The Jordan Formula One team has extended its partnership with Honda by participating in the 2001 Honda Formula 4-Stroke series, the largest one-design powerboat championship in the world. Jordan's distinct bright yellow livery, so well known and loved on the F1 racing circuit, is reflected on the water in its 21 ft Honda powered sports boat, which carries the name of Jordan's new high intensity energy drink EJ10.

A mininum of 17 identical, 21 foot crafts powered by Honda BF 130 outboard engines will compete against Jordan in all six rounds. The 'One Class' rule forbids any modifications to boat or engine, thereby producing close, exciting racing.

Each race is scheduled to last between 45 and 60 minutes, covering 30 and 50 miles, reaching up to 50 mph. The EJ10 Jordan Honda powerboat will be driven by members of the Jordan team as well as a selection of invited celebrities. 

'The Honda one-design series gives Jordan an opportunity to extend its relationship with Honda into areas outside F1, and whereas on the track we need to be totally focused and serious, on the water we can enjoy lots of fun alongside the fast, exciting racing,' commented Eddie Jordan, Chief Executive of Jordan Grand Prix. 'This sort of highly charged environment is ideal for the promotion of our new energy drink, EJ10. We're expecting a fantastic season, both on track and on water.'

'We are thrilled that Jordan is endorsing the Honda Formula 4-Stroke championship,' enthused series organiser and three-times World Powerboat Champion, Steve Curtis. 'Jordan is a slick, professional competitor whose presence in the series will liven things the water and on shore.'

Martin Sanders, General Manager, Power Products, Honda (UK) added: 'As the late Mr. Honda said, 'If Honda does not race, there is no Honda.' The Honda Formula 4-Stroke series proves that this applies as much to our marine division as it does to both our four and two wheel involvements. We are delighted to welcome Jordan GP to the series and wish them the best of luck.'

The Sponsors

EJ10, the new energy drink from Jordan, is the title sponsor of the Jordan Honda entry into this year's Honda Formula 4-Stroke powerboat series.

The EJ10 High Intensity Energy Drink will be available to sample at each of the race venues and is the first driver specific energy drink aimed at heightening concentration and focus. Caffeine free and taurine free, EJ10 was sucessfully test-marketed in 2000 and is managed by Jordan Brand Ltd, a Jordan Group company.
 
In the UK, EJ10 is available in Sainsbury's, Safeway and Asda. EJ10 is available in Ireland in the following store groups: Dunnes Stores, Tesco Ireland, Supervalu, Centra, SPAR, MACE, Londis, Roches Stores, Costcutters, Quik Pick, Emerald, Musgraves and Gala. It is also available in Ireland in the these forecourt groups - Esso, Statoil, Texaco, Shell and Maxol.

The Boat

The 21-foot long Jordan craft, powered by the 130 horse power Honda outboard engine is driven by a different celebrity at each race event, starting with Channel Four presenter, Mike Brewer. 
 
The Races

The 2001 Honda Formula 4-Stroke season incorporates 5 race meetings:

Teignmouth, England (May 5-6)
Les Sables d'Olonne, France (May 26-27)
Ramsgate, England (June 16-17)
Blackpool, England (July 21-22)
The Honda Cowes Classic (September 1-2).

The racing will be broadcast in four 24-minute Saturday morning shows on Channel 4 in November.

The Entrants

H1- King of Shaves
Driven by James Sheppard, and navigated by Neil Sinclair, the team is a new entry this year. The boat is actually last year's H7 Chatsworth Honda which won the 2000 series.

H2 - Inmarsat
2001 will be Shaun Lapworth's 2nd year driving this boat, although he has more experience under sail rather than power. This will be navigator Dan Robins' first full season.

H3 - Mediasurface
Third season for the Peter Moore and Iain McLean. The most successful Honda boat in 1999, winning the most races and eventually finishing 2nd. A mixed season in 2000 saw them splitting the boat in half in Torquay and losing the engine in Poole. Despite this, they finished 3rd at the end of the season.

H4 - Hooligan
Third season for this team - Miles Dobson and Steve Fearn will be looking to recapture the glory of 1999 when they took first place. Last year they finished fourth.

H5 - Jobs-at.co.uk
Second season for brothers David and Kevin Baker who finished fifth in 2000.

H6 - Extreme Chaos
Bought by driver Vernon Hunt at the beginning of last season - previously known as 'Sport Aid' this boat came 6th in both 1999 and 2000. This will be navigator Alan Young's first full season.

H7 - EFH Racing
Newcomers Gareth Ebenezer and Graham Feather are Honda employees, and this will be their first season. Last year the boat was owned by Honda and raced by journalists, finishing 7th overall. Phill Haynes navigates.

H8 - TBC
New team of driver Nicholas Kirby with the navigator yet to be confirmed. Last year, the boat was owned by Honda and driven by celebrities, finishing 8th overall.

H9 - Team Shockwave
New team of Jeff Orford and Graham Sprigg, the boat is 2 years old and previously known as 'Formula K', finishing 4th in 1999 and 9th in 2000.

H10 - EJ10
EJ10 is owned by Jordan Grand Prix and will be driven by a host of celebrities, starting with Channel Four's 'Driven' presenter Mike Brewer.

H11 - Starfish Enterprise
Nick and Richard Clemson - a new team who've never raced powerboats before. The boat is 2 years old and its previous owner only competed in one race last season.

H12 - Honda Racing
Honda's boat - this will be driven by a variety of journalists throughout the season.

H13 - Skull
New boat to be driven by Kevin Cozens who builds Honda hulls, but who has never raced them before.

H14 - TBC
Martin Powell - new boat - new driver.

H15 - EJ10
2nd Jordan boat - may be used as a promotional boat and not raced through a full season.

H16 - Irn Bru
New boat driven by Stephen Baird and navigated by Tanya Stevens.

H17 - Reqio
Mark Corderoy - new boat, new driver.

Further Information

Visit http://www.honda-racing.co.uk for more information on the series.

Alternatively, email with any enquiries about the Jordan entry in this year's Honda Formula 4-Stroke Series.