Wednesday, Mar 20, 2013

Dubai:Two boats representing Gabon, one of which will be driven by former multiple F1 world champion Jay Price, will take centre-stage at the third round of the 2013 UIM X-CAT World Powerboat Series at the Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC) this weekend [March 21-23].

“We are all set and ready to go,” Saif Al Ketbi, President, World Professional Powerboat Association (WPPA) told Gulf News.

Much of the attention will be on the two-boat debutants in the 2013 UIM X-CAT World Powerboat Series from Gabon. One of the boats has been adorned in the national flag colours of blue, yellow and green while the other boat bears a representation for the continent of Africa.

American Price, a popular figure on the F1 scene till his retirement from the series a couple of years ago, will be making the switch to the X-CAT Series along with former Formula 2 rival Sultan Al Dhaheri.

Both Gabon boats will be run by the Victory Team set-up, who are also responsible for assisting in the logistics. “The idea is to broaden the base of this brand of powerboat racing,” Dr Al Ketbi said.

“The idea is also to start preparing a new breed of young drivers who will be ready to step up on the international stage following a development programme set up by the WPPA,” he added.

Going into this weekend’s third round of the seven-round series, the Fazza pairing of Mohammad Al Merri and Arif Saif Al Zafein are at the top of the overall standings after wins in the first two heats with 800 points.

Last year’s runners-up Mouawad, with Omar Danial and Gary Ballough at the helm have continued being the early challengers to the world champions with a couple of second place finishes for a tally of 600 points. The Qatar Team of Mohammad Al Nasser and Hamad Jasim Zayed is in third overall with 352 points.

The Fazza boat has also been in good form in the Speed Cat Run races with two top finishes for a maximum 20 points, leaving stablemate Victory Team in second with 14 points and the Qatar Team and Spirit of Dubai in joint third with ten points apiece.

Plans are on to have a fourth round of the X-CAT World Powerboat Series in Abu Dhabi in the first half of April before teams head off on their international assignments starting with a round in Gabon this summer.

As per the final count, as many as 13 boats have been confirmed for this weekend’s racing. The mandatory briefing for drivers followed by a meeting of team owners will be held at the DIMC at 5 pm on Thursday.

By Alaric Gomes Senior Reporter

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