Ashley Penfold, fresh from a string of outstanding results on the international stage, is preparing for what promises to be a spectacular showdown at the 2025 GT30 European Championship in Viverone, Italy.
The 32-year-old racer from Lowestoft heads into the event with momentum firmly on his side. After securing Bronze at the UIM World Championships and clinching the 2025 GT30 British Sprint Championship title, Penfold is brimming with confidence as he prepares to take on Europe’s finest.
From 12–14 September, he will line up against fifteen elite GT30 drivers from five nations, all determined to claim the prestigious European crown. With so much talent on the water, the stage is set for a thrilling contest of speed, skill and strategy.
The Challenge Ahead
The weekend begins with a crucial timed qualification session, where every competitor will push their craft to the absolute limit in pursuit of pole position. This will determine the grid for four fiercely competitive heats, each demanding precision, control and tactical nous from the drivers.
Navigating the twists and turns of Lake Viverone, racers will need to balance risk with discipline, as only the sharpest and most resilient will find themselves in contention for the European title.
The Setting
Nestled in the scenic landscape of north-west Italy, Viverone offers a breathtaking backdrop for the event. But beneath the tranquil surface lies a course that can quickly turn treacherous, particularly if the winds rise, creating conditions that will test every driver’s composure and adaptability.
From the Driver
Looking ahead to the challenge, Penfold said:
“The competition is going to be fierce, with the top three drivers from the World Championship back in contention and a big influx of Italian drivers all eager to make their mark.
Viverone is a spectacular place to race, and the action will be intense.
Despite its calm appearance, the lake can create very tricky conditions—especially if the wind kicks in.
Along with my team, I’m ready for the challenge and hopefully I can reward them and my sponsors with some more silverware to finish the season in style.”
| GT30 Entry List – Viverone, Italy (12–14 September 2025) | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # | Driver | Country | Heat 1 | Heat 2 | Heat 3 | Heat 4 | Points | Team |
| 2 | Andres Virumann | 🇪🇪 EST | Viru Racing | |||||
| 7 | Karl Soodla | 🇪🇪 EST | Viru Racing | |||||
| 8 | Stefano Genova | 🇮🇹 ITA | Rainbow Team | |||||
| 9 | Luca Baggioli | 🇮🇹 ITA | Milano Racing | |||||
| 10 | Ashley Penfold | 🇬🇧 GBR | Ashley Penfold Racing Team | |||||
| 11 | Jacopo Ravasio | 🇮🇹 ITA | ||||||
| 14 | Edoardo Chiesa | 🇮🇹 ITA | Rainbow Team | |||||
| 16 | Riccardo Colonna | 🇮🇹 ITA | ||||||
| 18 | Jaime Atlee | 🇬🇧 GBR | Jelf Racing Team | |||||
| 26 | Erik Suuk | 🇪🇪 EST | Viru Racing | |||||
| 29 | Riccardo Costa | 🇮🇹 ITA | Milano Racing | |||||
| 32 | Andrea Cavalloni | 🇮🇹 ITA | ||||||
| 37 | Mattia Andreani | 🇮🇹 ITA | Rainbow Team | |||||
| 42 | Mantas Kucinavicius | 🇱🇹 LTU | Riabko Racing Team | |||||
| 50 | Marcin Kociucki | 🇵🇱 POL | Polska Powerboat | |||||
| 99 | Lorenzo De Biasi | 🇮🇹 ITA | Milano Racing | |||||
| 199 | Peter Sandor | 🇭🇺 HUN | Hungarian Speed Team | |||||
| GT30 Driver Bios – Viverone 2025 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Driver | Country | Bio |
| Andres Virumann | 🇪🇪 EST | Estonian rising star with a background in junior hydroplane racing. Known for precision and consistency. |
| Karl Soodla | 🇪🇪 EST | Aggressive on turns and a podium contender in Baltic circuits. Teammate of Virumann at Viru Racing. |
| Stefano Genova | 🇮🇹 ITA | Veteran of the Italian GT30 scene, racing with Rainbow Team since 2022. Known for smooth handling and racecraft. |
| Luca Baggioli | 🇮🇹 ITA | Young talent from Milan, trained under the FIM Junior Elite program. Shows promise in technical circuits. |
| Ashley Penfold | 🇬🇧 GBR | British powerhouse, known for fearless starts and aggressive overtakes. |
| Jaime Atlee | 🇬🇧 GBR | Technical racer with a background in engineering. Brings strategy and precision to every lap. |
| Mantas Kucinavicius | 🇱🇹 LTU | Lithuanian national champion, racing with Riabko Racing Team. Dominates in high-speed conditions. |
| Marcin Kociucki | 🇵🇱 POL | Representing Polska Powerboat, known for endurance and late-race surges. A consistent top-10 finisher. |
| Peter Sandor | 🇭🇺 HUN | Hungarian veteran, racing since 2015 with Hungarian Speed Team. Brings experience and tactical awareness. |
| Jacopo Ravasio | 🇮🇹 ITA | Emerging Italian driver with strong regional results. Making his GT30 debut at Viverone. |
| Riccardo Colonna | 🇮🇹 ITA | Private entry with a background in amateur hydroplane racing. Known for steady improvement. |
| Andrea Cavalloni | 🇮🇹 ITA | Newcomer to the GT30 circuit. Trained under local Italian racing programs. |
| Mattia Andreani | 🇮🇹 ITA | Rainbow Team junior driver. Known for quick reflexes and adaptability in changing water conditions. |
| Edoardo Chiesa | 🇮🇹 ITA | Experienced Italian racer with multiple podiums in national GT30 events. A Rainbow Team regular. |
| Riccardo Costa | 🇮🇹 ITA | Milano Racing’s youngest entrant. Known for bold overtakes and high cornering speeds. |
| Lorenzo De Biasi | 🇮🇹 ITA | Veteran of the Italian circuit. Brings consistency and technical finesse to the Milano Racing lineup. |
Nikki Drummond has been instrumental in promoting powerboat racing through her reporting and her roles within the Royal Yachting Association (RYA), including serving as a Powerboat Racing Officer.
Her journalistic work spans both UK and international racing, and she currently manages media for the F1 Atlantic Team, Jelf Racing, and other competitors. Drummond’s insights and coverage have appeared in a variety of publications, significantly contributing to the visibility and growth of the sport.