POWER BOAT P1 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2009 IN BAHRAIN

[Adel]

POWER BOAT P1 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2009 IN BAHRAIN

22 - 24 October 2009







http://www.powerboatp1.com/season/

Powerboat P1 set for ‘great year’ in 2009
Wednesday 31 December 2008


Fireworks lit up the Vigo harbourPowerboat P1 chairman Asif Rangoonwala has said that he’s looking forward to what could be a season to remember in 2009, as entries are received for the Evolution and SuperSport classes, and new and existing venues finalise their arrangements for a seven-strong list of Grands Prix from March to September.

New events in Bahrain, Turkey and Sweden are bidding to join returning favourites in Malta, Portugal, Spain and Italy on the provisional 2009 calendar, while interest from new teams, and new hull and engine manufacturers, is at an all-time high, with a host of new line-ups challenging for the Evolution and SuperSport titles this year.

“I’m really looking forward to the start of the 2009 season in Bahrain at the end of March( date has been changed to 22-24 Oct 2009),” Rangoonwala said this week. “We’re keen to encourage new manufacturers and teams into the sport, and we’re already delighted at the response we’re getting. Although it’s early days, we’re looking at some very interesting teams and packages for the coming season, which could potentially make this year one of the most competitive yet.

“We’re also visiting a number of new countries to add to our traditional venues around the Mediterranean, as well as heading further east with the new events in Bahrain and Turkey and to Scandinavia for the first time. All together, it should make for a fascinating year.”

http://www.powerboatp1.com/news/en/290/article.aspx

[Adel]

Meet racing's new wave – it's the grand prix of the sea

Speed, noise, champagne ... and scantily clad girls – so can the 14-race powerboat circuit pull in the petrolheads? asks Martin Baker

Formula One, image problems notwithstanding, still has its imitators. Today marks the end of the Malta Grand Prix of the Sea, an event that sees itself as the aquatic equivalent of the petrol- head fests. The Maltese race is the latest in an increasingly noisy succession of Powerboat P1 jamborees that celebrate all that is finest in motor sport – speed, ear-shattering noise, quality engineering, criminal waste of champagne and lots of scantily clad women.


The Powerboat P1 grand prix circuit is the brainchild of British-based property and catering tycoon Asif Rangoonwala. Starting five years ago with a contest between five ageing powerboats, P1 has mushroomed into an event with "14 nationalities, 14 races and seven grand prix on three continents", according to Jim O'Toole, chief executive of Powerboat P1.

Opened with considerable fanfare on Thursday evening by the Maltese prime minister Lawrence Gonzi, the grand prix follows the established P1 format of two races on successive days – one test of speed, the other of endurance.

"It's high-speed orienteering and a real test of racing prowess. It's a skill as well as an art – an extremely different sport," says Rangoonwala.

The British-Asian entrepreneur, whose business interests include the Swanbourne property fund with a portfolio of rental assets approaching £1bn, is believed to have invested at least €£12m of his personal wealth in developing the P1 concept.

Next up in the racing circuit is Tunisia in July, with races in Spain, Portugal and Bahrain to follow in the autumn. A recent grand prix event round the Isle of Wight attracted more than 65,000 spectators.

But the more important audience, and the critical factor in determining whether P1 will be a business success, is the television viewer. "It took Bernie Ecclestone 15 years to get the television companies to pay him for Formula One coverage," says Rangoonwala. "But I think the market's demanding more content. I think there's a requirement for it."

O'Toole says a new TV deal with Eurosport will provide the platform that P1 needs. "We expect the sport will reach 100 million people worldwide. The package includes a preview show; it shows the whole race series, which is repeated twice, and there's an end-of-season review."

Media analysts do not believe that Eurosport is paying for the coverage, although the terms of the deal are confidential. They are watching events at P1 carefully. "The first thing they have to establish is a proper showcase for the sport," says an account executive at a major London advertising agency. "If P1 gets critical mass, the profile and consumer awareness it seeks, then the rest follows naturally – sponsorship, advertising, the works."

P1's existing partners and sponsors include the champagne producer Taittinger; clothier Dread; Raymarine, maker of nautical navigation and technical systems; and LG, hi-tech kit manufacturer.

But O' Toole insists that the razamatazz, marketing and sponsorship surrounding P1 is secondary to the industrial aspects of the grand prix tour. "Our raison d'être is to give the industry a marketing platform – hulls, boats, drive-shafts – in the way F1 has done for the motor industry," he says. "If it can be done for cars and motorbikes, it can be done for boats."

Sunseeker, Cigarette and Hustler are among the boat brands competing in the grand prix.

Rangoonwala offers a slightly distorted rich man's view of the sport: "Actually it's a product that's readily available to ... I can't really say a normal person, but it's a product anyone can go and buy off the shelf. You can't be a racing driver but you can go and buy a P1 boat any time you like. You can buy an Evolution Class boat on the water now."

These boats, which cost from $200,000 to $2m, will still be beyond the purchasing power of the vast majority.

Still, the excitement around the events continues, with more and more spectators and sponsors showing an interest. At the Tunisia Grand Prix, the sponsor of one boat will be a firm that O'Toole refers to as "long muscle – it's a French version of Viagra".

[Kuwaiti]

Thats nice. i personally cant wait!
im a big fan of F1 powerboat racing.
Kuwait doesnt have a team sadly.

but I support F1 Qatar Team, which is led by John Price, defending champions of season 2008.
Abu Dhabi also has a team.

so inshallah the people of Bahrain can enjoy a good race, and unlike Formula 1, this championship will have Arabian teams that locals can support.

[Adel]

Unfortunately there are no Gulf teams in this Powerboat P1 grand prix, and it's the first time it's held in the Middle East

http://www.powerboatp1.com/teams/evolution.aspx

http://www.powerboatp1.com/teams/supersport.aspx

[Kuwaiti]

^oh sorry LOL!

I got confused with this one:

http://www.f1boat.com/09/teamlist09.html

^see? there's Qatar team and Abu Dhabi team lol. :-P

They should bring F1 boat racing to bahrain instead of P1, in my opinion...

[Adel]

The boats are different, I like the P1 better

I think Bahrain wants to bring something new for the first time, F1 boating has been organised in the Gulf for a while now.

F1 Boats



- 225 km/h on water!
- 400 hp at 10,000 rpm!
- 0 to 160 km/h in 4 seconds!

WHAT IS FORMULA 1 RACING?
Formula 1 Powerboat racing is the most spectacular watersport in the world. It has been described as driving the F1 race car at full speed over a ploughed field. Formula 1 Powerboats accelerate faster than even the most state-of-the-art F1 cars; they are capable of going from standstill to 160 kilometres per hour in only 4 seconds.

Impressive as this is by itself, they compete at these speeds without the use of brakes or gears. It is competitive, fascinating, challenging, daring, risky and entertaining. Formula 1 Powerboat racing is the ultimate extreme sport.


DEFYING THE LAWS OF GRAVITY
Formula 1 Powerboat racing has to be seen to believe. Spectators who are new to this most spectacular watersport are invariably left spellbound when they witness these lightweight catamarans defying the laws of gravity and virtually lifted in the air during high-speed manoeuvre with only a portion of the boat in contact with the water.
It is amazing that these boats can manage to maintain their balance in more than 160kph, taking hairpin turns at 90 mph without brakes and shifting gears, what’s more with limited visibility, One tiny error of judgement would spell high-speed disaster.

Driving a powerboat is like piloting a fighter jet, F1 pilots need to have that split-second decision making capability and nerves of steel because once strapped into his fully enclosed safety capsule, he has only his skills, courage and a certain amount of luck to achieve success on the race circuit.

The rivalry between powerboat pilots often thrill the crowds with near-collision overtaking and daring acts as they blazed their boats across the water in high-octane velocity, considerable dexterity and finely tuned driving skills,


THE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES
Inaugurated in 1981, this international competition is similar to F1 for cars and similar rules apply. Across the world, teams of different nationalities compete in the Grand Prix, which is regulated by the Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM) and the International Powerboating Association.


THE CHAMPIONSHIP RACES
Races are organised at selected locations around the world based on the water conditions, infrastructures, public access, local hotels amenities and telecommunication facilities, Each race last for 45 minutes with up to 24 boats hurtle around the race circuit at thundering speed of 225kph (130mph). All races are broadcast worldwide on TV, on local channels and international networks.


THE CIRCUITS
Every race circuit is different in size, but are generally about 2000 meters in distance. Each circuit has at least one long straightaway and several tight turns, mostly left with one or two right turns. The turns produce a G-force of up to 4.5 on the driver, which means his weight is multiplied 4.5 times as he makes a tight U-turn at over 100 mph (F1 car drivers endure only 2.5).


WATER CONDITIONS
Water conditions playa major part in the outcome of each Grand Prix. With water current and wind conditions varying on every lap and spray being continually showered over the tiny console screen, pilots are quite often driving ‘blind’ at full speed, mere inches away from their rivals. In the event of a ‘barrel-roll’ (capsize), a mandatory air bag installed above the pilot’s head will inflate upon contact with water. This enables the cockpit to remain above water until rescue arrives. Some pilots have a self-contained air supply fitted inside the capsule as an added safety features.


EVENT STARTING POSITIONS
Pole position and starting line-ups are determined by multiple qualifying sessions on Saturday during the race week. State-of-the-art timing equipment records the performances of each boat to decide the final classification and starting positions.


THE TEAMS
Each team consists of a manager, one or two pilots, mechanics, radio coordinator, technical coordinator and equipped with infrastructure such as trailer workshop and welcome marquee. They should have one or two catamarans fitted with 2.5 litre engine and compete between ten to fourteen Grand Prix events that make up a full season.


THE BOATS
Imagine this: up to 24 lightweight, 16-foot carbon fiber catamaran hurtle around a racing circuit at speeds topping 225kph (130mph); all boats are powered by highly tuned V6 outboard engines, each pumping out 400 horsepower at 10,000 rpm; they boast an awesome power to weight ratio, weighing in at around 500 kilos with a 425hp fully-tuned engine strapped on the transom; they have no brakes or gearboxes. Yes, These are F1 Powerboats.


THE CHAMPIONS
For the last few years, the Italian Cappellini is the 9 time WC, however his main competitor in the last 10 seasons, Scott Gillman is showing his dominance having won the WC two of the last 3 seasons.
There are a number of new pilots who are making the race more competitive than ever. At each event, about twenty to twenty four pilots represent at least 12 nations, not to mention the countless sponsors, managers, radiomen and women, team members, safety crews and boats, medical staff, doctors, and spectators. The atmosphere is buoyant as tension mounts amongst the competitors, all of whom have worked so hard to be worthy of competing in the F1 Powerboat World Championships.



P1 Boats



All Powerboat P1 boats are twin-engined monohull craft, but there are distinct differences between the Evolution and SuperSport classes.

The closed-canopy Evolution class boats are more specialised and more powerful prototype hulls, with bigger engines and speeds in excess of 100mph. The open-topped SuperSport boats have more in common with production designs that you can buy, but they’re very powerful and fast, with an 85mph top speed.

Both the Evolution and SuperSport classes are governed by a power-to-weight ratio rule to ensure close competition. More powerful boats have to be heavier making them struggle under acceleration and while cornering buoys, while smaller-engined boats are lighter and more manoeuvrable.

Boats in both Evolution and SuperSport are required to have a minimum crew of two – one to steer the boat and one to control the throttles. Although this might seem lazy to car drivers, both roles are equally demanding.

The pilot has to steer the boat through unpredictable waves, keeping an eye out for rival boats around them and the hard-to-spot buoys. The throttle-person has to keep blipping the engine to avoid over-revving it as the boat and propeller crashes in and out of the waves. He also keeps an eye on the engine temperature and oil pressure dials, while acting as a second set of eyes for the buoys and rival boats. You can see why some crews add a third navigator. He’s certainly not just there for the ride…!

[TheRedofBahrain]

I think P1 Bahrain is cancelled because we are not on their website for any of the fixtures...anyone know whats going on? Did we delay it a year?
http://www.powerboatp1.com/season/

[Adel]

Sicily replaces Bahrain as 2009 final destination in order for teams to be able to manage their costs during the economic downturn

Wednesday 22 July 2009

Powerboat P1 can today announce that it will be returning to Italy for the 2009 World Championship season finale in Sicily on September 11-13.

Heading back to the Mediterranean’s largest island after a five-year absence, Powerboat P1’s elite will embark upon the exquisite city of Syracuse, which dates back over 2,700 years to 734 BC. Replacing Bahrain as this year's final destination, Syracuse was once described by Cicero as being the "greatest Greek city and most beautiful of them all."

Asif Rangoonwala, Powerboat P1 Chairman and CEO said: “We have chosen to stage the final two rounds of this year's World Championship in Italy as it is the stronghold of powerboating and provides a central European location for all of our teams and a stunning setting for the climax of the season.

“The decision to replace Bahrain on this year’s circuit is also a response to the need for teams to manage their costs during the current economic downturn.”Looking ahead to the 2010 season, Rangoonwala added, “Having already announced that Croatia will be added to Powerboat P1’s growing portfolio of new venues in 2010, as well as ongoing negotiations to secure long term commitments in Sweden and Turkey, our objective remains to expand our international racing calendar.

"We are fully committed to connecting with as many different people as possible at Powerboat P1 and are in discussions with various other locations in the Middle East to consider racing there in the near future.”

Rounds seven and eight of the Powerboat P1 World Championship take place in Gothenburg, Sweden for the inaugural Scandinavian Grand Prix of the Sea on 7-9 August 2009.

[TheRedofBahrain]

Shame, I'd rather we host the P1 then the F2...

[bbs022]

Finally!
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