Race Director Ernie Mello expects tomorrow’s ‘Round the Island’ powerboat race to be one of the most exciting in recent memory after confirming champion Jermaine Butterfield and Kareem Johnson will move up a class to race in the S-class division.Last year saw Jermaine Butterfield’s bat boat claim line and D-Class honours, and this year he has moved up to the S-Class where his skills are sure to be put to the test against the likes of seasoned campaigners Andy Stoneham and Ricky Sousa.Stoneham will race this year with family member Anthony, while the dark horse will be S-7, driven by Derrick Seymour and Shaki Easton, who are former drivers of the Stoneham’s racing camp.Director Mello is excited to see how the racing unfolds and is predicting a close race from start to finish.“This year will very exciting with the most boats in the C class in quite some time, the Stonehams will be challenged by the champions who are stepping up in class as well as the younger riders in the class,” he said.“You never know what will happen on the day so it will be interesting to see how the day unfolds.“Overall, it will be a fun-filled day with lots of excitement and we hope everyone comes out to enjoy the day.“This year we are emphasising care, caution, and courtesy on the water and this way we can have a great day.”Thirty-two boats in ten separate classes will battle it out honours when racing kicks off at 1.55 pm at Ferry Reach, with the T class heading out first.There are no jet skis competing this year for the first time in 10 years due to a low turnout in the class during regular racing at Ferry Reach this season.In the FB class, defending champion Tonka Simpson will do battle with Chris Roque Stephen DeSilva,while Howard Ascento and Stuart Durham are among the pre-race favourites in the C class.Bobby DeCosta and Graham Sutherland are pre race favourites in the D class, and David Selley is a hot favourite in the Stock D class.Twin brother Mark Selley finds himself among the favourites to walk away with the B class, while the Thundercats Class is expected to go to Jonathan GaugainThe father and son team of Greg Simons and Greg Focke have been solid this summer and on current form cannot be ruled out as pre-race favourites in the A Class.Former PHC footballer Kenny Mills is the sole entry in the E class.