[UPDATED] Mr Solo driver holds Guinness record as oldest pro racer

POWERBOAT racer Ken Charles has been recognised by Guinness World Records as the oldest professional powerboat racer in the world. He told Newsday the 2021 TT Great Race may be his last time competing in the event.

Charles, 76, the owner/driver of perennial TT Great Race winner Mr Solo, has been racing since the early 1960s, before the Great Race began.

The Guinness World Records website posted on Monday, “The oldest professional race boat driver is Kenneth Charles (Trinidad and Tobago, b. 1 August 1944) who is 75 years and 17 days old, as verified in TT on 17 August 2019. Mr Kenneth Charles has been awarded a lifetime membership from the TTPBA (TT Powerboat Association) for his participation and contribution since the association’s inception in 1970.”

Charles told Newsday on Tuesday, “I am just elated to be in the Guinness Book of Records.”

Charles, who competed in Florida for several years, has only missed one edition of the TT Great Race. Mr Solo has won the TT Great Race 18 times.

Just a few weeks ago, Charles was the driver for Mr Solo again at the 52nd edition of the TT Great Race.

In 2018, Charles’s sister decided to write Guinness World Records to inquire if her brother was the oldest racer in the world.

“Actually it was initiated by my sister and they did all the background checks with her. I was not aware of it so it was a surprise to me,” Charles said.

Charles said on Sunday night he received the news.

Mr Solo has been cutting through the Gulf of Paria in the 130 mile per hour class for years, but when Charles began his journey in racing as a teenager the boats were not as powerful.

“I started racing in 1962. That was off the (Chaguaramas) Yacht Club…I remember my first boat was doing 44 miles (per hour) and that was the fastest boat around,” Charles said laughing.

Speaking more about the early days, Charles said, “I remember the first boat we had was two friends and myself – George Halloute and Victor Abraham. We bought a third-hand boat from a fisherman. It was a 15-foot pirogue with a seagull engine, a five-horse power engine and we use to go down the islands with that.”

Charles, who grew up in Woodbrook, at the time was about 15 years old and a student at Fatima College in Port of Spain.

Charles did not compete in the first edition of the Great Race in 1969 because Mr Solo was still being built.

Charles said 2021 may be his last year of competing in the Great Race.

“Maybe next year might be my last, then I hand it over to my son Hayden…I might still do some circuit racing. I think I will let him take over the race, give him a chance now.”

When asked if he was satisfied with the number of youngsters competing, Charles said, “You even have two boats from Tobago. The nice thing about the Great Race (now) you have different classes (so) it is open to everyone.”

Charles, in his message to young racers, said, “Love the sport, pay attention to the sea and just be careful. It is a tough sport, especially the Great Race.”

Experienced photographer Ronald Daniel, who has captured images of the Great Race since the mid-1970s, was proud of Charles’s accomplishment.

“That is great, that is real great. I always say that man is a legend. That is fantastic.”

Daniel said if it was not for people like Charles, Carlos Sabga and Brian Bowen the powerboat racing association will not be what it is today. “If it was not for them that association would not have reached far. They had really started the powerboat association…they got together and form the powerboat association and after that decided to put rules and regulations and safety. Safety is always the first priority in the powerboat racing, they don’t make joke with that.”

Jason Ross of Mobil Outlaw, the first boat to Tobago in the 2020 Great Race held last month, also gave his thoughts on Charles. Ross, Mobil Outlaw’s throttleman, said, “For me that is phenomenal. What other 76-year-old man is racing an offshore race boat. It is an inspiration to all young racers that you never have to give up your passion until you really cannot physically do it any more. At 76, that is a real testament that you are a true pioneer of the sport.”

This story has been adjusted to include additional details. See original post below.

POWERBOAT racer Ken Charles has been recognised by Guinness World Records as the oldest professional powerboat racer in the world.

Charles, 76, the driver of perennial TT Great Race winner Mr Solo, has been racing since the early 1960s, before the Great Race began.

The Guinness World Records website posted on Monday, “The oldest professional race boat driver is Kenneth Charles (Trinidad and Tobago, b. 1 August 1944) who is 75 years and 17 days old, as verified in TT on 17 August 2019. Mr Kenneth Charles has been awarded a lifetime membership from the TTPBA (TT Powerboat Association) for his participation and contribution since the association's inception in 1970.”

Charles told Newsday on Tuesday, “I am just elated to be in the Guinness Book of Records.”

Charles, who competed in Florida for several years, has only missed one edition of the TT Great Race. Mr Solo has won the TT Great Race 18 times.