Out and about

Experience the exhilarating sport of Hovercraft racing at Bank Farm in Thorney this July, when the Hovercraft Club of Great Britain holds the British round of the European Championships, with teams from all over Europe coming together for a weekend of fast and furious fun! Up to 85 hovercraft are expected, coming from Sweden, Germany, France, Holland, Belgium, Austria and the UK.

A hovercraft is like no other machine; the ultimate all-terrain beast, they reach speeds of up to 100 miles an hour on land, water and air! They're noisy, and can get very hot, and - best of all - were invented by Cambridge-born boffin, Sir Christopher Cockerell.

Picture courtesy - www.hovercraft.org.uk

The championships will give you a chance to get up close to these magnificent machines, and even talk to the drivers during special paddock break times - but be warned, things can get very hot!

Driving a hovercraft at high speed requires pinpoint accuracy - especially as they have no brakes, and no contact with the ground! Before the race a number of checks are carried out, and a board is displayed which shows how many minutes are left before they start. Once all the drivers are ready the red lights turn to green - and they're off!

Practice rounds start at 10 o'clock in the morning, with races going on all afternoon. Racing should finish around 5pm - depending on the weather.