fastonwater

The following piece was kindly sent in by Rupert's widow, Celia.

Ruperts racing career began on Lake Windermere. Whilst sking there he spotted the power boats racing at Windermere Motor Boat Racing Club and joined the club. Eventually after a few years he joined Lancashire Powerboar Racing Club. In 1984 he won The Bristol Dock Monohull race. In 1985 he came 2nd in the National Race and 3rd in the International Race. Rupert also won London Dock race and came 2nd in 1986. He came 6th overall and 4th in his class at his first attempt at the Rouen 24 hour race. He raced regularily in Holland and Belgium and in 1988 won the 8 hour race at Alcudia in Majorca with the Dutch team. Rupert took the Osprey Rescue Team in his motorhome to their first Formula One race at Vichy in France and we all know what happened after that! Heart problems forced him to retire from racing,but not from the sport,as he transported the 2 Formula boats from the Thailand Ziggy Team around Europe for a season.

All photos supplied by Denise Gilderdale.

Above: Rupert giving it his all. Bristol 1979.
Below: Bristol - another year but that same determination. (Year needed).

Above left: Rupert collecting his trophy along with Wil Taylor (left) and Bill Ormiston (right). (Year and location needed).
Above right: Rupert and his crew. (Names, year and location needed).

Below left: Rupert and Denise, Bristol 1983. Photo Brian Grimshaw.
Below right: Bristol 1983. Denise in her Grimshaw racing T1 monohull. Photo Brian Grimshaw.

to Italy as part of the English team for the the European Championships. All the team  members came from the Lancashire Powerboat Racing Club and was made up of Rupert, Stu Williams, Colin Brewer, Malcolm Cox and of course Denise. In  1984 Denise won The National Monohull Championship - the first woman ever to win a National Championship.

Above left: Denise in her boat at Preston Docks.                                       
Above right: The Gilderdales - Steff standing, Denise steadying Lauren in her Junior boat. (Location and date needed).

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All of Denises' children went on to race, following on in the family tradition. They all started in the Junior Class - Stephanie was 12, Dan 11 and Tom and Lauren were both nine when they started. In 2008 Tom achieved a World Record Speed on Coniston of 65:85 M.P.H. in his monohull and the Record still stands to this day (15.05.12). Lauren has raced for 2 years in the Juniors and Steff raced in monohulls. For the time being they are both taking some time out - but who knows what is going to happen in the future - with a pedigree like this it's anybodys' guess.

Above and below left: Three shots of Steff racing in the Nationals - Oulton Broad, 07.08.11. (Photos Roy Cooper).
Below right: Steff tussling with Bill Owen. Oulton Broad Nationals, 29.05.11 (Photo Roy Cooper).

Above: Monos on the start pontoon. Oulton Broad Nationals, 30.05.11. (Photo Roy Cooper).
Below: Two photos of Lauren racing at Stewartby in the Sprints, 07.08.11. (Photo Roy Cooper).

Above left: Lauren flying the chequered flag on her lap of honour after her last race at Stewartby, 07.08.11 (Photo Roy Cooper).
Above right: A round of applause from the family as Lauren finishes her lap of honour. Stewartby, 07.08.11 (Photo Roy Cooper).