Abdul Salam Fairooz - F2 Promoter !

Its official, Abdul Salam Fairoox is the UIM promoter for F2. Jenny Jelf confirms this, and we have already been comminicating with Abdul, and we will have achat with him soon.

Abdul Salam has worked very hard to achive his gold, Worldchampionship promoter 2009. 

Already when this photo was taken back in fall 07, Abdul Salam was aiming for 09."Im not ready yet, but I will for 2009 season, then I have my sponsors and all organized he said, and so he did. GGICO is announced as his Gold Sponsor and the show continues. 

" I was pleased with the the election, and Im happy with the great support from council – It was not a close race in the end. Ive promoced them to continue and develope the class, remember, its now my work for the last 15 year, to achive this gold today makes me very happy" said Abdul Salam on the phone from Australia.

F2 Into the future - Updated

The 2008 GA is in Australia, and as fare we know, all the delegates have arrived safely. From the Formula 2 side, we are of cause very interested in how the election will be. We think the game is between Abdul Salam Fairooz and the Abu Dhabi Club. >Read more<

On 20th September we published the news “”http://f2boat.com/news/show/10929" target="_blank"> SCOTT GILLMAN HOPES A.D.I.M.S.C. COMES OUT A WINNER! And a few days later we could read that also Nicolo San germano, the Formula 1promoter showed his interest. > “Everyone wants F2”< and I guess if you read my website you know how the ball has been rolling. 

The World Cup then moved onto Saudi Arabia, and on 1st of October the staff from Abdul Salam announced something special in Saudi Arabia. It was going to be the best race ever, but instead – when Abdul needed it the most, he was let down by his administration. The race was not to standard, and we have later learned that Abdul Salam has fired part of his administration, and he is now proud to present his new partner. Fujairah International Marine Sport Club. 

Ahamed Ibrahim and his crew have been more than helpful over the years, and they have hosted events and helped on organizing. As from the Malaysian round, they will be officially in charge together with the F2 Team association – Jenny Jelf.

Im sure this is a good solution, and I’m expecting success in Sabah, Kota Kinabalu. Malaysia.  

Abdul Salam Fairroz has stated “I really hope its not my last race in F2, as promoter – but regardless, In Malaysia you will see the best show ever” Either as my farewell race, or the start of a very successful championship. 

I hope for the last, and my proposal is ready. On the financial side I trust to have the better deal on the table for the drivers, and they all know my intention" says Abdul Salam. 

“I hope I can share some news with you today” said Abdul Salam in an sms this morning, we hope !

“Formula 2 class has reached a point where they have a uniqe chance”

"I try to look at this with my racing experience, and when I´m now involved I try to see every best way we can help the drivers.

I feel I’m now putting something back into the sport. And, I want to make it clear, I’m not “the” promoter – I’m a part of a team – a team with great experience that is trying to get the job to promote the F2 class for many years" said Scott Gillman on 25th of October, and ended, " I hope, regardless who gets the job from UIM that the drivers will be smart enough to benefit from it. They should, its their class."

 Read the story < here>

So lets see, Jose Luis del Palacio, the man who created and built the class is also in Australia …it will all be decided in a few days – and promoters from all over the world are already there,  So is the Latvian, Modris Kalcniems – Modris have produced the best race this year, with Malaysia yet to come and is still a seriouse contender, but i`ve not seen a proposal yet, but It anyone can host an event, its Modris and Matiss!

( Record number of pilots in Riga )

The only one not there is Leif Ahlborg, he has told the UIM that he will focus on the Scandinavian series, and we support that. Without the local series there will not be a Worldchampionship. 

If you want to follow F2, you can also join the Facebook group ; F2 into the future 

Wow - Selio won the race - but did Jay Win the UIM F1 title ? - updated !

Race is over in China, and once again Jay Price had a fantastic race. Bad luck is over for Sami Selio, as he captured his first victory of 2009. Ahamed Al Hamli finished 3rd and Jonas Andresson 4th with fellow svede Pierre Lundin 5th. Chiappe rounded off the top 6th and Dessertenne made it a good dayfor the Chinese team with 7th. Slakteris was 8th.

I have also looked at the big question, how many points do he need to win the World title? Well -  he needs 4 more points – and 4 points in 2 races should be no problem, but than again – Its racing ! Everything can happen. 

One thing is for sure, its only Jonas Andersson and Sami Selio who has a teoretical chance to beat Jay. IfJay drops out, and not even finish the 2 last races  – and Sami Selio wins both – he will get a total of 87 points. Then Jonas Andersson can finish 2nd in both, and still not make it.. He will end up by a total of 79 points, In this senario – Sami will win it by 2 points – Jay will be 2nd and Jonas Andersson 3rd.. 

BUT, my guess is – Jay Price will earn his first world F1 title in 2008. He will not go down and hump along, Jay Price is attacking, and he has been since the first day I meet him in F2000. Jay will do the job, will the engine ? Cause that´s the only thing that can stop him now. . Well done again Jay, I will cross my fingers for you in the Emirates.

Oh, guess where Jay ended up last year in Abu Dhabi ? hehe, your right. 7th and he scored 4 points – Just what he needs and in Sharjah a week later he finished 2nd and collected another 15 points. My brain fart is that Jay Price will be UIM F1 World champion with over 100 points ! 

Can you do it Jay ? 

The winner, Sami Selio – only once down in 2nd place during the race – and won it with the smallest margin ! Well done Sami, keep it up and fly that BABA !

Official news - 

SAMI SELIO EARNS FIRST VICTORY OF 2008!
JAY PRICE CLOSES IN ON TITLE WITH 2ND PLACE!

 
SHENZHEN, China – October 26, 2008 – Defending World Champion Sami Selio finally put together a weekend he was hoping for by winning a thrilling 1.77 second victory over Jay Price of the Qatar Team and moving up to 3rd place in the championship with 47 points on Lake Shenzhen in front of tens of thousands of fans on a hot and steamy afternoon for 65 laps at the 6th round of the 2008 U.I.M. F1 World Championship for power boating.

While the sold out crowd stood on their feet for most of the race the Woodstock Red Devil Racing Team driver held the point as pressure mounted from the driver from New Orleans, Louisiana who now has moved 36 points in front of the pack with just 40 points still remaining in this season’s championship.

“We got a great start and led from the front and stayed out of trouble early on which helped us tremendously,” stated Selio. “It was very hot and we couldn’t let up for an instant with Jay hounding me the whole time. We still have a slight chance for the championship but it’s really out of hands now. The team did a great job and now we are going to celebrate being back in the number one position with a win today.”

The driver known for over 25 years as the “Ragin Cagin” did his level best to push for the win despite having a severe trim problem that limited his use of getting the most speed out of the DAC boat.

"We had a devil of a time trying to control the boat all day and I had to be very careful in using power because on some parts of the course it would be easy to blow the boat completely over if I wasn’t careful, said Price. “Now with the second place we are so close to the championship we can almost taste it, but we are relentless and will not let our guard down as we head to the United Arab Emirates for the final two races of the year.”

Team Abu Dhabi driver Ahmad Al Hameli reached the podium for the third time this season when he finished a strong 3rd place 4.32 seconds behind the leader at the end. Despite getting on a severe learning curve by switching from his injured BABA boat to a DAC he still has moved up to 4th in the driver’s championship with 40 points.

Ahmad’s teammate Thani Al Qamzi put together a daring move early in the race passing leader Selio at the right hander at the start finish line overtaking for a brief lead in the race on the 8th lap before going out with an engine problem on lap 13 marking the sixth straight time he has failed to pick up points this season.

Swedish driver Jonas Andersson came home a quiet fourth place 19.17 seconds back in his F1 Team Sweden DAC boat and retains his slim shot at taking the 2008 title by gaining nine more points while finishing for the first time without winning a race he has completed.

Fifth was another Swede in Pierre Lundin and the first of the China CTIC Team drivers 30.88 seconds back from Selio and another top five finish this season now sitting sixth in the championship with 31 points.

French driver Philippe Chiappe was 6th picking up points in his sixth consecutive race and 8th in the championship with 29 points for the Atlantic Team.

Fellow Frenchman Philippe Dessertenne got the China CTIC Team their second top-10 performer with the native of La Rochelle coming home 7th and 10th in the championship.

The battle for “Rookie of the Year” honors may be sliding towards Latvian driver Uvis Slakteris as the driver from Riga took 8th in the race and now has four top-10 finishes this season with 17 points.

Italian driver Valerio Lagiannella scored his first ever championship points in his 13th race by coming home ninth in his Rainbow Team DAC boat after moving up from his 19th starting position.

Rounding out the top-10 was Portugal driver Duarte Benavente who drove his Dragon boat from 19th all the way to a point paying position for the second time this season.

 

For additional information, interviews or video footage please contact:
Steve Michael Reporting – Philippe Stiernon F1 Press Officer
 
Professional Photos Service: http://www.f1boatphotos.com

Gordon Sutherland running for Formula Committee Chairman.

Gordon Sutherland is the latest candidate for the position of Chairman of the U.I.M. Formula Committee.

We had a word with him in Jeddah as we thought this a brilliant idea.

Gordon says he is 39 years old, but the truth is, referring to his CV, he has worked in the Marine industry for that time. He lives with his Norwegian wife Mona in England on the South Coast near Brighton. Gordon started in the marine business back in 1969 and has been in it ever since. His love of our sport is obvious and he has worked with some of the best. Jon Jones, Andy Elliott, Perti Leppala and Carlos Maidana with a certain Frode Sundsdal in the other boat in the team. The most satisfying was being involved from the start with the training and development of Humaid Bakhit from the U.A.E.

After months of training and racing in the UK National Championship, Humaid started in his first F1 race in 95 and qualified 4th. “Yes I am pleased to say he was on it from the first day. We trained and tested a number of drivers during our time with the Abu Dhabi Club, but there was no one like Humaid. He was a natural.

It was unfortunate that he had to stop racing after his accident in Moscow in 97”.

“If we had the air bag systems then that we have in the boats now I am sure Humaid would have been OK and probably still racing. Unfortunately for Humaid the air bag system from DAC arrived just after the Moscow accident. But it has saved a number of drivers since”

F2boat.com: Why is it that the airbag is just a European thing?

Your referring to the SST120 and Champ boat in America, well, the first thing I would say is, that it is a no brainer that they run without a proven safety system in the boats that has saved many lives. But the explanation we get is that due to American law you cannot make it mandatory. In the event of an accident the APBA would be responsible if it did not work. Stupid really, but that’s how it is.

F2boat.com: Yes but the endurance classes in Rouen ect is not an American class and still the UIM allows them to race the Endurance World Championship with no crash boxes? Can you explain that one?

At the moment, no. If I become the Chairman of the Formula Committee I would work very hard to clarify and tidy up the whole crashbox issue. From day one this has been very badly managed. I would try to work closely with the Safety Cockpit Committee and find a solution, especially for F2, but as we all know its not finished yet.

I also want the F2 rules frozen for the next 3 years. I hope this would allow the class to grow again without being dumped on with more expensive devises. We need to keep this as a relatively low cost class. I have worked on both sides and I feel very sympathetic to the problems that the drivers have had to put up with the last couple of years.


F2boat.com: Formula Committee Chairman and Sports Commissioner, how do you see that combination?

Well, my good friend Ziggy Boettle has proved it to be successful in F1, so I can see a great advantage actually. Communication is the key to a fruitful co-operation. Being Sport Commissioner at an event allows one to work closely with the drivers and teams and I if I am doing a good job on my side it makes things easier for the drivers also. I am in close contact at the race, I can see and hear first hand what is going on. Not attending just one race a season and not have a clue what needs to be done.

F2boat.com: UIM Commissioners and training. Will there be any?

Yes there will actually. I am leading a Circuit Commissioners Seminar covering the Sports Commissioners job at a typical race event and being assisted by Ziggy covering the Technical Commissioners duties and Bob Wartinger covering the aspects of safety and the Commissioners well being.
For the Commissioners that are not attending the G.A. in Australia, we are hoping to video it and distribute it via the UIM to interested parties.

F2boat.com: Ah, so the UIM lets the best Sports Commissioner run the seminar, smart. Do they also see you, as most of the drivers do, as the best they have?

Do they? Well – I did not know that- but I guess I would be the last to know. Thank you. But you must understand, I am not the right person to answer that question.

C.V. for Gordon Sutherland

D.O.B: 19th May 1947.

2002 – 2008
Sports and Technical Commissioner in Formula 1 World Championship and Formula 2 World Championship, European Championship,
Continental Cup and U.A.E. Presidents Cup.
Sit on the U.I.M. Formula1 and Formula Committees.
Carried out Circuit Design and Homologation for Formula1 and 2.

1998 – 1999:
Assistant Sports Commissioner, Formula 1.
Sat on Formula 1 Committee.

1996 – 1997:
Formula 1 Teams Representative on U.I.M. Formula 1 Committee.

Received the U.I.M. Silver Pin. For services to the U.I.M.

Work History.

I have worked in the marine industry for 39 years.

8 years as an Outboard motor mechanic and engine builder.

11 years as the Service Manager of the Marine Division of Suzuki GB.

2 years as Manager of the Special Marine Products Division of EP Barrus Ltd. The UK distributors of Mercury and Mariner engines.

For the last 18 years I have run my own marine retail business. Specialising in Outboard Motors, Jet Skies and Mercruiser Sterndrive engines. Suzuki, Mariner/Mercury, Mercury Racing and Mercruiser Dealer.

Racing History.

I have raced Pneumatics in the UK. Class National Champion 1970. 3 National Water Speed records.

Engineered and Managed Circuit and Offshore Teams for Suzuki GB from 1978 to 1987.

Ran the complete project for the OCL – Suzuki GB. entry in the 1984 Round Britain Powerboat Race. Result. 1st in class. 5th Overall.

Engineered ‘Fina Unleaded’, the Offshore Class 3, 4lt. World, European and National Championship winning boat in 1988.

Between 1978 and 2001 I have rigged and race prepared numerous boats for both circuit and offshore racing in classes, NE, NF, SD, Formula 4, ON, Formula1 2lt, 2.5lt and 3lt. Class 3 Offshore, 2lt. 4lt and 6lt. O.C.R.D.A. all classes and Class2.

In 1995 I was the engineer for the Abu Dhabi Formula 1 and Formula 2 Teams.

1996 & 1997 I was Team Manager and Engineer for the Abu Dhabi Formula 1 Team.

1998 – 1999. U.I.M. Commissioner.

2000 & 2001 I was engineer for the Texaco Havoline F 1 Team preparing the Johnson 3lt. V6 engines.

2002 – 2008. U.I.M. Commissioner for F1 and F2.

2008 Organised logistics and supplied service support to Suzuki GB for 3 boats in the 2008 Round Britain Powerboat Race. All 3 boats completed every section of the race.
 
F2boat.com: what is the biggest challenge we have in the sport now?

Engines. Definitely engines. We need to work hard to resolve our motor programme. As you know 2 stroke engines are not sold in most of the European countries now. 4 stroke and DFI engines are the future. Through the Powertrain Committee I would like to have an input on the way forward.

As an ‘engine man’ I would hope that I could help them make the decisions needed. Mercury have been very good to the sport for a long time now but in the present economic climate I think we should be trying to open up the classes to more makes whether with stock engines or limited number modified specials for specific classes.

If I get elected I will guarantee that the Formula classes and the UIM will get a very active Chairman.

F2boat.com: Well Gordon. We wish you the best of luck in Australia and we recommend the Council to elect u as our new leader for the Formula classes.

Thanks Frode and thanks to all your many web readers round the world.    

Selio on Pole - and Bocca 50 ?

Looking at the pictures from China, the Finn is flying, and Steve celebrates Bocca´s 50 year birthday.

With a good start, and race in the weekend – Sami can be the one who moves up most. With 27 point – a + 20 point result would be fantastic, and would not troubble Jay Price a lot, as long he stays on the podium. Jay Price is 30 points a head, and simply just need to finish a few race..

lets see tomorrow, it will be a fantastic race, Im sure !

SAMI SELIO TAKES 2^ND STRAIGHT POLE IN CHINA!
AL QAMZY 2^ND AND PRICE 3^RD!

SHENZHEN, China – October 25, 2008 – Defending World Champion Sami Selio of the Woodstock Red Devil Racing Team set a blistering pace of over 175.84 kph around the five turn 1.580 kilometer course on Lake Shenzhen to take pole position for tomorrow’s Ninth Grand Prix of China along the edge of the South China Sea.

The driver from Helsinki, Finland now is determined to finish what he has started after two weeks ago leading and failing to finish the race in Liuzhou, China greatly hurting his dream for back to back world titles.

“Today, we had the good luck and everything fell together for us,” stated Selio. “Now we will focus all our attention on winning for the first time this season and hopefully still have a sliver of a chance to take another title. But, believe me we will need help this time around if we are going to get this mission accomplished.”

Starting next to him in the second position will be another driver who has suffered nothing but frustration this season in Team Abu Dhabi driver Thani Al Qamzi who has done everything he can to put a stamp on being a legitimate candidate for a world championship, but who has unbelievably failed to gain even one point this season.

“We are still learning how to setup and drive this new DAC boat that we received just recently,” said Thani. “Now I am happy with my boat and have a different strategy for tomorrow’s event and think we can get either a win or reach the podium. This is our goal.”

In the third position isQatar Team driver Jay Price as he gets set to begin another journey as he takes another step towards he hopes will be his first world title. His qualifying with a 34.5 second lap gave the driver from New Orleans, Louisiana his best qualifying performance is his 20 race U.I.M. F1 World Championship career as the veteran looks to reach the podium and continue to rack up more valuable points.

 Jay’s consistency has placed him a solid 30 points clear of second place driver Jonas Andersson who will start next to him in the fourth position off the dock with a 35.08 second lap. The 33 year-old driver of the F1 Team Sweden effort needs to win in the worst way or at least have Price drop out of the event in order for him to have a solid shot at the title with just three races to go in the calendar

Francesco Cantando of Italy will start his best place off the dock this season in 5^th racing the Singha Team boat after doing a 35.55 second lap while Team Abu Dhabi fellow drive Ahmad Al Hameli will start sixth after missing his attempt to run in the final “shootout” session of two solo laps after a mechanical problem kept him in the paddock.

Seventh will be another Swedish driver in Pierre Lundin of the CTIC China Team with a 35.57 lap. Italian Fabio Comparato will start eighth going for his 3^rd straight podium in his 800 Doctor BABA boat.

Ninth will be the Russian driver Stanislav Kourtsenovsky in the Tamoil F1 DAC as the driver from St. Petersburg looks for his first ever podium finish. Rounding out the top-10 qualifiers is French driver Philippe Chiappe of the Atlantic Team who recorded a 36.63 fast time as he also chases his first ever podium.

Third place driver in the World Championship David Trask from Australia had a terrible afternoon as he ended up switching boats settling for 17^th place on the grid and at the same time now will have to come charging up from the back of the grid to have any hope of reaching the podium and his slipping chances of getting a first world title at the same time.

Italian Ivan Brigada is filling in for last years winner here in Shenzhen Guido Cappellini who was red carded at the last event and will have to sit out this weekend.

All together 21 drivers from four different continents are here for the 1500 local (0800 GMT) start of the 9^th Grand Prix of China. It should be something special.

All in for Trask, but Jay continues to impress..

Jay has his act together in China, and posted the best times in free and first time trial. David Trask has an all in style – as he hunts for his first # 1 finish !

Read more.. 

First free Practice..

First time trial

I´m back online -

First of all, I´ve like to say thank you for all the emails Ive had. Its good too feel that the site has been missed. To me it means a lot that you enjoy the daily updates. Well, I can promice you they will continue. I´ve unfortunally just had the worst time of my life.

It´s been a while since I updated, and I have decided to share it with you why.

I guess all of you know my son, Maximillian. He is now 3yr old. As you all understand as well, he is everything to me.

Well, last weekend we were in Tønsberg, visiting Tone, my girlfriend and Maximillian loves a park called Jungle City. A huge playground for kids, so even he did not feel 100% we went down for some action, and we got action – Plenty . .

When I was racing in Egypt, Cathy, Maximillian´s mom told me that he had fever cramp, but honestly – I did not know what that was till Saturday.

Maximillian was running around, playing super hero as everyone else, and wanted to step into the ball room. So he did.

He loves it, swimming around in the small balls are super, but it was turning into action, because Maximillian got fever, and his temp raised very very fast, so fast that he vent into coma, and it happen in a split of a second from being a happy kid, to be a little helpless stiff boy.

I tried to get into thrue the emergency door, but this was closed, so I had to crawl the channels – meant for the kids. When I was inside – I was trapped as well, and time started to run out. I decided to bring him out the same way he got in, thru the small tubes. I was shit scared, as Maximillian did not breath, and is lips turned blue.

Outside I started with recovery, and mouth to mouth – but Maximillian had been stepped on, so his jaw was locked up, and he had swallowed his tong. Once this was open, I started again, but this time blood came out his nose, cause when he had the cramp and went into coma somebody kicked his nose, while he laid there, and he had started to bleed. Not out, but filling up that small little nose, so the dramatic issue was the fact that he almost drowned by his own blood.

I had to placed my mouth gently over his nose, and sucked up his blood, to open up his nose, so he could breath, and after this Maximillian started to “come back”.

He passed out a few times before the ambulance arrived, but now he did at least breath. When he was placed in the ambulance, i had to sit in the front, and i could not hear him – no crying – no noice. 1 million thoughs went true my head. 

It’s easy to say, the worst experience in life. I was soo scared to loose him, and I was so sure I did when we was in the middle of it, terrible feeling, and I will never be the same person after this.

When we arrived at the hospital, some 11 or 12 people waited for us, and it was a big shock – seeing all this specialist over little Maximillian. 

After Maximillian was treated in hospital, he quickly recovered, and even he is still a bit tired – he was now back playing with the other kids for a few hours today. It’s just so good to see him run around, but I guess all parents can understand that.

So, what has this to do with racing?

Well, we are all family, and family shares good and bad. Its just not just an explanation for why I did not update, something so little as a website, but its an question for help. From all of you.

When all this went on, a nurse, one of the other parents watched me, fighting for my sons life, she called me later that night, saying – " I followed every move you did, and you did everything you had to do right to help ur son, and thank god she said, because all the other people in the room only watched like they was in shock"

I think about this a lot, and Im pretty sure that we, the racers are used to extreme situations, and dealing under stress makes us capable to do so, and I’m proud for it. It’s a great feeling to help Maximillian, because it’s my job. I’m his father, but I would like to ask all of you. Have you done a lifesaver course lately? What would you do if you were the first on spot of an accident? Could you save the life of your son or daughter?

If your not sure of the answer, check it out, and take a course now. I know I will do once a year, because not more than one offered help to me out of maybe 100 persons the day I needed help most, to save Maximillians life. .

So, there you have me, I have spend my time with Maximillian the last week, sorting my head out -  and I had a reality check on whats important or not…

Love ya all,

 Frode 

Steve Curtis is back - Pole in Egypt.

Steve Curtis and Hassan Al Thani in Qatar 96 posted pole in egypt, 12,27 sec ahead of Victory 1.

UIM F1...

JAY PRICE READY TO MAKE STATEMENT IN SHENZHEN!
IS HE GOING FOR A WIN OR JUST CONSISTANCY?

SHENZHEN, China – October 24, 2008 – Relaxed, ready and full of confidence Qatar Team driver Jay Price is set to begin another journey as he takes another step towards his dream of winning his first U.I.M. F1 World Championship on Lake Shenzhen this Sunday afternoon before a sold out audience of over 50,000 race fans in this Southern Chinese city.

The driver from New Orleans, Louisiana and who with his truly international crew made up of Italians, Americans and Qatari personnel are putting the finishing touches of a DAC boat that has been battle tested through the rigors of his aggressive driving since the first race of this year’s campaign. The 2008 craft has been cut-up, sewn together and re-rigged at least 3 times and finally shipped back to Italy for extensive repairs over the summer months in order for it to be refreshed for the rigors of the final three months of the season.

The driver, who has over 30 years of racing experience behind him, isn’t frazzled easily to the pressures of either the extreme heat on or off the water that will be prevalent here on the edge of the South China Sea this weekend.

“The intense heat will play a factor in the race.” said Jay. “However, I am from Slidell, Louisiana where it is hot and humid for most of the year, so this will be a normal weekend for me as conditions play out. We don’t need to win, we need to be consistent and then if that plays out we will be a good position to wrap up our dream season in the Emirates in December. Podiums now give you championships later.”

The Qatar Team driver knows that if he can just keep out of harms way like he did in Liuzhou, China two weeks ago, he’ll be in a good position to gather his fifth straight podium when finishing that dates back to the Sharjah meeting last December when he took second place.

Other drivers aren’t in such a privileged position.

Swedish pilot Jonas Andersson of F1 Team Sweden needs to give it his all not only this weekend, but also in the Emirates if he has any chance at winning a title in 2008. The 33 year-old is currently second and 30 points back of Price in the driver’s championship. He is the only competitor this season who is perfect, he’s won every race he’s finished. The problem is, he’s only finished twice in the first five events and now must get his crew to make his package more reliable and stay out of trouble at the same time. He was running with Price in Liuzhou until he crashed out past the halfway mark of the event. Every win awards the driver who captures first 20 points. Jonas will need some good luck and Jay some bad luck to move up for an Emirates challenge.

David Trask of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia had jumped up into the third spot in the championship thanks to his second podium of the season in Liuzhou where he had his career best 2nd position. He’ll be hoping to take it another step up to the “top of the box” and do it again in the Emirates in December to have any chance at a title as he sits 38 points behind.

In other pit news, Ivan Brigada will be sitting in for suspended Italian driver Guido Cappellini who watched his dreams of a 10th World Championship disappear for a third straight season by crashing and then dropping out of last race and ending his afternoon being red carded for cutting off Ahmad Al Hameli of Team Abu Dhabi and forcing him to crash out at the first pin of the 65 lap event. Brigada has a win on the tour in Qatar back in 2006 and is a reliable replacement for a driver who has a record breaking number of victories but who has also had a checkered past of aggressive driving that has seen him with a history of suspensions.

Jay Price knows all he as to do is finish consistently in the top 5 to take a title, but racing is a funny game and sometimes just when you think you have found the secret, the keys for success fall away. Let’s see if this weekend’s door opens or closes a championship for the likeable driver from Louisiana and the very talented Qatar based multi-national effort.

ABU DHABI TO DOHA TRANS GULF RECORD BID

Its notjust jay Price of the Qatar team that sets records, and travels fast over water. Sh Hassan will establish a record from Abu Dhabi to Doha with a Nor Tech..

ABU DHABI TO QATAR – TRANS GULF RECORD BID
November 13th-15th, 2008

For immediate release
Wednesday, October 15th, 2008

SHEIKH HASSAN ANNOUNCES EXCITING FIRST EDOX  
ABU DHABI TO DOHA TRANS GULF RECORD BID

o    QMSF President aims for record books with twin gas-turbine engined Nor-Tech
o    November date set for high-speed Gulf crossing from the UAE’s capital to Qatar

DOHA (Qatar): His Excellency Sheikh Hassan bin Jabor Al-Thani, the President of the Qatar Marine Sports Federation (QMSF), announced exciting plans for a powerboat speed record attempt on the route between Abu Dhabi and Qatar at a press conference in Doha on Wednesday (today).

Sheikh Hassan, who is better known as the driver of Qatar 96 in the Class 1 World Powerboat Championship, has been planning the ambitious record attempt for some time and has now taken delivery of the new boat that he hopes will cross the Arabian Gulf between the United Arab Emirates and Qatar in record time.

The boat is sponsored by Performance Marine, the local Nor-Tech dealer in association with NBJ Group, as the main partner for the event.

The exact timing of the record attempt will depend upon weather conditions in the Gulf area, but Sheikh Hassan is hoping to make the crossing on November 13th, 14th or 15th.

“We will be starting the attempt from the Corniche in Abu Dhabi and crossing the Gulf to Doha,” enthused Sheikh Hassan. “We have studied the distances very carefully to ensure enough fuel is on board to make the maximum distance of 315 kilometres on the planned route.

”The actual route we take on the day depends on the weather conditions, as we have selected a primary route for calm conditions and a second route, which is 10 to 15 kilometres longer, if we have rougher waters. We have carefully devised the route so that we are outside the regular shipping lanes, so we can have a cleaner, uninterrupted run.“

The choice of course was selected during closed meetings between a QMSF representative and the NBJ Group’s technical co-ordinator to ensure safety on the run. The UIM is also involved as this record run needs to be verified by the sport’s governing body and registered as an official record.

Both routes use a passage to the south of Das Island, with the second, less-direct passage crossing shallower waters near the coast. Sheikh Hassan hopes that the record crossing will take less than two hours and has chosen the month of November because he envisages calmer seas and more stable weather at this time of year.

His new Nor-Tech 50 supercat boat weighs around 9000 kg and is powered by a pair of powerful Lycoming T-53 L-13 BA gas turbine engines.  The power plants have been adapted for marine use by the fitting of ceramic coatings on the hot ends and compressor, powdered coatings on the compressor valves and inlet housing and the fitting of a screened inlet housing with water injection.”

Both engines have been fully dyno-tested before being installed in the race boat, with the first unit delivering 1630 hp and the second also giving 1630hp. “The boat looks beautiful and I am sure it is ideal for the record run,” enthused Sheikh Hassan.

Nor-Tech is America’s leading high-performance boat manufacturer and also launched the Class 1 Nor-Tech experience this year to enable VIPs and guests to take a ride in a leading Class 1-type race hull.

The Lycoming T53 engine is a turboshaft unit used in helicopter applications and fixed-wing turbo prop aircraft. It was originally designed by a team headed by Anselm Franz, who was the chief designer of the Junkers Jumo 004 aircraft. The engine has a five-stage axial compressor and a one-stage centrifugal compressor.

Gas turbine engines work in a relatively straightforward manner. The compressor compresses the incoming air to high pressure and fuel is burned in the combustion area and produces a high-pressure, high-velocity gas. The turbine extracts the energy from the high-pressure, high-velocity gas flowing from the combustion chamber and creates the power.

Edox is the official timing partner for the event, with Performance Marine and the NBJ Group, while Extreme Marine of Dubai and Mercury Racing supplied the required maintenance parts to ensure the boat is ready on time.

Sheikh Hassan hopes to announce his co-pilot for the record attempt nearer to the date of the record run.

Jay Price dominates UIM F1

70 Points in the overall standings – 30 pointsmore than Jonas Andersson in 2nd leaves us thinking, was this the last race Jay Price will win in 08? Will he now start and run safe? Nha… Dont think so – Its just not Jay Price. Jay is a “do or die” racer with a real shoot of winning the F1 title this year.

Well, I know. There is still 60 points up for grab, but if you look at the history in 08, Jay has finished 1st or 2nd in every event except in St Petersburg. Jay Price of the Qatar Team dropped out himself with engine problems on the 14 lap while in 6th place.

Apart from that, it has been a perfect season for him. 

Not only is he ahead of the UIM Formula 1 Worldchampionship table, Qatar team is also extending their lead in the Team Championship, now with 75 points, and to round it off – Jay has scored 67 points in the Slam Trophy this year, witch means he has posted the fastest lap in 3 of the rounds in 2008. Not bad :)

Well done Jay, I hope you find time to tell us about your race, with your own words when you drop by a computer ;-) 

From F1boat.com

« HURRICANE » PRICE STORMS TO WIN IN CHINA !
DAVID TRASK HAS CAREER BEST 2ND ; COMPARATO 3RD !

 
LIUZHOU, China – 12th of October, 2008 – American Jay Price pulled off a remarkable victory despite having his favorite propeller break in morning practice to come away with his 2nd victory of the season and now the Qatar Team driver now leads the championship by a comfortable 30 points as his top 5 challengers for the championship all dropped of the 8th Grand Prix of China in Liuzhou at the 5th race of the U.I.M. F1 World Championship for power boating.

The driver from New Orleans, Louisiana took command of the race only after a series of events that saw the first four drivers dropping out with the most spectacular coming on the first turn of the race when Italian Guido Cappellini cut across in front of 3rd place qualifier Ahmad Al Hameli of Team Abu Dhabi and caused the young driver to spin out ending his race in front of the rest of the field that was charging into the opening pin.

The Tamoil F1 driver was able to continue before dropping out in 2nd spot after 14 laps which has once again hurti the native of Como, Italy in his chance to win his 10th title in 2008. Meanwhile, Team Abu Dhabi teammate Thani Al Qamzi moved into 2nd chasing leader Sami Selio until he left the race on the 8th lap with trim failure and for the 5th time this season gaining no points.

Selio driving quickly in his Woodstock Red Devil Racing BABA hulled boat had built up over a straight away length lead on the rest of the field before his boat came to a stop on the 39th lap ending his hopes of winning his first event of 2008 as the defending World Champion.

For Jay Price, opportunitiy knocked and he took advantage in a big way. « I know I had a great chance for victory starting in 6th position, » said Price. « We’ve won from 5th and have been on the podium 5 straight races and knew that if I just stayed out of the jump at the start that we would be in a fine position to challenge for a win or a podium after 65 laps. »

The win gives the 30 year racing veteran known as the « Ragin Cagin » 70 points on the season to 40 for Jonas Andersson who crashed out in 4th place on the 43 circuit. Australian driver David Trask came home a career best 2nd place as he and Jay fought for a podium finish for the first half the event before getting passed by Price with a third of the event remaining and finishing 12.34 seconds back of the leader.

« It was a real physcial event but we are really pleased since we are now up to 3rd in the title run with 32 points and I continue to have a good history of racing here in China, » said David. « I look forward to the next event in Shenzhen in two weeks. »

Italian Fabio Comparato had another fine performance starting 9th and finishing 3rd for his 2nd straight podium and has now moved into 4th in the championship with 31 points for the 800 Doctor Team.

French driver Philippe Chiappe of the Atlantic Team had his best of the season in 4th and his 5th straight top-10 place. Tamoil F1 driver Stanislav Kourtsenovsky had a great run to 5th position after starting 13th.

The Qatar Team rookie driver Youssef Al Khulifi came up with his best performance in his rookie season charging from his 14th starting position to 6th, while another rookie Uvis Slakteris of Latvia was 7th.

Bob Trask of Australia came from 17th to finish 8th and rounding out the finishers was Swedish driver Pierre Lundin of the CTIC China Team coming home 9th.

The next round of the championship will be in two weeks as the 6th race of the 2008 season will be back in Shenzhen for the 2nd straight season.

 

For additional information, interviews or video footage please contact:
Steve Michael Reporting – Philippe Stiernon F1 Press Officer
 
Professional Photos Service: http://www.f1boatphotos.com
 

Jay Price won Liuzhou GP

Jay Price won todays China GP and extended his World Championship lead to 3o points, Well done Jay. We all hope Jonas Andersson is ok after his flip. Dave Trask finished a well deserved 2nd and Fabio Comparato 3rd. 

David trask is now in 3rd overall, with his 15 points today, he stands on 32 points to Jonas Anderssons 40, still in 2nd and Jay Price with a fantastic 70 points. Fabio Comparato moves himself into the 4th spot in the overall Worldchampionship with his 3rd place today. Rest remains unchanged.

Unfortunally for the French driver Phillippe Dessertenne, asnhe broke down with aprox 14 laps to go..

« HURRICANE » PRICE STORMS TO WIN IN CHINA !
DAVID TRASK HAS CAREER BEST 2ND ; COMPARATO 3RD !

 
LIUZHOU, China – 12th of October, 2008 – American Jay Price pulled off a remarkable victory despite having his favorite propeller break in morning practice to come away with his 2nd victory of the season and now the Qatar Team driver now leads the championship by a comfortable 30 points as his top 5 challengers for the championship all dropped of the 8th Grand Prix of China in Liuzhou at the 5th race of the U.I.M. F1 World Championship for power boating.

The driver from New Orleans, Louisiana took command of the race only after a series of events that saw the first four drivers dropping out with the most spectacular coming on the first turn of the race when Italian Guido Cappellini cut across in front of 3rd place qualifier Ahmad Al Hameli of Team Abu Dhabi and caused the young driver to spin out ending his race in front of the rest of the field that was charging into the opening pin.

The Tamoil F1 driver was able to continue before dropping out in 2nd spot after 14 laps which has once again hurti the native of Como, Italy in his chance to win his 10th title in 2008. Meanwhile, Team Abu Dhabi teammate Thani Al Qamzi moved into 2nd chasing leader Sami Selio until he left the race on the 8th lap with trim failure and for the 5th time this season gaining no points.

Selio driving quickly in his Woodstock Red Devil Racing BABA hulled boat had built up over a straight away length lead on the rest of the field before his boat came to a stop on the 39th lap ending his hopes of winning his first event of 2008 as the defending World Champion.

For Jay Price, opportunitiy knocked and he took advantage in a big way. « I know I had a great chance for victory starting in 6th position, » said Price. « We’ve won from 5th and have been on the podium 5 straight races and knew that if I just stayed out of the jump at the start that we would be in a fine position to challenge for a win or a podium after 65 laps. »

The win gives the 30 year racing veteran known as the « Ragin Cagin » 70 points on the season to 40 for Jonas Andersson who crashed out in 4th place on the 43 circuit. Australian driver David Trask came home a career best 2nd place as he and Jay fought for a podium finish for the first half the event before getting passed by Price with a third of the event remaining and finishing 12.34 seconds back of the leader.

« It was a real physcial event but we are really pleased since we are now up to 3rd in the title run with 32 points and I continue to have a good history of racing here in China, » said David. « I look forward to the next event in Shenzhen in two weeks. »

Italian Fabio Comparato had another fine performance starting 9th and finishing 3rd for his 2nd straight podium and has now moved into 4th in the championship with 31 points for the 800 Doctor Team.

French driver Philippe Chiappe of the Atlantic Team had his best of the season in 4th and his 5th straight top-10 place. Tamoil F1 driver Stanislav Kourtsenovsky had a great run to 5th position after starting 13th.

The Qatar Team rookie driver Youssef Al Khulifi came up with his best performance in his rookie season charging from his 14th starting position to 6th, while another rookie Uvis Slakteris of Latvia was 7th.

Bob Trask of Australia came from 17th to finish 8th and rounding out the finishers was Swedish driver Pierre Lundin of the CTIC China Team coming home 9th.

The next round of the championship will be in two weeks as the 6th race of the 2008 season will be back in Shenzhen for the 2nd straight season.

 

For additional information, interviews or video footage please contact:
Steve Michael Reporting – Philippe Stiernon F1 Press Officer
 
Professional Photos Service: http://www.f1boatphotos.com
 

Crash boom bang in China. Who will be the last man standing ?

Ahamed Al Hamli came together with Guido Cappellini in the first turn, And Ahamed vent out. Guido lasted only a few laps Sami Selio leaded the race for the next 40 laps. David Sewell reports 16.09 that Selio Stops and Jonas Andersson flips. What a race.

With 5 laps to go, Jay Price leads the race

16:20 – Positions overall on lap 55, Price, D.Trask, Comparato, Kourtsenovski, Khulifi, Skakteris, B.Trask, Lundin, Benavente. 8 laps to go and positions remain unchanged. We will try and find out if Andersson is OK

Grande ALEX ! What a pilot, What a Boat - BaBa 1st and 3rd...

Pole sitter Colin Jelf could not get off the jetty, and came thru the field like a champion – Strong, fast and massive.

Ladies and gentlemen, an accident is the only thing that can take away Colin Jelf´s 3rd title in a row.

Michael Nylund was 2nd for most of the race, but Colin Jelf wanted it more, and got it on the pit turn.

Colin turned harder, and accelerated away, but there was nothing they could do with young Italian star, Alex Carella.

His BaBa smoked em all in the rough weather. Making it look easy!

The setup was perfect, so was the driving. No driver error wins races!

It was 16 boats from 11 nations and the fighting was as hard for 4 and 5th as 8 and 9th position. Incredible. Jean B Thomas beat Rick on the last straight line to 4th. A well-deserved 4th as he fighted for many many laps.

To sum up the weekend, here is a picture of the boys, pushing the transport bus. Even it’s very funny, it’s not a joke!

Cya in Malaysia.

Points leader Jay Price helping set up his Qatar Team on Wednesday morning at the Li River.

The boys have reached China, and my special friend, Jay Price is ready to defend his lead, well – with jay its not about defense – its about an harder attach ! Go Jaay…

2008 UIM F1 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
Grand Prix of Liuzhou – October 11th-12th, round 5 of 8

For immediate release
Sunday, October 5th, 2008

QATAR’S PRICE FACES CRUCIAL
F1 RACE CHALLENGE IN LIUZHOU

Qatar’s promising Yousef Al-Khulaifi set for first race in China
Khalid Al-Kuwari takes over as Qatar’s Head of Formula Racing

DOHA (Qatar): The Qatar Team heads to Liuzhou in China this weekend
(October 11th12th) to tackle the fifth round of the prestigious 2008 UIM F1
World Championship. Team driver Jay Price currently holds a 10-point
outright lead in the eight-round championship and the Doha-based Qatar Team
leads the Teams’ Championship by eight points.

Price will be joined in China by Qatar’s Yousef Al-Khulaifi, who made his
F1 race debut in Doha back in March and has already claimed championship
points this season after an impressive start to his career in the top
flight of world powerboat racing.

There have also been changes within the Qatar Marine Sport’s Federation’s
(QMSF) hierarchy during the three-month summer lay-off in the race
calendar. Board member Khalid Bin Arhama Al-Kuwari has replaced Mohammed
Al-Jaidah as Head of the Formula Team and is relishing his new role within
the federation. Qatar’s Mohammed Al-Ali remains as team manager and Brendan
Power retains the crucial role of mechanic chief and the man in charge of
engine development. The team is run under the presidency of His Excellency
Sheikh Hassan bin Jabor Al-Thani.

“It promises to be an exciting and very important race for the Qatar Team,”
enthused Al-Kuwari. “We will have two race boats for Jay and Yousef. There
has been no time for testing, but our goal in Liuzhou is to retain the lead
in the World Championship. Jay is only 10 points ahead of Jonas Andersson,
but we must remember that Jay is an experienced driver and a determined
fighter. We are well prepared for the pair of Chinese races and have a new
DAC boat with strong engines.”

Price realises the importance of maintaining the momentum as the second
half of the season gets underway. Sweden’s Andersson may be his closest
challenger, but Abu Dhabi’s Ahmed Al-Hameli, multiple World Champion Guido
Cappellini and defending World Champion Sami Selio are within striking
distance if the Qatar Team driver hits problems in China.

“Our boat has been in Italy being repaired after the two accidents in
Finland,” admitted Price, who is based in New Orleans between races and has
survived his own fair share of drama over the summer months, with the
much-publicised hurricane season affecting the area where he lives once
again.

“In my time off, apart from dodging hurricanes, I have been riding my
Harley, jet skiing and exercising every day to stay fit and sharp for the
rest of the season. The goal for the Chinese race is a podium finish. It is
important that we do finish and I score some points.”

The Qatar Team endured a run of cruel luck during the two F1 races in China
last year, but Price is not phased by history. “Last year’s Chinese
problems were caused by my flip in Doha. The electrics had shorted out and
we did not find the problem on the boat until the final race in Sharjah.”

Price is hoping for rough weather, as his attacking driving style is better
suited to tricky water conditions. “I know the race course is short and
tight, but that is all. Jonas will be up for this one, Guido is always
fast, Ahmad is really getting the feel of his BaBa boat now and Thani
Al-Qamzi has a new DAC boat and has been testing. You can never rule out
Sami (Selio) either, so it should be a great race.”

Liuzhou is known as the Dragon City and is situated in the middle of the
Guanxi province in the south-west region of China. The city is hosting an
F1 race for the first time, although this will be the eighth F1 race in
China since 1995.

The weekend’s action gets underway on Friday, October 10th with technical
scrutineering and team registration, although the competitive action begins
at 10.00hrs (local time) on Saturday morning with the free practice
session. The first time trials get underway at 13.00hrs, with the crucial
second time trials starting at 14.45hrs and followed by the six-boat
shoot-out to determine pole position.

Sunday’s (October 12th) Grand Prix of Liuzhou starts at 15.30hrs, although
teams will be permitted a second 45-minute practice session on the short
course from 10.45hrs.

2008 UIM F1 World Championship – Drivers (positions after round 4 of 8):
1. Jay Price (QA)                       Qatar Team                       50
pts
2. Jonas Andersson (S)          F1 Team Sweden                   40 pts
3. Ahmad Al-Hameli (UAE)                F1 Team Abu Dhabi
28 pts
4. Guido Cappellini  (I)                Tamoil F1 Team                   27
pts
4. Sami Selio (FIN)                     Woodstock Red Devil Racing
27 pts
6. Pierre Lundin (S)                    China CTIC Team                  22
pts
7. Fabio Comporato (I)          800 Doctor Team                         19
pts
8. David Trask (AUS)                    Trask Brothers Racing            17
pts
9. Phillipe Chiappe (F)         F1 Atlantic Team                        15
pts, etc
16. Yousef Al-Khulaifi (QA)             Qatar Team                       3
pts

2008 UIM F1 World Championship – Pole Position (positions after round 4 of
8):
1. Guido Cappellini (I)                 Tamoil F1                        64
pts
2. Ahmad Al-Hameli (UAE)                F1 Team Abu Dhabi                50
pts
3. Thani Al-Qamzi (UAE)         F1 Team Abu Dhabi                48 pts
4.  Jonas Andersson (S)         F1 Team Sweden           41 pts
5. Jay Price (QA)                       Qatar Team              19 pts
5. Sami Selio (FIN)                     Woodstock Red Devil Racing      19
pts
7. David Trask (AUS)                    Trask Brothers Racing    14 pts
8. Francesco Cantando (I)               Singha Team             7 pts
9=. Massimo Roggiero (I)                Woodstock Red Devil Racing      5
pts
9=. Phillipe Chiappe (F)                Atlantic Team           5 pts

2008 UIM F1 World Championship – Teams (positions after round 4 of 8):
1. Qatar Team                           50 pts
2. F1 Team Sweden                               42 pts
3. Tamoil F1                            36 pts
4. China CTIC Team                              35 pts
5. F1 Team Abu Dhabi                    28 pts
5. Woodstock Red Devil Racing                   28 pts
7. F1 Atlantic Team                             24 pts
8. Trask Brothers Racing                        23 pts
9. Doctor 800                           19 pts
10. Singha Team                         14 pts