08/03/2026
The Return of a Legend:
Apache 555 Begins a New Chapter
One of the most iconic boats in British Offshore Powerboat Racing, Apache 555, has entered a new chapter with Hampshire-based entrepreneur Peter Bonham Christie becoming new custodian of the legendary boat.
"You cannot own a piece of history like Apache. You are simply the custodian and must do your best to honour her
past and ensure she lives on into the future."
Peter Bonham Christie is no stranger to powerboating, having raced successfully for many years in various classes and championships
around the world, including a World Speed Record achieved in class on Coniston Water, where Sir Donald Campbell himself campaigned Bluebird.
He has also been restoring and racing Eilun, his 1896 Solent One Design Yacht, in recent
years.
Peter is a formidable engineer building a global business, Straight Eight Engineering (www.straighteightengineering.com)
specialising in the manufacture of Marquee Washing Machines renowned for their reliability.
PBC has confirmed Apache will be racing in the UKOPRA Championships (www.ukopra.co.uk), comprising five events
based mainly around the South Coast this year, as well as the famous Cowes Torquay Powerboat Race run by the British
Powerboat Racing Club (www.britishpowerboatracingclub.co.uk), taking place on the August Bank Holiday.
Apache 555 in her current blue and yellow livery, ready for the 2026 season HTS 858 to Apache 555
Designed by renowned British powerboat designer Don Shead, the 33-foot Souter-built hull originally launched as HTS and quickly established a reputation as one of the most reliable and formidable endurance offshore racers of its era.
Shewas a sister ship to Tommy Sopwith's T2.
Commissioned by transport magnate Ralph Hilton, the boat was originally named HTS after his company, Hilton Transport
Services. She carried the race number 858, Hilton's east London area dialling code, and wore a distinctive pale blue and
white livery matching his company vehicles.
Jimmy Brooker, who worked for Hilton Transport as an engineer, was enlisted as Race Mechanic for HTS. This was the
beginning of a long career in powerboat racing working on a raft of spectacular boats, always with the focus of keeping
them going and making them faster.
Powered initially by twin Leyland diesels, HTS entered the 1969 Daily Telegraph-BP Round Britain Powerboat Race.
Despite engine problems that would plague her early career, she won the 178-mile Inverness to Dundee leg in dense fog.
Further engine failures forced retirement from that race and the subsequent Cowes-Torquay-Cowes.
Re-engined with Ford Sabres, HTS found her form. In 1972, crewed by London dentist Eddie Chater, marine engineer Mike Bellamy and Jim Brooker, she won the London to Monte Carlo race, still regarded as the longest offshore powerboat
race ever held.
The boat passed through several owners, including David Blackford, Charles Gill and John Craxford, before David Hagan
acquired her and renamed her Apache.
David Hagan (DLH)
Under Hagan's ownership, fitted with larger Ford Sabre engines, she went on to enjoy one of the most successful seasons of
any offshore racing boat of the period. In 1979, Apache won the British and European Class II Championships before being
crowned World Class II Champion in Venice, securing her place among the most decorated offshore racing boats of the era.
"In 1979 we won 11 out of 13 races. We broke down in the first race because 'DLH', pressed to win, ran the engines
at a level they did not take to his enthusiasm."
John Buchanan, former Apache Team Member
DLH pushed the boat hard, always looking for speed. With Jimmy Brooker still on board, they found it. Running the propellers at the speeds needed for Apache to get on the plane was not straightforward.
Hagan devised a system to tow her
until the engines could spin up and turbos start working, at which split second the tow rope would be jettisoned from the
bow.
In stepped Anita Hagan to man the bow. As David's wife and very much part of the Apache Race Team, she was expected
to be the person on the bow to control the tow rope and carefully shimmy back along the deck once Apache was on the
plane and at race speed.
"It was all just so much fun. I loved racing that boat and never really considered the danger."
Anita Hagan, former Apache Team Member
Oxygen was the answer to getting Apache back on the plane during a race, and renowned racer Tony Howe was enlisted to
administer the exact amount when needed. Tony raced alongside David throughout the boat's historic era and was part of
the remarkable generation of racers that defined offshore powerboat racing in the 1970s, competing with teams including
The Legend, Goldrush, BEF and Phonola.
Other Apache Team Members included John Buchanan and Tim Mellery-Pratt, who navigated Apache to her Cowes-
Torquay-Cowes Class win in 1979. Tim also raced Apache when she was HTS 858 in 1976 and 1977 with John Craxford
and Chris Kaye, the technical director of Sabre Engines.
"David and Jimmy worked on the technical side constantly over the years to improve not only speed but reliability.
This made us a very hard team to beat, as we always finished and we were very quick."
Tim Mellery-Pratt, former Apache Team Member
"When you worked on Apache you knew you were dealing with something special. Boats like that were built to be
pushed hard. It is great to see her coming back with the respect she deserves. In 1979 she had already been racing
for nine years and had done in excess of 60 races. She is one hell of a boat."
Jimmy Brooker, original Apache Engineer
After several successful years campaigning Apache, David loaned her to the Motorboat Museum at Basildon, where she
rested until 2009 when the Museum was unfortunately forced to close.
Nick Wilkinson
With Apache back in David's barn and no clear path forward, a Powerboat Angel in the form of Nick Wilkinson arrived at
David's door in 2011. Nick had a dream to restore Apache to her former glory and get her racing once more, and a deal was
struck.
Nick Wilkinson, a member of the Classic Offshore Powerboat Club, undertook a comprehensive restoration, fitting twin
Perkins 300hp diesels, ZF gearboxes, Lancing Marine surface drives and Clements shafts with surface-piercing propellers.
The hull was repainted in Perkins colours, rewired and replumbed.
Wilkinson returned Apache to competitive offshore racing, entering the 2013 Venice-Monte Carlo Prologue with co-driver
Matt Wilson carrying the number 555. Once the Perkins sponsorship had run its course, Nick returned Apache to a close
match of her original colours.
"I will miss her. Finding the right owner was paramount to me. Apache is not just any old powerboat; she is a
piece of history, and it is only a certain type of person who really understands that. I know Peter will race her
hard, but he will also care for her and keep building her history for future generations."
Nick Wilkinson
In early 2026, with too many boats in the barn, Nick decided it was time to give someone else the honour and opportunity
to be Apache's custodian, and Peter and Nick found a deal.
The Apache Team
Peter grew up around Apache and all who were involved, so it is no surprise that he has turned to the sons and daughters of
the original team.
"David was a great friend, mentor and legend. He spoke at my 21st birthday and I still remember the speech.
David made Apache more than just a race boat; he made a team that reached far and wide and brought friends,
family and the odd stranger together. Apache was the focus and the excitement, but the true joy was the team. I
hope to follow in David's footsteps with this ethos."
Peter Bonham Christie
Peter Bonham Christie
Sam Howe
Dan Howe
Driver / New Custodian
Old School Apache Team
Navigator
The first member to join PBC and the Apache Team is Dan Howe as Navigator, a long-standing friend of Peter's and
notably the son of legendary powerboat navigator Tony Howe. Although Dan comes with no powerboat racing experience,
he is a formidable yacht racer and navigator.
"Growing up, Apache was almost mythical in offshore racing circles. To now be involved in bringing the boat back
with Peter and the wider team is incredibly special, not just for us as a family but for everyone who remembers
what these boats represented."
Dan Howe, Navigator
"That era of offshore racing was raw, adventurous and full of remarkable characters. Apache was one of the boats
that captured the imagination of the sport. Seeing her back with a passionate new owner gives me enormous
pride."
Tony Howe, Offshore Racing Veteran
Sam Howe, daughter of Tony Howe, has set up the Old School Apache Team, which has become a hub of knowledge and
stories from Apache's golden era. Photo albums have been unearthed and attics raided, with original Apache race suits,
helmets, team clothing and even key rings recovered.
"Apache was part of the stories of my childhood. My father navigated alongside that extraordinary generation of
racers, and the names of those boats were spoken about with huge respect. Seeing Apache return feels like
something coming full circle."
Sam Howe
As a true family affair, Isabel Hagan, David's daughter, is rumoured to be racing in Anita's seat for a few races. More
details to follow.
"Crazy? Possibly. Nostalgic? Definitely. It is also very exciting and potentially magical. Dad would be there with
an abundance of champagne wishing Peter and team the skill and speed to raise Apache back to glory. Buena suerte amigos."
Isabel Hagan, David Hagan's daughter
"David loved offshore racing and the friendships that came with it. Apache was part of that world and part of that history.
Seeing the boat being cared for and brought back to life is something he would have been thrilled to see."
Anita Hagan, former Apache Team Member
2026 RACE PROGRAMME
Apache 555 will compete in the 2026 UKOPRA Championships (five events, South Coast) and the Cowes Torquay
