Constanta, Romania: Arch-rivals Spirit of Qatar may have unexpectedly pulled the plug on their title campaign but for Class 1 Powerboat World Championship leaders Victory Team it will be business as usual at the Romanian Grand Prix in Mamaia-Constanta this weekend.
After just two rounds of the 2009 campaign, Qatari team principal Shaikh Hassan Bin Jaber Al Thani withdrew his two-boat challenge - despite holding joint fourth place - following what he described as "misconduct of teams during the start" of the previous race in Norway. While Shaikh Hassan's decision not to resolve his grievances on the water is a disappointment, the series will continue on the delightful setting of Lake Siutghiol in Mamaia, Constanta with two races over a weekend that is likely to draw hundreds of thousands to the popular Black Sea resort.
The first race of 57.22Nm will be staged tomorrow with the second the following day over 71.35Nm. And despite the absence of a team that featured most of the back-up crew of former champions Spirit of Norway and legendary throttleman Steve Curtis, the Victory Team believe they face a major challenge from some of the less celebrated teams in the championship.
"You only have to look at the performance of Maritimo in Norway to see they are getting it together, while Jorn Tandberg won here last year and will be desperate to retain his Romanian title in Welmax," said championship leader Jean Marc Sanchez of Victory 1.
"There's no doubt this weekend will be a major challenge."
Victory 1's win last month in Arendal at the Norwegian Grand Prix means Sanchez and rookie driver Mohammad Al Muhairi lead the world standings on 36 points, five ahead of team-mates Nader Bin Hindi and Arif Al Zafeen on 31 with Giampiero Soave and Giampaolo Montavoci in third on 18 points with Foresti & Suardi-Roscioli Hotels.
But as the championship continues its European trek with the Romanian Grand Prix, all eyes will be on the Australian outfit Maritimo who surprised the field with a brilliant 2-3 finish in Arendal to establish their title credentials.
Speaking after his first test on the water, Maritimo 12 throttleman, Peter "Muddy" McGrath said: "It's a good circuit. The dog-leg turn after the start-finish line is going to be interesting if they leave it as it is, especially if several boats go into it at the same time. It's pretty fast. We saw 147mph on the long back straight, but some of the corners are quite tight.
"In terms of set-up we will need to find a compromise. We may need to throw some speed out the door to be able to punch out of the turns. We have gone back to the settings we used in Norway because the modifications we carried out back in Australia haven't helped us yet. But the boats are running well, quick off the mark and we are out to beat anyone who is near us."
With Spirit of Qatar absent, the Victory Team is looking to take the opportunity of running a three-boat entry with former champion Mohammad Al Merri and last year's runner-up Abdullah Al Muhairbi likely to be paired in a second blue boat to partner Victory 1 and Bin Hindi and Al Zafeen's Fazza 3.
However, no decision has been confirmed on whether the Dubai squad will be able to field three boats with confirmation unlikely to be received until this morning.
