Class 1 - Sweden Preview

Fazza 3 will be looking to complete a hat-trick of season-win-doubles in Uddevalla this weekend when the UIM Class 1 World Powerboat Championship makes its Grand Prix debut in Sweden the coming weekend from the sixth to the eight August. The defending World Championsof Fazza 3 are in imperious form and seemingly unbeatable. But both men know that they will come under increasing pressure from a trio of outfits, as they look to extend their Championship lead and close in on the long-standing team record of 18 race wins, held by former triple World Champion Saeed Al Tayer and double World Champion Ali Nasser. Leading the assault to try and un-seat the Championship leaders are their team-mates, race-veteran, Mohammed Al Marri, making his 70th Grand Prix appearance and Abdullah Al Mehairbi, running for the first time as Skydive Dubai, previously Fazza 1. They know that they will have to be on the top of their game, not only if they are to close the gap on Fazza 3, but to stave off the challenge they too face from Welmax and Team Abu Dhabi the ex Spirit of Dubai. Welmax head the Norwegian attack and will be hoping that they can repeat their scintillating showing in qualifying last time out - their win putting them on equal terms in first place in the Edox Pole Position Championship with Fazza 3 - and go one better than second-place in race 1 in Arendal, as they look to reduce the points deficit between them and the team dubbed 'the black alliance', by Welmax wheel-man, Selmer. Italians Giovanni Carpitella and Giorgio Manuzzi were the stars of the show in Norway, climbing the podium steps three times. But with the confirmation by the Abu Dhabi International Marine Sports Club of the full-time participation of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi in the Championship, a switch of driver for Carpitella will see him partner with Rashed Al Tayer - who made his Class 1 debut at the Brazilian Grand Prix earlier in the year - running in the new Victory-design under the colours of Team Abu Dhabi. Primatist's Italian-duo, have put the frustration of their disappointing first races together behind them, and having worked on their charge in between Grands Prix, will line-up in Uddevalla looking to realise the podium potential of both driver-throttleman and boat combination. Looking to improve on a very solid first outing together are Christian Zaborowski and Paul Gaiser, who showed on occasion in Norway that their Maritimo-designed and built raceboat, Relekta, has real pace. Zabo Racing team principal, Jan Zaborowski, is confident that increasingly improved performance will come with the more time on the water Christian and Paul clock-up. The Grand Prix weekend kicks-off with first practice on Friday (6 August) afternoon, followed by the Class 1 Aspen Speed Run. Second practice on Saturday morning is immediately followed by qualifying in the Edox Pole Position and Race 1, 53.87Nm - 13 laps, including one long lap. A final practice session on Sunday morning is followed in the afternoon by Race 2, 66.45Nm - 16 laps, including two long laps.
UIM CLASS 1 WORLD POWERBOAT CHAMPIONSHIP - after round 2 of 6 - race 4 of 12

1. Fazza 3 - 82pts

2. Fazza 1 - 53pts

3. Welmax - 29pts

4. Spirit of Dubai - 27pts

5. Primatist - 23pts

6. Team Abu Dhabi - 16pts

7. Foresti & Suardi - SCAM - 11pts

8. Welmax Alianza - 10pts

9. Relekta - 7pts
(Championship points include bonus points allocated to teams for running engines for two consecutive Grand Prix)
CLASS 1 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP - after round 1 of 3 - race 2 of 6

1. Fazza 3 - 40pts

2. Spirit of Dubai - 27pts

3. Fazza 1 - 21pts

4. Welmax - 15pts

5. Relekta - 7pts

6. Primatist - 0pts
EDOX POLE POSITION CHAMPIONSHIP - after round 2 of 6

1=. Fazza 3 - 35pts

1=. Welmax - 35pts

3. Fazza 1 - 21pts

4. Spirit of Dubai - 12pts

5. Team Abu Dhabi - 9pts

6=. Welmax Alianza - 7pts

6=. Relekta - 7pts

8=. Foresti & Suardi - SCAM - 5pts

8=. Primatist - 5pts
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