Abu Dhabi’s Class 3 revival sets the pace for new championship to thrive
New series expected to quickly attract top challengers worldwide
Abu Dhabi, UAE, 10th
March, 2023: The revival of Class 3 powerboat racing in Abu Dhabi this weekend
could quickly lead to an influx of top teams from around the world to contest
the new UAE championship.
Shaun Torrente and Faleh Al
Mansoori, Team Abu Dhabi’s former UIM XCAT World
Championship-winning combination, have joined forces again for the start of the new
series, which is organised by Abu Dhabi Marine Sports Club (ADMSC).
They face stern opposition in the first round
of the UAE Class 3 Powerboat Championship
from Arif Al Zaffain and Nadir Bin Hendi, who secured the XCAT world title on home waters for Dubai Police in 2021.
Dmitry Vandyshev and Mikhail Kitashev, who
took the New Star team to fourth place overall in the same series two years
ago, are also in contention, along with Oman’s Abdul Latif Omani & Bader Al
Dousari.
Team Abu Dhabi’s Rashed Al Tayer and Majed Al
Mansoori complete the line up in the first round of the series, which began with official practice this afternoon.
Salem Al Remeithi, General
Manager of ADMSC, said: “The plan is to stage other rounds later in the year, and
then next year to have five to seven events across the Emirates.
“This is just the start, but
already teams from other parts of the Gulf and overseas are observing what
we’re doing, and thinking of joining us next year. We think that in 2024, the
championship will attract a lot of top teams from Europe and other parts of the
world.”
Torrente, the three-time UIM F1H2O world champion, said: “It’s great that the championship is back, and hopefully it
will thrive. I think it has a great future. Once all the boats are back here
for the winter, we can make a really nice championship.
“I raced here in the Class 3
championship 13 years ago. It was an awesome time. It’s really good for the
racers. The UAE does a wonderful job in hosting us, and there’s good prize
money as well.
“I’m very happy to be back
with Faleh. He’s got a real feel for the boat. We have a strong relationship so
it should be good. He’s a great driver.”
Following a second official practice session tomorrow (Saturday) morning on a course set between Lulu Island and the Abu Dhabi Corniche, the pole position qualifier follows in the afternoon ahead of Sunday’s Class 3 race.
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