Simon Belcher wins Pro-Am Stock British Jet Sport Championship
Outstanding title victory at Wyboston Lakes with one round to spare
First British title for Belcher since 2000 in first full season since return
Simon Belcher rolled back the years once again this past weekend, 17th/18th August, by winning the British Pro-Am Stock Jet Sport Championship crown at Wyboston Lakes in Bedfordshire with one race still to go in the 2019 season – his first domestic title victory since 2000.
Putting together a superb campaign in his first full season of competition since making a welcome return to the water in 2017, the Swindon sportsman wrapped-up the British title in style by taking three race victories aboard his Dean’s Team Yamaha and AVOS Pro Stock boat.
In addition to the Pro-Am title win with one round to spare, which will take place at Kingsbury Water Park on 7th/8th September, Belcher was also in action over the weekend in the Pro Modified GP Championship and the Veteran’s Championship – the latter for competitors over 35-years-of-age.
Taking one victory and two further third places in the Modified class, racing against the likes of former World Champion James Bushell, Belcher added a win and a brace of second places in the Veteran races too. Notably, while both of those classes permit highly modified machines to compete, Belcher contested them aboard his Pro Stock boat.
He leads both of those championships too ahead of the sixth and final round next month so an incredible hat-trick of domestic titles is a distinct possibility for Belcher who, away from his Jet Sport racing, is team principal of touring car motorsport team HMS Racing. Last month, of course, he also successfully defended the European Pro Stock Jet Sport title he won in 2018, after 18 years away.
“It’s absolutely fantastic to have won a British Championship title 19 years since my last, I have to say a huge thank you to all of my sponsors and the guys at Dean’s Team Yamaha and AVOS for giving me a great boat”, said a delighted Belcher.
“We’ve had a great season so far, retaining the European Pro Stock title a few weeks ago was obviously an incredible feeling but to now add another British title after so many years away is very special. The aim now is to try and take the Pro Modified GP and Veteran crowns as well, a clean sweep would be pretty spectacular!”
While Belcher was busy competing in Jet Sport at the weekend, members of the HMS Racing squad were at Thruxton Circuit in Hampshire for the latest three rounds of the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship season.
While the squad is on the BTCC sidelines this year, aiming for a return to action in 2020 with its podium-finishing Alfa Romeo Giulietta, the HMS hospitality unit was in attendance along with the Alfa Romeo piloted by Rob Austin last year.
“I’d like to say a big thank you to Jo Paddon and everyone at the team for looking after all of the HMS guests at Thruxton over the weekend”, said Belcher, “We’re working very hard behind the scenes to make sure we’re back on the BTCC grid next year, so it’s important to still be part of the race weekends when we can – especially at our home round.”
