Welmax wheelman, Kolbjorn Selmer, knows that he and Jorn Tandberg must produce something extra special in both races in the Italian Grand Prix in Stresa, 2-4 October, if throttleman Tandberg is to retain his European Crown.

After a series of frustrating incidents in the first two races of the season, the all-Norwegian pairing, who teamed up in the BMW Norwegian Grand Prix in Arendal, hit back in Mamaia-Constanta to take third place in qualifying in the Edox Pole Position and two race-podiums – third in race 1 and second in race 2 – to move into fourth place in the World and European Championship standings.  “We have some ground to make up and we know we will have to and can up our levels to beat Victory, but they are for sure ahead of us at this moment,” said Selmer, who after 14 Grands Prix without a podium finish, landed three in one weekend in Romania.  “Victory has done a fantastic job this season, but we will work very hard to beat them.

“We have had some issues with propellers but are looking to fix that before Stresa, plus we have a couple of cards up our sleeve which we hope will bring us closer to the top of the podium. The extra fuel we carry gives us a disadvantage in the start, but we can make a big difference in Stresa if we prop the lady in the right way.”

As for any changes that the team will introduce in Stresa, Selmer was remaining tight-lipped.  “Modifications in Stresa…..wait and see!”

CLASS 1 WORLD POWERBOAT CHAMPIONSHIP – after round 3 of 6
1. Fazza - 71pts  2. Victory 1 - 56pts  3. Maritimo 11 - 40pts  4. Welmax - 38pts  5. Foresti & Suardi-Roscioli Hotels - 27pts  6. Giorgioffshore - 23pts  7. Qatar 96 - 15pts  8. Maritimo 12 - 12pts  9= Victory 77 - 9pts  9= Aurantium - 9pts  11. Qatar 95 - 4pts

CLASS 1 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP – after round 2 of 3
1. Fazza – 47pts  2. Victory 1 – 40pts  3. Maritimo 11 – 36pts  4. Welmax – 32pts  5. Foresti & Suardi-Roscioli Hotels – 18pts  6. Giorgioffshore - 14pts  7. Maritimo 12 – 12pts  8. Victory 77 - 9pts