The Italian driver Ivan Brigada, clinched the Fujairah Grand Prix 2009 round title of the UIM F2 World Championship yesterday (December 14th) at the Fujairah International Marine Club.

The race that was held under the patronage of H.H Sheikh Mohamed bin Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah, and was attended by H.H Sheikh His Highness Sheikh Safe Bin Hamad Bin Safe Al Sharqi Chairman of Fujairah International Marine Club.

Ivan Brigada, driving DAC came in the first place recording a time speed of 00:36:39:88 securing 20 points, the Latvian driver Uvis Slakteris driving Mer recorded a time speed of 00:36:41:44 securing another 15 points putting him in the pole position for the race to the world title.

It was a Championship winning partnership between a rookie driver and a former World Champion that came together for the first time in the 2009 season opener in Doha, Qatar, before yesterday’s tragedy brought a cruel and devastating end to their story.

The exuberance of Emirati Mohammad Al Mehairi and experience of Frenchman Jean-Marc Sanchez would go on to secure a pole position, race wins and the European title in their eight races together.

An impressive showing and a fourth place in the opening pole position of the season, was surpassed by a third place finish in their first race at the Qatar Grand Prix in April which showed that despite the newness of their partnership they already had the makings of a dazzling duo.

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.

Reigning Powerboat P1 SuperSport class World Champions, Aaron Ciantar and Viktor Shemchuk, will be making a step up in class in 2010, after Sunday’s announcement in the Times of Malta, that they will be driving in the Evolution class  next year.

Speaking at the Chaudron factory in Bulebel, Ciantar told reporters that the Chaudron boatyward had also negotiated a new three-year contract with Ukrainian Spirit, which will see the Maltese firm constructing two new powerboats for the 2010 season.

"I am pleased to announce that we have just reached an agreement to extend our relationship with Ukrainian businessman Victor Shemchuk for another three seasons," Ciantar said.

Following the previous meetings in Italy, Stresa and Riccione, the UIM, WPPA and IOTA presidents, respectively, Raffaele Chiulli, Saeed Hareb and Gianfranco Venturelli met in Dubai, U.A.E., on 6 December and came to a common agreement regarding the full re-integration of the Class 1 World Powerboat Championship in the UIM and under the UIM rules.

The future cooperation will be run through the ‘Offshore Professional Committee’.  This committee will include representatives of all involved parties. 

Ratification by the UIM Council will be requested by 15 January, 2010.