AYLBURTON Common has a world champion in its midst thanks to local man Ian Blayney's success in the high octane world of offshore powerboat racing

Ian, 29, has just enjoyed a record-breaking year as a key member of the Dubai Victory Team, the powerful racing team backed by the famous Maktoum family.

Working as a leading mechanic on the diesel-powered Victory 7, Ian played a vital role in the performances of the 160 mph powerboat which took the Victory Team to its first Class One World Championship – the equivalent of motor racing's F1 title – since 1996.

"We worked round-the-clock many times to get the boat ready for the nine races across Europe and in the Middle East," said Ian, who recently returned to Aylburton from his temporary base in Dubai for his brother's wedding.

"There was a lot of hard work and frayed nerves but winning the world championship and races in Turkey made it all worthwhile."

A member of the team for three years, Ian used to work at Simpson Engineering in Alvington. From 1990 to 1997, he travelled the world working on racing cars from such legendary names as Porsche and Ferrari.

But it's as a leading offshore mechanic that he has made his name helping Victory 7 to third place in the 1997 championship and the runners-up spot last year before capping his time in Dubai with the ultimate prize in the sport.

"It has been an amazing year for Victory 7," he added. "As well as the Class One World Championship, we also won the European Championship and the Pole Position event – something no-one has ever done in one season."

After a punishing year, the Victory Team will now take stock and prepare for the 2000 racing season which already has races planned in France, Portugal, Norway, Italy, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates. And after a supreme year, it will be Victory 7 which starts as favourite.

Ian is well aware of the challenge ahead. "Defending the title will be much tougher than actually winning it but we have done it once and I am sure, with a bit of luck, we can do it again. We like the title of World Champions and intend to enjoy it for quite a long time to come."