Fazza shine in Abu Dhabi

Saturday, Nov 21, 2009

Gulf News

Abu Dhabi The race for the Class 1 World Championship has come down to just one point with three races remaining following a brilliant start-to-finish victory by Dubai's Arif Al Zafeen and Nadir Bin Hindi on Fazza at the opening round of the Abu Dhabi Class 1 Grand Prix.

The current Class 3 World Champions remain on course for a stunning double after storming home to win the eleven-lap 53.33Nm race 25 seconds ahead of stable-mates Mohammad Al Muhairi and Jean Marc Sanchez in Victory 1. Making it a great debut race for the UAE capital, home favourite Ahmad Al Hamli steered Italy's Giovanni Carpitella to third place in Sea Dubai.

The result means Bin Hindi and Al Zafeen lead the chase for the most prestigious crown in powerboat racing by just a point after their fifth win in seven starts this year.

"We knew we were in for a tough fight today, especially with the rough section at the start of the race," said a smiling Bin Hindi after throttling home the boat at an average speed of 187.72kmph.

Crucial factor

"It may only have been a part of the race that was used once but it was absolutely crucial to be ahead coming into the flatter water off the corniche. Our boat isn't set up for those type of conditions — the waves were six foot out there — and we almost lost it twice so to get to the turn buoy ahead of the others was the key to the win."

Despite another remarkable win that followed on from their Pole Position success earlier in the day, Bin Hindi refused to get carried away with what is becoming a near-perfect season for the black boat.

"How much is the advantage? One point? That's definitely not enough when you have guys as good as Mohammad and Jean Marc breathing down your neck," he added.

Despite Bin Hindi's caution, Sanchez and Al Muhairi know hopes of a world championship-winning season may be out of their hands. "We tried our hardest to get ahead of them [Fazza] and make that first turn in the lead as we knew how difficult it would be to get past them," said Sanchez. "It's completely different in a race situation when the water is churned up in front of you and you're losing speed while trying to catch the guys in front.

The Class 1 World Championship now looks like a two-horse race between Fazza and Victory 1 after their nearest rivals Tom Barry Cotter and Pal Nilsen saw their chances all but vanish due to engine trouble.

Abu Dhabi Class 1 Grand Prix:

1. Fazza - Bin Hindi/Al Zafeen (UAE)31m:15.20s (187.72kmph)

2. Victory 1 - Al Muhairi/Sanchez (UAE/Fr)31m:40.98s (185.18kmph)

3. Sea Dubai - Al Hamli/Carpitella (UAE/I)32m:13.37s (182.08kmph)

4. Welmax - Tandberg/Selmer (Nor)32m:16.25s (181.08kmph)

5. GiorgiOffshore - Giorgi/Zaborowski (I/Nor)32m:40.21s (179.58kmph)

results

Staff Report