Dubai: Organisers Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC) are all set to launch the inaugural round of the 2016 F1H2O UIM World Championship at Mina Seyahi this weekend.
Held under the auspices of the watersports governing body, Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM), this is the first time that a round of the exciting world series is being hosted in Dubai.
On Thursday, action will get under way with the drivers’ briefing at 9am followed by a free practice session for an hour before noon. The qualifying round for the race that will decide which of the boats start in Pole Position will be held from 3.30 to 4.30pm. The qualifying session is normally divided into three quarters of 20 minutes each, with the third and final qualifying stage consisting of two flying laps for the top six boats.
On Friday, there will be a briefing of drivers at 9am followed by a free practice from 10.45 to 11.45am, while the race will be flagged off at 3.30pm.
Mohammad Hareb, CEO, DIMC, was thrilled at the prospect of hosting yet another top-class event at the venue. “For us there are no limitations, be it Class One, Aquabikes, X-Cats, Sailing and now F1. Our goal is to be the best destination for watersport activities in the world,” Hareb told Gulf News.
“All this success would not have been possible without the assistance of a dedicated team of professionals who are ever willing to assist us in maintaining a very high standard of organisation. In addition, our regular partners such as Dubai Civil Defence, the Ambulance services, UAE Coast Guard and the RTA [Roads and Transport Authority] are always willing to lend any sort of assistance,” Hareb added.
At the end of the 2015 season, French driver Philippe Chiappe, of the CTIC China Team, walked away with a second successive world crown with 70 points. He was followed by former three-time world champion Alex Carella (54) of Italy from Team Abu Dhabi and Victory Team’s American driver Shaun Torrente (48), who had joined midway through the season. Team Abu Dhabi won the Teams Championship with 88 points, followed by CTIC China Team (71), Team EMIC (56) and Mad Croc Baba Racing Team (54).
Starting in Dubai, this year’s F1 calendar consists of nine stops including Evian (France), Porto (Portugal), Harbin and Liuzhou in China along with another two stops in Asia, followed by the final two rounds in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.
“Dubai is a destination where all things are possible. Our leaders have constantly shown us the way to achieve everything. Four weeks back, none of this would have been possible if it was not for the willingness of everyone at DIMC working as a team,” Hareb concluded.
