Negotiator heads skywards Enlarge Image

Parsonage, from Liskeard in Cornwall, and New Zealand co-driver Peter McGrath were on the first lap of the Class 1 Grand Prix in Doha, Qatar.

Space was tight as they rounded the first corner and Negotiator's nose reared into the air.

The pair recovered to take fifth place and move into sixth overall.

It's racing, no-one gives an inch Chris Parsonage

Parsonage, 46, said: "Everyone was running hard as we got to the start/finish line at the end of the opening lap and we just had no where to go as we all made the turn.

"The front went up and up, there was nothing we could do but pray she didn't flip - that would have been it - season over.

"It's racing, no-one gives an inch."

Plymouth-based property developer Parsonage's first year in Class 1 powerboating has had its fair share of ups and downs.

Negotiator suffered a broken propeller in August in Oslo and a broken trim ran in Plymouth in July. Parsonage now faces two more races in the United Arab Emirates to improve his position in the final rankings.