Viper Jet Moves to Wales

7 Dec 2007

 

 

 

Viper Jet moves to Wales

 

A Carmarthshire man has returned home to revolutionise the power boat racing industry and fulfil a lifetime dream.

Viper Jet Boats, a unique racing boat which can spin on a penny, is the brain child of 49 year-old Mike Tucker a passionate rallying and power boat enthusiast who wanted to introduce a new spectator sport to Wales.

What started out more than eight years ago as a hobby has now escalated into a £150,000 turnover company, with expectations to increase turnover by 175% over the next 12 months by moving to Wales.

 

Specialising in the design and manufacture of racing boats the company also organises unique events to showcase the boats, which allow spectators to view up-close the 14ft long boats reaching speeds of 60mph powered by the 200 horse power engine.

 

Michael, who lived in Llangennech until 1997 originally established the business in Devon, and on deciding to bring his business back home, founder and managing director, Michael contacted business support agency Venture Wales for advice on relocating, setting up and funding the business in Wales. The pan-Wales agency was able to support Viper Jet Boats in securing an inward investment AIG grant from the Welsh Assembly Government together with other funding to help with the costs of setting up a manufacturing plant in Wales. 

 

Michael said: “I am and have always been a huge fan of rallying and power boating so I decided to develop the new concept that makes for a great spectator sport.  The design and manufacture of the boats is like nothing else on the market. It has the styling of a F1 car but is as robust as a high spec world rally championship car.”

 

Michael’s childhood passions coupled with his previous careers in engineering has provided him with the expertise to develop and exploit a gap in the market for the £22,000 boat and the unique series of rallying on water events in which to showcase it.

 

Michael explained: “When we developed the boat and understood its capabilities the idea behind the events was established. Although there are numerous power boat racing events globally, Viper events are unique as they are in enclosed still water arenas, which means spectators don’t lose sight of the boats during any part of the race.”

 

The event arena which is about the size of a football pitch will see the boats race individually against the clock, dynamically manoeuvre around turn buoys and accelerate in a very similar fashion to the modern day rally car.

 

Michael continued: “We took the race boat to the prestigious Festival of Speed and found that it appealed to a wide age range and the events appeal to both men and women keen on extreme sports, either as participants or spectators.   It quickly became apparent that this new motor sport generated a greater interest from the motor racing fraternity as apposed to just the power boat fraternity.”

 

Over the next 12 months Viper expects to create a further five highly skilled jobs in the region to assist with the manufacturing of the boats, and double its turnover.  The events, which will take place on still water docks and lakes, are set to grow during the next three years with plans to move throughout Wales in the first year, the UK in the second and by the third year, Viper Events hopes to have a presence in Europe.

 

Michael continued: “I found that the business support networks are very strong and the inward investment AIG grant made the decision to return much easier and relocating the business to Wales was the final piece in the jigsaw of turning my life long dream into a reality.”

 

Dai Nicholas, general manger at Venture Wales’ west Wales division said: “Viper Jet Boats is a pioneering company in Wales and the UK, and an excellent example of how someone is literally building their dream.

 

“We began supporting Mike during the early stages of his business by helping him secure funding and find a location within Wales that will enable the company to grow. Together we have developed a robust business plan and have created a business growth business strategy which includes recruitment and further funding applications which will enable Viper Jet Boats to exploit the global gap for a spectator power boat event.

 

“We will now be supporting Mike through the crucial business launch and early trading period to help mentor him to success. He has an abundance of engineering experience behind him and the company is already on track to exceed expectations.”

 

Over the first weekend in December 2007, Viper will display the rally on water concept at the new SA1 development in the former Prince of Wales Dock and will have an information marquee with staff keen to assist anyone wishing to get involved with the 2008 Welsh Championship. For more information about the boats or the events visit www.viperjetboats.com.