The round the island races, scheduled for Sunday, will start and finish in Douglas Bay and will present teams used to multi-lap bay races with a new challenge as they're confronted with constantly changing sea conditions.

Officer of the Day and Event Organiser Rory Power anticipates that these races will shake up the fleet, demanding different skills from both driver and navigator as they race a 60 mile distance - double the length of a HF4S multi-lap course.

"The round the island race is a new challenge for competitors," comments Power. "The skills of the navigators will be vital and the teams who excel in Sunday's races will be those where the driver and navigator work together effectively.

"The Isle of Man presented a fantastic opportunity to introduce a round the island race into the 2005 calendar," continues Power. "The coast line is stunning and competitors will have to avoid slowing down to take in the island's spectacular scenery! The course will even take the fleet through the 'Calf of Man', one of the island's most beautiful spots."

In addition to the round the island race on Sunday, the Honda fleet will contest a multi-lap course in Douglas Bay on Saturday 25 June. The course is designed to bring the fleets tight into the shoreline, creating a fantastic spectacle for the thousands of people expected on Douglas Promenade this weekend.

Apart from the Honda Formula 4-Stroke races, the island will also see local children compete in the regional finals of the Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship. This boat handling competition gives representatives from local RYA Clubs who have powerboating experience a chance to gain a place at the national final at the Southampton Boat show in September. The Isle of Man regional final will take place at Port St Mary on Saturday.

Aside from the thrills and spills of the waterborne activities, a highlight of the weekend will be an aerial display by the Honda Power of Dreams Stunt Plane. At 1400 on Sunday, the action moves to the air as the stunt plane, a Sukhoi su26, performs some heart-stopping aerobatics.

The Isle of Man is definitely the place to be this weekend and no one should miss the Honda Formula 4-Stroke powerboats as they compete at the island for the first time in the series' seven year history.

Event timetable

Saturday 25 June

10:00-13:00 Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship Isle of Man regional finals (Port St Mary)1345: Honda Formula 4-Stroke 150hp championship: round three (Douglas)
1430: Honda Formula 4-Stroke 225hp championship: round three (Douglas)
1530: Champagne podium for both powerboat classes (Douglas)

Sunday 26 June

1330: Honda Formula 4- Stroke 150hp championship round the island race: round four
1340: Honda Formula 4- Stroke 225hp championship round the island race: round four
1400: Honda Power of Dreams stunt plane display
1600: Prize giving for both powerboat classes

Viewing is available along The Promenade, Douglas. Sunday's round the island races will start and finish in Douglas Bay.