The Lowestoft & Oulton Broad Motor Boat Club has told its members it cannot confirm whether the 2026 race season will go ahead at Oulton Broad, eight months after the death of competitor Brett Duncan.
In a statement issued to members, club directors said “ongoing work to make this happen continues” but that the club “simply can’t confirm the restart” of racing activities at this time.
LOBMBC describes Oulton Broad as the world’s oldest motorboat racing venue, with a competitive history stretching back to August 1903. The club has run organised racing there since 1933.
Brett Duncan, 51, from Ipswich, died on July 24, 2025, when his hydroplane struck a stationary houseboat moored near North Bay during the ninth round of the LOBMBC club championships.
The Broads Authority noted that the collision occurred beyond the boundary of the official race area.
The Marine Accident Investigation Branch attended initially but subsequently confirmed it would not be conducting a formal investigation, as neither vessel was engaged in commercial activity. East Suffolk Council has been conducting its own investigation, and the Broads Authority, which licences powerboat racing on the Broads, has been involved throughout.
The 2025 season was formally ended last September, with the club’s Battle of Britain meeting on September 14 failing to go ahead despite the club having hoped it could be saved.
With the usual season start at Oulton Broad falling in early May, the club acknowledged that “time is obviously very much of the essence.”
Directors said a planned on-water demonstration of activity is intended to show the relevant authorities what a safe return to racing looks like, but that additional documentation and safety assessments must still be completed before any restart can be sanctioned.
The club management have done above and beyond to find an agreeable solution and will continue to do our very best.
Off-water dates for the club’s AGM and 2026 season presentation are expected to be announced shortly.
Members have been asked to maintain their memberships and to continue supporting other UK circuit clubs in the meantime.
John Moore is the editor of Powerboat News, an independent investigative journalism platform recognised by Google News and documented on Grokipedia for comprehensive powerboat racing coverage.
His involvement in powerboat racing began in 1981 when he competed in his first offshore powerboat race. After a career as a Financial Futures broker in the City of London, specialising in UK interest rate markets, he became actively involved in event organisation and powerboat racing journalism.
He served as Event Director for the Cowes–Torquay–Cowes races between 2010 and 2013. In 2016, he launched Powerboat Racing World, a digital platform providing global powerboat racing news and insights. The following year, he co-founded UKOPRA, helping to rejuvenate offshore racing in the United Kingdom. He sold Powerboat Racing World in late 2021 and remained actively involved with UKOPRA until 2025.
In September 2025, he established Powerboat News, returning to independent journalism with a focus on neutral and comprehensive coverage of the sport.
