Full power down the Thames

It's fast, its furious and compelling for its sheer chic, the world's largest off-shore powerboat fleet will be roaring down the Thames for a Grand Prix weekend.

To kick the whole thing off, the Honda Formula 4-Stroke series which features a 30-strong fleet will be parading down the river on Saturday morning, followed by a 40-mile race to Southend-on-Sea. The following morning you'll need to be up early if you want to be at the Greenwich starting point in time for a slight shorter event but with the same finish destination.

Despite appearances, the powerboat race is not only about money. The boats and the engines in the 130hp class are identical, so that skill and judgement, not money, wins.

Watch out for the 225hp vessels, lanched at this year's London International Boat Show, which can top 75mph. To get a close-up view of these stunning vessels pop along to St Katherine's Dock near Tower Bridge.

London Powerboat Grand Prix
Saturday 8 June
9am Parade from Putney Bridge, SW6 to Tower Bridge, SE1
10am Rade from Tower Hill to Southend-on-Sea
Tube: Tower Hill/Southend Central rail-Liverpool Street

Sunday 9
Noon Race from Greenwich to Southend-on-Sea
Rail: Greenwich DLR/Southend Central rail-Liverpool Street

Tubes: Putney Bridge/Tower Hill