As many as 18 drivers have been confirmed for the Muscat round of the President's Cup F2 Powerboating Championship to be held there from February 5-7.
Abdul Salam Fayrooz, the promoter for the F2 series, informed the Gulf News that four drivers from the original list had dropped off from the Muscat round citing varied reasons.
"But we still have a strong field for the Muscat race and we're prepared for some exciting competition next week," Fayrooz said.
Not participating in the Muscat race will be Qatar's Mubarak Al Hajri, the UK's Larry Gage and Jeff Holink Warthe and Norway's lone lady driver, Marit Stromoy.
Al Hajri and Gage are being kept away from the Muscat competition due to prior business engagements, while Gage is yet to start participating on the circuit. Stromoy has been kept waiting to start this year as her new boat is yet to arrive from the manufacturers in Denmark.
"She will join the circuit from the Qatar round (March 7)," said Fayrooz.
The UAE's Thani Al Qamzi presently leads the championship with 40 points having won both the rounds held in Fujairah and Abu Dhabi earlier this month. Team-mate Awadh Al Qubaisi is in second, while Pelle Larsson of Sweden is in third.
The Muscat round of the President's Cup F2 Championship will be held at the Mina Sultan Qaboos area from February 5-7. The organising committee of the Oman race have managed to rope in the event as a part of the ongoing Muscat Festival.
"This will give the event the right type of exposure and the participation from the spectators and sponsors will be bigger and better," Fayrooz said.
Fayrooz voiced his appreciation for Abdullah bin Abbas bin Ahmed, the chairman of Muscat Municipality, for working tirelessly for the inclusion of the race as part of the festival.
"Muscat and Oman will also benefit by giving us this official status as channels like Al Jazira TV and the Abu Dhabi Sports Channel will be telecasting the race live all over the world," the race promoter noted.
Gulf News 2003
