Large lorries strung across the canal banks promoting sponsors, beer tents, RVs and millions of pounds worth of powerboats set the scene. Music was pumped into the air with engine fumes, anxiety and adrenalin to once again create that unique Diamond Race atmosphere.

Former world champion and eighties legend Danny Bertels was there promoting his balloon flights and faces new and old from throughout Europe merged here to get ready for Europe's major event of 1998.

With four races on the cards, Sunday 31 May was about to be busy, providing ten thousand spectators with first class value for money. Around six thousand paid their