FORMER European Jet Sport champion Simon Belcher will make his return to the prestigious category later this week, some 18 years since winning the coveted title – and the Swindon sportsman is setting his sights high as he mounts a challenge for the 2018 crown at Belgium’s Eau d’Heure Lakes.

Belcher, team principal of race-winning Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship squad DUO Motorsport with HMS Racing, was also in Jet Sport action this past weekend in Belgium during the latest round of the national series where he finished an impressive second overall.

Going into this weekend’s eagerly awaited European Championship, the Wiltshire competitor is in terrific form having won four of his last six races and is aiming for a strong performance in a field which will comprise more than 200 riders from 30 different countries.

“It really is very exciting to be rejoining the European Championship for the first time in 17 years and while I’m sure it’s going to be a major challenge and a real test against so many talented riders from across the world, I can’t wait to get stuck-in”, said Belcher.

“This past weekend in the Belgian Championship went very well for us, I was delighted with second overall and it’s a great springboard for the Europeans a few days from now. It’s no secret I’ve missed the competitive aspect of being behind the wheel myself in the BTCC, so when the opportunity to return to Jet Sport racing came along I had to take it!”

Announcing his intention to return to European Jet Sport Championship action back in February, having returned to true competitive action on the water last year for the first time since 2001 with a part campaign in the British Jet Sport Championship with Dean’s Team Yamaha, Belcher has made a seamless transition back to the discipline.

In the European Championship, the former Euro title winner and four-time British Champion will be riding a supercharged Dean’s Team Yamaha GP1800 in the premier four-stroke class.

Racing at the Eau d’Heure Lakes will begin on Thursday, with the action continuing through to Sunday. The event will be hosted by the Belgian Jet-Ski Federation, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year.

Belcher’s Jet Sport racing this year is being supported by a strong portfolio of sponsors including TH1RST Energy Water, Retrojet, Dean’s Team Yamaha, AVOS Watersports Den, VP Fuels, TH Whites Motor Group, ZX1, Alsa Automotive and Finch Signs.