywhere in the world and we have had world champions in boat racing before.
“This is my first time racing boats overseas and I’m excited to be going over and having sponsorship, and a boat given to me to race. That’s a big deal; not paying for a boat or anything and just showing up to race.”
Easton will be competing with navigator Barry Culver, who is a former world champion, in the same class that he and Butterfield dominated the local racing scene in last summer.
“It’s the exact same as my boat that Jack’s dad, Kerry, rigged,” he said. “Ours may be a little lighter but speed wise and handling wise everything else is the same.”
As for Butterfield, Easton added: “That’s awesome for Errin because he’s a good navigator.
“He will be in the boat with Kerry who wants to win a championship, which he’s never won. He’s always helped others win but never won a championship himself and he’s coming out of retirement in a very fast boat that just shattered a record in the UK.”
Last summer Easton and rookie co-pilot-owner Butterfield won all but one race they entered and were the first boat to complete the Rubis Around the Island Power Boat Race.
The British Offshore Racing Series officially starts on June 9 with the World Offshore Championship and Fortitudo Property Poole Bay 100 in Poole, Dorset.
