Origins
HTS 858
Commissioned in 1969 by transport magnate Ralph Hilton, the boat was named HTS after his company, Hilton Transport Services. She carried race number 858 — Hilton’s east London area dialling code — and wore pale blue and white livery matching his company vehicles. She was a sister ship to Tommy Sopwith’s T2.
Jimmy Brooker, an engineer at Hilton Transport, was enlisted as race mechanic. It was the beginning of a long career in powerboat racing that would follow the boat through its most celebrated years.
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 Hagan Era
Apache
The boat passed through several owners — David Blackford, Charles Gill and John Craxford — before David Hagan acquired her and renamed her Apache. 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 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
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 the turbos start working, at which split second the tow rope was jettisoned from the bow. Anita Hagan manned the bow, carefully shimmying back along the deck once Apache was 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
In 1979, Apache won the British Championship, the European Class II Championship and the World Class II Championship in Venice. Tim Mellery-Pratt navigated Apache to her Cowes-Torquay-Cowes Class win the same year.
“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. 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 the Museum closed in 2009.
The Restoration
Nick Wilkinson
With Apache back in David Hagan’s barn and no clear path forward, Nick Wilkinson arrived in 2011 with a plan to restore her to racing condition. A member of the Classic Offshore Powerboat Club, Wilkinson undertook a comprehensive rebuild: twin Perkins 300hp diesels, ZF gearboxes, Lancing Marine surface drives and Clements shafts with surface-piercing propellers. The hull was repainted, rewired and replumbed.
Wilkinson returned Apache to competitive racing, entering the 2013 Venice-Monte Carlo Prologue with co-driver Matt Wilson carrying the number 555 for the first time. Once the Perkins sponsorship ran its course, Nick returned Apache to a close match of her original colours.
“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 find the next custodian. Peter Bonham Christie and Nick Wilkinson found a deal.
Key Dates
A Career in Numbers
HTS 858 debuts
Wins the 178-mile Inverness to Dundee leg of the Daily Telegraph-BP Round Britain Powerboat Race in dense fog.
London to Monte Carlo
Crewed by Eddie Chater, Mike Bellamy and Jim Brooker, HTS wins the longest offshore powerboat race ever held.
World Class II Champion
Under David Hagan, Apache wins the British Championship, European Championship and World Class II Championship in Venice. 11 wins from 13 starts.
Restoration begins
Nick Wilkinson acquires Apache and undertakes a comprehensive rebuild, returning her to competitive offshore racing.
555 is born
Apache races the Venice-Monte Carlo Prologue carrying the number 555 for the first time, with co-driver Matt Wilson.
A new chapter
Peter Bonham Christie becomes custodian. Apache returns to the UKOPRA Championships and the Cowes Torquay Powerboat Race.