Yacht crew reunited for Rolex Fastnet Race 2005

Simon Le Bon, former owner and sailor of Drum announces his intent to race the boat in this year Fastnet race, raising funds for the RNLI. The present owner Arnold Clark has recently refitted the yacht ready for the coming season © Marc Turner / www.pfmpictures.co.uk

Simon Le Bon the lead singer of pop legends DURAN DURAN today (Monday 16th May) announced his plans at a press launch in Glasgow, to race the super yacht DRUM again this Summer by entering the world famous Rolex Fastnet Yacht Race on the 7th August 2005.

Le Bon who escaped death after his yacht Drum capsized in bad weather off the coast of Falmouth whilst competing in the 1985 Fastnet Race, will be reunited for the first time with the original crew members. The reunion will mark the crew's 20th anniversary of Drum's last attempt at the 1985 race.

The yacht now renamed "ARNOLD CLARK DRUM" is owned by leading Scottish entrepreneur and businessman Sir Arnold Clark. Sir Arnold , kindly agreed to loan the yacht to Le Bon and his crew and become the primary sponsor when he heard about their plans for Drum to race again and to raise awareness of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI). Sir Arnold Clark is the Chairman & Chief Executive of the Arnold Clark motoring group and has guided the company to its current status as the largest independent motoring group in the UK and one of the largest automotive companies in Europe.

The biennial Rolex Fastnet Race is considered to be one of the world's classic ocean races, the 608-mile course is a test for skippers and crews with its tricky tidal currents and changeable weather conditions. The race, organised by the Royal Ocean Racing Club, with the Royal Yacht Squadron and the Royal Western Yacht Club, Plymouth will start on Sunday 7th August 2005, off Cowes, Isle of Wight. The Royal Ocean Racing Club's classic event will attract in the region of 250 yachts this year.

The "ARNOLD CLARK DRUM" crew includes all but one of the surviving members. Joining Simon Le Bon are; Skip Novak, John Fitzgerald, Phil Wade, John Irving, Paul Berrow, Mike Berrow, Terry Gould, Rick Tomlinson, Chris Baker, Max Bourgeois, Roger Nilson, Phil Holland, Neil Cheston, Bruno Peyron, Pascal Pellet Finet, Chas From Tas, Trevor Dowe, Phil Barret, Johhny Le Bon, Johnson Woodison, Malcolm McKeag, John Toon, Micke Olsen and Magnus Olson

Sir Arnold Clark of the Arnold Clark Organisation commented; "When I heard about Simon's plans to race the yacht again with the original crew and to raise awareness of the R.N.L.I, I was absolutely delighted to offer my help and assistance. Since I acquired Drum, the yacht has become one of my biggest passions in life. Normally it's the keys to cars that I'm used to handing over to customers, not the keys to my yacht! It will be a proud moment to see her entering the race again in August. We wish Simon and the rest of the crew, the very best and look forward to seeing Drum at the finishing line"

Jacaranda Films has the exclusive rights to film on board "ARNOLD CLARK DRUM" in this year's Rolex Fastnet Race. Two camera crews, using the latest light weight cameras with night vision, will film 24 hours a day during the race. A helicopter and a rib will cover the start of the race. A further rib will meet the yacht as she rounds the Fastnet Lighthouse. Her return to Plymouth will also be covered by air and sea positions. The footage from on board the yacht, plus interviews with the crew and archive material from 1985 will be used to make a one hour documentary about the yacht and her crew finishing the Rolex Fastnet Race they started 20 years ago.

Simon Le Bon has taken time out of his busy touring schedule with DURAN DURAN to enter the race in August. The band who reformed in 2001 have enjoyed a hugely successful comeback since the original five members of Simon Le Bon, Nick Rhodes, John Taylor, Roger Taylor and Andy Taylor were reunited. Together they have performed to in excess of 1.5 million fans across the globe enjoying sell out arena and stadium concerts across the UK, US, Japan and Australia. Their new album "Astronaut" which rocketed into the UK charts at #3 also achieved critical acclaim along with the singles "Sunrise" and What Happens Tomorrow".

Duran Duran have just completed a 44 date US arena tour performing to 450,000 fans and will later this month perform their only UK stadium show at Birmingham City Football club on the 28th May for 28,000 fans before continuing with their European Tour. Duran Duran's career has spanned 26 years and achieved 70 million record sales and countless hit records. The band has also been honoured with no less than three prestigious "Lifetime Achievement" awards from the MTV Video Music Awards, Q Magazine and the BRITS since they reformed in 2001.

Commenting on the forthcoming Rolex Fastnet race and being reunited with the yacht, Simon Le Bon said; "I am thrilled that we are able to race Drum again and for Sir Arnold Clark's generosity in loaning the yacht for the race. It will be a very special moment being back on board with the original crew members, we went through a great deal together in 1985 let's hope that this time we finish the race. Something else that motivates us to do this, is to raise awareness of the valuable work of the RNLI and the search & rescue teams who we all owe a great debt of gratitude to. We felt it was very important to highlight the tireless work of the RNLI and its dedicated team of volunteers."