February 2007 - Malc Goodman receives prestigious BJ Noone Award

 BJ Noone Racing

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.

The Noone family decided to keep the memory of BJ alive in the sport by creating an award in his honour.

The BJ Noone Award for outstanding achievement is a very prestigious award in the world of powerboat racing. It is only awarded when it is considered that an individual Circuit Driver has achieved something truly remarkable.

The trophy itself is a Brass Plaque that depicts a picture of BJ’s boat, created by the late Alan Richards who himself was a Hydroplane racer as well as a phenomenal artist.

The parents of BJ, Kay and Burt Noone were present at the RYA Powerboat Racing Gold Awards Ceremony at the beginning of February to bestow this recognition to one remarkable individual.


Malcolm Goodman attempting to break the Speed record!

Burt and Kay personally witnessed this racer set his 100.56 mph Record at Coniston on 2nd November breaking the 0:250 World and National record on his third attempt that day.

“The 100mph record for 250cc engine is a truly remarkable achievement taking great skill regarding engine tuning and set up, not to mention considerable courage to drive a lie down hydroplane at this speed” commented Burt Noone Senior who is a previous World Champion Powerboat racer himself!

Kay and Burt would like to pass their congratulations onto this year’s recipient of the BJ Noone Award - Malcolm Goodman.

“Well Done Malcolm!”


Malcolm Goodman receiving BJ Noone Award from Kay Noone

Malcolm began racing when he was aged 11 in 1993. He started in the J250 class and then progressed to the national championship the following season. He won the junior title in 1997 and then turned his attention to OSY:400 racing, competing in the British, Europeans and Worlds.

He received a silver star after a successful record run at Windermere in the millennium. He then progressed through the various hydroplane disciplines, setting another speed record in 2003.

His ambition was to eventually get a speed of over 100 mph – but this so very nearly didn’t happen as Malcolm had an accident in September in Italy, whilst competing in the Worlds in which he broke his arm. His arm came out of plaster on the 26th October, he was declared fit, and he went out and broke the 0:250 World and National record on Coniston Water on the 2nd November. He brought the speed to a very creditable 100.56 mph.

An Outstanding Award for An Outstanding Achievement!


This is based upon an article first published by the RYA on 16/02/2007
Click here to read the complete article.