In terms of achievements on the world sporting stage very few can compare with former Formula One Powerboat ace Jonathan Jones of Cardigan and yet the retired bank clerk’s success has never received recognition from the establishment.

To recall a brilliant record Jones was crowned world champion on four occasions and also finished second and third a number of times in one of the most thrilling and dangerous sports on the planet.

It is many moons since the speedster, now aged 63, and an F1 powerboat builder and race commentator for TV channels, competed at the highest level.

Some of the world stars during his time on the water included the greatest of them all Italian Guido Cappellini who won ten world championships, Michael Werner of Germany, Bill and Mike Seebold of the USA, England’s Mark Wilson and Cees Van der Veldan of Holland.

Father of three Jones started racing as a 15-year-old in a monohull boat with a 25hp engine in events on the River Teifi.

He graduated to Formula Grand Prix racing in 1982, finished second in the world championship in 1985 and the following year stormed to victory, a feat he repeated in 1989.

His third world championship win in 1991 was the most amazing of the four as he was involved in a horrific crash in the Hungarian Grand Prix.

He suffered compound leg fractures and underwent several operations, which threatened to keep him sidelined.

But the Welshman wanted to compete and made a comeback with a win at Bristol Docks to set up a final Grand Prix decider against Michael Werner with Jones taking the chequered flag.

He pouched his fourth title in 1998 and has since been honoured by his home town where a plaque in his honour was erected on the quayside near the Teifi.

In the years since there have been questions asked why a UK sportsman who did his country proud by claiming four world titles has not been officially acknowledged – suggestions have included an OBE and MBE.