Burt Noone | Jim Noone | Paul Noone | BJ Noone

Burt Noone was a weekend motorcycle scrambler until he saw hydroplane racing at Bodymoor Heath near Birmingham, in the early sixties. He started racing with a Relu hull, and an Evinrude 1000cc 'Storm' outboard. After experimenting with a B.R.D. Bermuda outboard, and later a Mercury 'Big Six', he decided in 1965 to construct an inboard engined hydroplane from a US design.

Then in 1968, Burt designed and built the Marauder hydroplane, and set a world record speed of 78.41 mph on Lake Windermere. Burt made the Marauder plans available to everyone, and the 1000cc inboard class grew to 32 competing boats in the UK.

Burt driving a Noone/Manta hull
fitted with a 1000cc Hillman Imp engine

The climax of Burt's racing career came in 1971 when he won the World Championship at Boretto, Italy. It was the first world powerboat title won by Britain since 1931.

Three of Burt's five sons followed him into boat racing, each achieving international honours.

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Burt Noone | Jim Noone | Paul Noone | BJ Noone

Jim Noone started racing in 1984, taking over the Racing Number 12 (12 Noon!) from his father. His first boat was a Noone/Renegade hydroplane fitted with a modified 1000cc Hillman Imp engine.

He took many honours in the 1000cc class, and in 1991 broke new ground with a Norton Rotary engine installed in a new Noone/Ringwood hull, which set new speed records and won international honours.

Miss Windermere VI powered by an 8.25 litre V8 Chevrolet
engine developing 640 bhp at 6800 rev/min

Then Jim went 'Big Time' as the driver of Miss Windermere VI - which had been commissioned by Mike Lee and built by Ron Woldbold. Jim became the fastest man on Lake Windermere, with a two way average of 149.12 mph.

Achievements
1000cc inboard class
British National Champion 1989-95
British HR1000 speed record 103.47 mph - 1992
World HR1000cc Champion 1992-95
Class R Infinity World Record of 149.12 mph set in 'Miss Windermere VI' - October 2000
1993 Holder of the K7 Bluebird Trophy for endeavour
1997 BJ Noone Award for outstanding performance

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Burt Noone | Jim Noone | Paul Noone | BJ Noone

At the age of 16 Paul Noone started racing in the OSY 400 class. At 17 he became the youngest World Champion, taking the title at Holme Pierrepont, Nottingham.

In 1988 Paul changed to the 500cc O.C. class, using a methanol fuelled Konig outboard. Paul represented Great Britain many times in Europe and the USA.

After racing for several years in the prone position Paul changed to an armchair seat in a Russian hydrocat hull, with a 500cc Konig outboard. It was a formidable outfit reaching speeds of over 100 mph.

Paul finally raced a Formula 2 cat with a 2 litre Mercury outboard.

Achievements
OSY 400 World Champion 1985
OSY 400 British National Champion 1985-87
European O.C. 500cc Champion 1994, 96, 97
World O.C. 500cc Champion 1995
1990 Awarded Outboard Champions Race Number '1'
1996 BJ Noone Award for outstanding performance

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Burt Noone | Jim Noone | Paul Noone | BJ Noone

Burt Noone Junior, known as BJ, was 14 years old when he started racing hydroplanes. At 16 he finished 4th in the 1995 OSY 400 World Championship at Stewartby, Beds. Later that year he represented his country at the European OSY 400 Championship in Sweden, finishing 2nd.

Tragically his short racing career was to end on the 24th September 1995 at Fairford Lake, Glos, whilst competing in the National Championship Series. He was thrown from the boat and sustained injuries from which he died a few hours later, despite valiant efforts from the Osprey Rescue crew and the Air Ambulance doctors and paramedics.

A tribute to BJ is awarded annually to the powerboat driver judged to have achieved outstanding performance.

Achievements
OSY 400 National Champion 1985
OSY 400 European Championship 2nd place 1995
OSY 400 World Championship 4th place 1995

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