Class 2 prepares for Round 2   

Click on pictures to view

Some action
from Round 1
in Abu Dhabi

Dubai International Marine Club is laying the final preparations for Heat two of the UAE International Offshore Championship, sponsored by EPPCO and Le Meridian Mina Seyahi on Friday the 25^th of January 2002 . Scheduled to throttle off at 15:00 , spectators can expect a much closer encounter of a thrilling kind with a new race course planned that will bring these mighty beasts of the sea closer to the shore for a longer duration of time.  

With years of experience in organizing successful race events, the Dubai International Marine Club look to the upcoming Class Two races as a testing ground for new ideas and are set to lead the way for an improved race series for both the competitors and spectators alike. New rule changes are being planned that could set the way for future events and if proven successful, may find its way into the UIM World Offshore Powerboat Class One race series.  

“Apart from a new 55 minute time rule, our main preparations have gone into the redesign of the race course. The heavy work that has taken place in front of the Dubai International Marine Club for the Palm Island project has forced us to start considering new courses for future races that will not clash with the work that is being carried out on Palm Island .” said Saeed Hareb, Managing Director for the Dubai International Marine Club. “We have shortened the course due to a variety of reasons. The main priority focuses on logistics and safety, but an added advantage to this new shorter course is that it will allow a better view for spectators from the beaches and inshore.  

For the drivers, the course will prove a little more difficult. “There are hazards that will have to be taken into consideration; for example the sun direction. When they take a right turn and head into the shore, the difficulties will be subject to the sea conditions.” said Hareb. “With 2-3 foot waves this will prove a more difficult leg for the throttleman who will have a harder job adjusting the throttles during the race.” Adding, “I think that it will not be a difficult course if it is a calm day, but if the sea reaches any higher then 2-4 feet then it could be considered a difficult course. However if the sea conditions reach 6 feet as it did in the Dubai Class I races, then we would redesign the course and convert to a storm course or a cigar shape.  

Richard Ridout, as the Chairman of the World Offshore Championship (WOCC) Committee and the COMINOFF, was invited to come to the UAE for the race series and has attended the Abu Dhabi race last Thursday and will attend the Dubai race on Friday. “As an expert in this area we are pleased to have his advice and that he is on hand for support and to lend assistance in any subsequent changes that will take place.” said Harib.  

Media coverage is also expected to benefit from planned changes. “A race of shorter duration will guarantee better coverage. The new 55 minute rule will be an added benefit for broadcast as they are able show a 55 minute program live easier then a program of a longer duration.” said Hareb, adding. “When we have a link with the media helicopter, they will now be able to fuel for one hour as opposed to the normal two hours. This enables them to keep pace with the boats easier as they will be lighter. Cost of fuel will also be cheaper and the programs will not run the risk of going into over time as can happen with a race with no time limit.”  

When you take into consideration the time factor that is involved when the pilots of the boats are in the cockpits during the hot summer months, these proposed rule changes may prove to be a welcome relief. “We race in a all different types of weather and sea conditions.” said Ali Al Qama, Victory Teams throttleman for M1. “When the sea is calm it is easier for us to race as a throttleman, but take for example the Class one race in Dubai in November 2001. The sea was rough and the temperature was reaching in excess of 40 degrees in the cockpit, not to mention the fact that you are wearing a full jumpsuit. In these conditions the body can only take about one hour and then you become dehydrated which may lead to accidents due to lack of concentration. I think that using the Class II as a model and maybe implementing it into the Class One series is a good idea.”  

Teams competing will also benefit as running cost for the boats will be less due to less wear on the engines and other parts. Maintenance will not be as high and spectators can expect more of a show as competitor’s battle for the chequered flag in a shorter time frame.  

Undoubtedly, the popularity of the UAE as a race venue is with out question and when asked why, Saeed Hareb commented, “apart from the ideal weather conditions that we experience in the region, the facilities that we have in the UAE are extremely good. We also benefit from the complete support of the government and all these things help to make the UAE an ideal sporting arena to hold events.”  

With such confidence in the local organizers, there has come an increase in the amount of competing boats from around the globe and the numbers are still climbing. “We are already expecting an increased amount of competitors for next year’s events from Europe.” said Harib.  

The Class Two and Three Offshore races have been running since 1988, but before that time there were no solid rules. However, as the sport has grown in popularity in the Emirates, the rules have become clearer and the result today is that the Emirates has become one of the worlds best organized arenas for Offshore racing.  

Followers of Offshore will also have the chance to enter their name in a draw to predict the winning boat for both the Class Two and Three races, whereby the person who guesses correctly can expect to win up to 5,000 Dhs in cash as a first prize (Total Dhs 50,000).  

Classes Two and Three 6 liter Races will start at 1500 hrs on Friday the 25^th of January 2001 .