Test driver and Victory Team crew chief Jean Marc Sanchez will stand in with Mohammed Al Marri in the cockpit of Victory 77 for the 2004 offshore powerboat season.
The decision to partner Sanchez with Al Marri has been made following the absence of Saeed Humaid Al Tayer, throttleman for Victory Team, and the first Arab and only the second man in history to win three Class One World Championship.
Al Marri (left) and Saeed Al Tayer |
Commenting on Al Tayer's absence, Victory Team's Managing Director Khalfan Hareb said, "We cannot appreciate enough what he has done for the country as a competitor and as one of the greatest sporting ambassadors from the Arab world.
"Saeed has always been 100 per cent dedicated to Victory Team and a true sportsman. He will leave a very large gap as he will be very difficult to replace." said Hareb.
As a temporary stand in to partner Mohammed Al Marri in the cockpit of Victory 77, Jean Marc Sanchez will take the throttles for the season opener on May 21-23 in the Portuguese city of Lisbon. One of the longest standing members of the team, Jean Marc looks forward to the challenge.
"I am proud of the opportunity to represent Victory Team and Dubai during the Portuguese GP, not to mention honoured in the trust that has been placed in me. I would like to thank them for that," said Jean Marc.
Far from his first outing in the competitive arena, Jean Marc is a seasoned racer having partnered former Victory driver Ali Nasser in 93 and 94 in the Class 2 and having competed in the Class 1 circuit before joining Victory Team in 92.
Speaking about the effect of Al Tayer's absence his cockpit companion Mohammed Al Marri said, "We will be losing a great deal this year without Saeed, not only for Dubai , but for the whole of offshore. Saeed has years of experience in offshore so his personality, input and professionalism in the sport will be missed."
