Blue Sheets

CLASS 1 POWERBOATS - A MIXED YEAR FOR MARITIMO AUSTRALIA

Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:10:00 GMT

2009 was a highly-charged year mixed with emotions for Maritimo Australia; highs and lows, success, elation, dejection and drama.

Running a two-boat team with new hull engine-packages the season-opener was forgettable. The team hit back in Arendal, Norway, with Tom Barry-Cotter and Pal Virik Nilsen (Maritimo 11) leading home team-mates, Giorgio Manuzzi and Peter McGrath (Maritimo 12), to post a deserved two-three finish.

The Romanian Grand Prix saw Maritimo 11 impress in qualifying and take a second podium in race 2, but it also saw the exit from the Championship of Maritimo 12 after a dramatic crash in race 1 ended their racing year.

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CLASS 1 POWERBOATS - MONTAVOCI’S POINTS RUN EXTENDS TO 24 RACES

Wed, 30 Dec 2009 15:00:00 GMT

Podiums may have been beyond his grasp, but points-finishes in all of this season’s nine races saw Italian throttleman, Giampaolo Montavoci, finish fourth overall in the 2009 World Championship standings, his best-ever position in his 12-years in Class 1.

The charismatic Italian will be the first to concede that whilst his SCAM-powered Victory-built Foresti & Suardi - Roscioli Hotels could do with a much-needed makeover, to take points in all races, and with four different drivers over the course of the year, is a remarkable show of consistency.

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ZAPCAT RACING - FINAL NEWS FOR 2009, HERE COMES 2010!

Tue, 29 Dec 2009 12:00:00 GMT

Not a last minute attack of "Bah Humbug" just frustration that so many decisions & meetings are now delayed until after the New Year! The team has been working on so many projects, news should start to come through thick & fast from mid January onwards.

New venues have been found, old favourites & some past classics revisited, funding applications made, meeting prospective, new & existing series sponsors and new race teams, received proposals from media agencies, whilst the safety team & RYA officials have kept busy reviewing & improving procedures, policies and revising 2010 rules. (Revised 2010 Branding document is already available for download and the new rules will go up over the next few days).

We even have provisional dates & venues for 2011!

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CLASS 1 POWERBOATS - NORWEGIAN RAIDERS

Mon, 28 Dec 2009 12:00:00 GMT

Some spectacular and determined racing and a run of five podiums in four Grands Prix propelled Welmax’s Kolbjorn Selmer and Jorn Tandberg to third place in the overall Class 1 World Championship standings - the team’s best performance in over a decade.

“We are very happy with the way the season turned out. After a troubled start in Doha and Arendal we have been on the podium at every race weekend,” said Kolbjorn Selmer. “And to finish with on the podium in both the World Championship and the Edox Pole Position Championship standings was beyond the expectations we had for this season.

“We are proud to be the first all-Norwegian pairing to be on the Championship podium. The crew has done a fantastic job this year and the whole team is working very well together and now looking forward to taking it to the next step in 2010.”

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POWERBOAT P1 - HUYBREGHTS BANKING ON SAME FORMULA

Sun, 27 Dec 2009 12:00:00 GMT

Spirit of Belgium team principal and throttleman, Patrick Huybreghts, proudly announced plans for an all-new custom-built hull for the 2010 Powerboat P1 SuperSport Class World Championship earlier this week.

Like in 2009, the craft will be manufactured by Nor-Tech Hi-Performance Boats with Mastry Engine Center powering the team. Huybreghts has decided to stick with last year’s tried and tested formula, hoping to build on the rookie team’s fourth position overall.

Huybreghts said: “Considering next year’s rule changes, I have chosen to commission a completely new race-boat to give the team the best possible chance of success.

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POWERBOAT P1 - TEDESCHI IN GOOD SPIRITS DESPITE AXE

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 12:00:00 GMT

Three-time Powerboat P1 SuperSport Class World Champion, Angelo Tedeschi, has refused to get too downhearted after last week’s shock announcement that the Italian would not be racing with the Ukrainian Sprit team in 2010.

Despite missing out on the opportunity to race as part of the Ukrainian Spirit’s new Evolution Class crew, Tedeschi has thrown down the gauntlet to his former employers and the rest of his SuperSport peers, that next year will see him complete an imperious fourth consecutive title.

“My dear friends in Supersport must now bear another year and I will give everything to win the fourth title in a row.”

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CLASS 1 POWERBOATS - THE FINAL CLASSIFICATIONS

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 12:00:00 GMT

The WPPA has issued the final points and classifications for the 2009 UIM-WPPA Class 1 World Powerboat Championship.

Fazza’s Arif Al Zafeen and Nadir bin Hendi end the year as Class 1 World, Middle East and Edox Pole Position Champions.

Victory 1’s Mohammad Al Mehairi and Jean-Marc Sanchez, the 2009 Class 1 European Champions, who tragically lost their lives in what was the last race of the season, were runners-up to their team-mates, with Kolbjorn Selmer and Jorn Tandberg in Welmax taking third place.

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POWERBOAT P1 - PENNESI PREPARING FOR NEW YEAR HONOURS

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 12:00:00 GMT

Marco Pennesi once ignored his huge portion of Christmas Day turkey and all the trimmings in favour of unwrapping his Metamarine hull to feast upon technical improvements to his treasured powerboat.

This year, the San Benedetto del Tronto-based pilot will be taking a few days off, but Pennesi won’t be completely shaking off his scrooge-esque image, insisting the Metamarine boatyard “doesn’t have time to mess about” with next season’s early start in Croatia, in April.

“We are working really hard on the boat and its engines to improve its reliability. As Silverline showed in 2009, we think it will be the key to championship success next year.

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CLASS 1 POWERBOATS - VICTORY REQUESTS PRIVACY FOR POWERBOAT FAMILIES AS THOUSANDS PAY TRIBUTE

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 12:00:00 GMT

The Victory Team has been inundated with messages of support and condolence following the tragic loss of pilots Mohammad Al Mehairi and Jean-Marc Sanchez. “We are extremely grateful for the messages we have received from friends both inside and outside the powerboat racing community,” said Victory Team Managing Director, Khalfan Harib.

“However, we would like to request at this time that friends and supporters respect the privacy of both families and the Victory Team. Those wishing to leave a message should make contact through the team website where we will acknowledge their thoughts.

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POWERBOAT P1 OFFICIAL STATEMENT

Sat, 12 Dec 2009 12:00:00 GMT

Powerboat P1 Management Ltd would like to extend its deepest sympathies to the families of Class One pilots, Mohammad Al Mehairi and Jean-Marc Sanchez, of the Victory 1 team, following today’s tragic incident at the Dubai Grand Prix.

Powerboat P1 Chairman and CEO, Asif Rangoonwala said: “The passing of Mohammad and Jean-Marc will be felt by many across the world, and in particular for all those involved in the world of powerboating.

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