The youngest team in the UK offshore Powerboat Racing Association history will be making waves this weekend.

Pilot, Baylan Blanks, 17, and his navigator, Harry Pink, 19, will make their debut in Southampton on Saturday, in the first race of the season, which will go around the Island.

Baylan, from Bembridge, is officially too young to take part in the event as it is for over-18s, but he has been granted special dispensation a year early. He explained: “I attended a meeting with all the competitors, and they gave me permission to take part a year early.”

Despite his tender years, he has a wealth of experience behind him. He added: “At the moment, I am doing boat valeting and maintenance, as well as training people on jet-skis at Bembridge Powerboat Training, where we’re both powerboat instructors.

“I started powerboat racing, aged 12, thanks to Sue McLagan who used to run our photography boat at the time. She is now director of powerboat training at the Club.

“From there I met Richard Jackson, who raced super yachts, and Andy Tremlov, who raced powerboats. He gave me more experience racing powerboats, and encouraged me to race as well.”

Prior to the season, Baylan has driven and helped test raceboats such as Top Banana, Brut and Mango Crazy.

Baylan has known Harry since they were youngsters, with his navigator currently at Nottingham University.The boats have a top speed of 74mph, and Baylan said, of Harry: “He was the only person I knew who would be crazy enough to get in the boat with me!”

See more details about the powerboat racing on Saturday on page 30 or here.