IT’S BLUE THROUGH AND THROUGH IN CLASS II AND TOP SPOT FOR ADIMSC IN CLASS III 6 LITRE 

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The Class II and III 6 litre UAE International Championship powerboat race series drew to its final conclusion yesterday at the Dubai International Marine Club.  

Expectations of rough seas and high swells proved unfounded. Competitors passed the chequered flag for the first time in the race series inside the time limit of 55 minutes, proving the fast and ferocious pace of the day.  

In the Class II category, it was the BMW V8 powered engines that drove both Victory Team boats to the top two spots for the overall championship title, as well as the top two podium places of the day. “We are really happy that we have achieved our goal of first and second in the Championship.” said Khalfan Harib, Managing Director for Victory Team. “We are especially happy with the BMW engines. They have proven to be extremely reliable and the performance of the boats has been exceptional.”  

Crowned Champions, Saeed H. Al-Tayer and Mohammed Al Marri in Victory 7, clinched their second consecutive Class II UAE International Championship trophy yesterday with a second place finish on the day. “Today’s result is due to the good runs that we had earlier in the season.” said Al-Tayer. “The results that we have had has all been down to the magnificent work done by all our Team.” adding, “My crew chief, Robbie, has given a lot over the years but this may be his last race, so I dedicate this win to the management, the crew and especially to Robbie.”  

With the championship practically in the bag, Al Tayer and Al Marri ran a tactical race, not wishing to have a last minute upset. “We had to protect our position and come in second or third to collect as many points as possible to win the overall championship, so we didn’t take any unnecessary risks out there today.” said Al Marri. “Ali Al Qama and Ali Nasser proved determined to stay ahead today. They have raced really well over the last two races and over all a one-two for Victory Team is fantastic.”  

Team mates Ali Nasser and Ali Al Qama also had their second consecutive first place on the podium, giving them an overall second place in the overall championship.  

Third place in the Championship went to Ahmed M. Al Suwaidi and Matteo Nicolini in SCM, M9. “We are delighted with the result as we have all worked very hard throughout the series.” said throttleman Mateo Nicolini.  

Fifth in the overall race series, Hot Staff’s Eivend Smedstad and Atle M Staff came in with a third place in yesterday’s race. “It went very well out there today. We were trying to keep Mateo and Ahmed in SCM behind us.” said a delighted Atle M. Staff. “On the fifth round we had Victory 7 beside us and we tried to overtake, but Eivend lost his seatbelt and Victory 7 had more go then us, so we just stayed on in third place.”  

In Class III 6 liter, veterans of offshore, Rashid Jaber Al Hamli and Ahmed Ali Jaber Al Hamli in ADIMSC, S4, powered to first place both on the day and in the overall Championship. Returning to offshore after an accident that saw Ahmed out of action for a substantial period, Ahmed has come back bigger and better; and with another title win to his name, has confirmed himself as one of the stars of Offshore. “We have had a wonderful and consistent season.”  said Al Hamli. “But we owe today’s result to the unending support of the Abu Dhabi International Marine Sports Club.”  

Second in the Championship and on the day, Abu Dhabi Racing Team’s Ali Darwish Al Murar and Mohammed Darwish Al Murar in S45, stormed into second place during lap four, but it was the duo of Petri Rananen and Carl Carpitella in Finnracing, S16, that made the biggest comeback when they made a dramatic jump from sixth place to third place in lap six, securing themselves a third in the Championship.  

Commenting on the race series, Saeed Harib, Managing Director for Dubai International Marine Club said. “It was a very smooth race out there today. We were expecting bad weather but conditions proved ideal out there today and we ran a very fast race. ” said Harib. “A new course was chosen after much deliberation which proved very successful and we may apply it to the Class One races later this year. Also the new rule of 55 minutes has worked really well throughout this series and we can confirm that we will be applying it to the Class One race series when it gets underway in Marseilles in June.” adding “We have also received confirmation that the Class II and III 6 liter WOC Championship race series will be held in Qatar next year; a decision that will prove a welcome addition to the family of Offshore.”