A new champion is guaranteed to be crowned in the A class during the Rubis Around the Island Powerboat Race tomorrow.

David Selley has relinquished his title, having opted to compete in S class this year.

“David Selley is moving from A class to S class and will be driving a much more powerful and faster boat,” Robert Cardwell, the Bermuda Power Boat Association commodore, confirmed.

“David is one to watch as he is an experienced professional power boat racer. He will certainly be putting all the other S class pilots in a position where they will have to secure their race lines and a consistent speed all the way around.”

Last year saw Selley and co-pilot Matthew Smith clinch the A class title in a record time of 49min 16sec, shaving more than a minute off the previous record of 50:19 they set in 2019 in their 19ft Phantom.

The pair finished second overall behind Selley’s sibling Mark Selley and his co-pilot Jordan Fletcher, who circumnavigated the island in their Batboat V23 in 41 min 49 sec, slashing more than two minutes off the B class record of 43:52 they set in 2019.

It was the second straight race the Selley siblings have been the first and second boats back to the finish at Ferry Reach.

Back to defend their titles this year are Mark Selley and Fletcher, Henry Talbot and Andrew Cottingham in S class, Shawn Butterfield and Jermal Woolridge in D class and Lee Wilson and Callum Cunningham in C class.

Junior drivers and jet skis are also back to compete for bragging rights in their respective events this year.

The day will commence with the junior races at Ferry Reach, beginning at 10.30am.

Trystan Hocking, Jouza James and Isobel Rowe dominated the event last year and will be keen to maintain their winnings ways in the inshore series.

Action continues with the jet ski race beginning at 12.30pm followed by the main event at 2pm.

“Excitement will be seen in all of the races,” Cardwell added. “The juniors bring with them a thrill due to their age and demonstrated skill that they have developed. The Jet ski race whilst shorter than the round the island will be an exciting.

Dakari White won the jet ski race last year.

In the interest of safety, Cardwell has urged those observing the race from pleasure crafts on the water to exercise caution and stay clear of the racecourse.

“We ask for exceptional care and caution when moving around near the racecourse,” he said. “Any wake thrown can have a disastrous effect on the racing boats.

“Care should be taken to not traverse over any of the race lines once the race has started. The race boats will be travelling at full speed in excess of 100kph.”

Competitors were forced to take evasive action to avoid colliding with pleasure craft which ignored calls from race officials to stay clear of the racecourse during a race at Ferry Reach last month.

Crash boats and the coastguard will be on hand to help ensure the safety of competitors and spectators.

“We have a number of crash boats that will be scattered around the island,” Cardwell added.

”The coastguard will be on hand to support crash boats. We advise it is an offence to disobey instructions given by any crash boat or coastguard.“

Cardwell has urged the public to be especially careful in the waters off Pompano Beach.

“Pompano is an area many congregate to spectate,” he said. “In previous years our racers have found it difficult to navigate through spectator boats anchored in the area and find it difficult to maintain their own race line.

“This year buoys will be placed along the Pompano Beach stretch. We ask for those intending to anchor to do so on the outside of these buoys. The teams will be racing between the shore line and the buoys.”