Qatar 96 in Romania, second on the charts chase Victory 77 for 2007 title
The
Class 1 fleet returns to competitive action this last October weekend,
and will line up on the aquamarine waters of the Mediterranean, as Porto
Marina, one of the most fashionable resorts in the Middle East, hosts
the Egyptian Grand Prix, round five of the WPPA Class 1 World Powerboat
Championship and the first round of the WPPA Class 1 Middle East
Championship.
The Egyptian Grand Prix is the
start of an intensive period of racing for the teams, with four races in
the Middle East in six weeks. And with 80 points on offer (excluding
bonus points), the world title is still very much up for grabs, but the
chasing pack must start taking points away from the championship leaders
if they are to stay in the title race, and they must start doing it in
Porto Marina.
The first half of the season has
been dominated by the Middle East teams, who have kept their European
rivals off the podium at all but one race, with Victory 77’ blazing a
trail of supremacy and consistency, taking three wins out of four and a
second place to clinch the European Championship and give themselves a
healthy, but not unassailable 19 point lead in the overall title race.
If they can maintain their imperious form, the title is enticingly
within sight. Whilst the teammates in Victory 7, are currently lying in
fourth place, and in a strong position to play a key supporting role if
Victory are to regain the world crown. Qatar 96, with four podium
finishes so far lead the chase, and is the only outfit who can grab the
title without relying on Victory 77 to break or falter, assuming that
is, that they win the next four races, a Herculean task. But Qatar 96
have the reliability and if they can find some extra pace, can pile
pressure on the leaders. For the defending World Champions Spirit of
Norway 10, the title appears to be slipping from their grasp. A
frustrating season so far and with technical hitches restricting them to
just one win, sees them 30 points off the lead. But Spirit of Norway
has proved to be the fastest boat out there, but will have to hope the
leaders break or drop considerable points and that they return to
winning ways, if they are to successfully defend their title. Qatar 95,
are the pick of the teams running V8 power-plants, and after a season of
ongoing development with the Mercury and a podium last time out, appear
to have hit form at a crucial time and look likely to be podium
challengers from here on in. Spirit of Norway 20, the youngster of the
Norwegian team also with the Mercury, will be looking to build on a
solid first season together and try to find some extra pace to move them
into a top six ranking. For Negotiator, bedding in Sterling V8s and
Jotun, running the Mercury, a lack of reliability and some misfortune
has dogged their seasons. But both teams can start to turn their
fortunes around by realising their obvious pace and potential and
produce strong showings in Porto Marina with a focus on grabbing some
silverware in the Middle East Championship. SeveneleveN will be hoping
to start the second half of the season, as they started the season, with
a top six finish in Porto Marina, but with Tomaso Polli unavailable to
race, Nicola Giorgi will be joined in the cockpit by Class 1 newcomer
and fellow Italian, Giorgio Manuzzi. Veneta Marina-Duemme Brokers’s
season has been dominated by driver changes, but Foresti & Suardi
will be looking to improve on the solid performances that sees them
lying in a very credible sixth place. Boat number 2, carrying the
colours of new sponsor Fainplast, formerly VM Foresti & Suardi.
The
race weekend starts officially on Friday 26 with the EDOX pole
position, with a final practice session and the teams lining up for the
21 lap, 97.36Nm Egyptian Grand Prix in Porto Marina on Saturday, 27
October.
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