Honda Formula 4-Stroke the world.s largest off-shore racing team put on a choppy display at Liverpool.s Albert Dock today (Saturday) when the 40 strong fleet took to the unpredictable waters of the Mersey to start this weekend.s penultimate 2008 Liverpool Grand Prix Powerboat Race.

With racing almost being called off due to the rough weather conditions a meeting was called by Bran Wheeler Honda F4SA.s Race Co-ordinator to access the situation.

"The weather conditions were marginal and to run a race what you have to do is access if paramedics and diver.s could rescue crew from the sea should there be an incident. The conditions were so rough that we changed the course to make it a bit safer so that we could carry on with the race. We think the weather will improve for tomorrow and hope for more safe racing", said Brian Wheeler.

A home victory was the highlight of the day when local powerboat stars „Team Williams. won their 225hp race. Driver Scott Williams and Navigator Ken Williams took a good start sitting in the top three but soon fought their way through the pack to have an interesting battle with „Power of Dreams Germany. who had taken the lead. Scott took them on the second lap at the first turn buoy when he came in tight and pushed into first place. They continued to accelerate ahead followed by last year.s 225hp Champions „Negotiator. who were crowned with the 2007 title in Liverpool last September.

"It had to be done, I promised our home crowd a win and that.s exactly what they were going to get. We put up a good fight and taking the German team on that first bend was an amazing feeling. We are dead pleased and can.t wait for the Sunday race", said Scott.

In the smaller 150hp class there was a Victory from across the pond literally when New Zealand team Cougar Marine NZ took home the chequred flag pushing drainstore.com into an un-usually second place on the course. Driver Michael Smith with his Navigator Matt Hopkins join the Honda F4SA for one race only as they take time out from their home series to compete in the UK.

Sitting in third were Team Earls Court driven by James Brooke and navigated by Daniel Whapples. The team who recently set the Cougar 150hp „Round the Isle of Wight. speed record has been going from strength to strength proving that they deserve to sit top three this season.s 150hp class.

Honda F4SA joins the City of Liverpool for the third year running and have enjoyed huge success at every Formula 4-Stroke race they have held. Today.s crowds proved to be in favor of the extremists sport as hundreds lined the Mersey.s banks to get a glimpse of the brightly colored fleet of Cougar powerboats. The one design class powered by Honda engines made an impressive spectacle as Liverpool provides the closest spectator viewing points where the boats roar right up along the banks in an almost touchable experience.

Honda, title sponsor of the series came to witness the show bringing with them a record number of Honda VIP.s from dealerships around the region who watched from the balcony of the new Echo Arena on Kings Parade.

"Organizers of Liverpool 08 and from the Liverpool Culture Company have given the powerboat series full backing in the run up to the weekend providing help and support to make the show come alive. We are very happy to be here this weekend and are honored to be a part of the Liverpool City of Culture. s celebrations", said Geoff Mathews - Head of Honda UK.

Racing continues tomorrow (Sunday) from 11am for the final showdown of this fantastic weekend.