Dubai: The wild card entries of two boats from Abu Dhabi and the return to racing of former racing manager Piersimone Volpe will be among the highlights at this weekend’s final round of the 2014 UIM Skydive Dubai XCAT World Series at the Mina Seyahi waters off Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC).
When action gets underway at 9.30am on Friday with the Emaar Pole Position run, Volpe will be alongside Norwegian Pal Virik Nilsen in the cockpit of Lady Spain. Volpe has decided to return to the hotseat after a gap of two years.
Lady Spain joined the XCAT World Series late and are currently in 13th place overall with 80 points.
Also included in the 15-boat line-up will be two wild card entries from Abu Dhabi following an invitation from organisers the World Professional Powerboat Association (WPPA).
F1 driver Ahmad Al Hameli will team up with former F1 world champion Scott Gillman from the US in Boat No.4, while Rashid Al Tayer will be alongside Faleh Al Mansouri in Boat No.5. Both boats have agreed to continue their experience in XCAT racing in the 2015 season.
The Fazza pairing of Nader Bin Hindi and Arif Al Zafe’in have already wrapped up the 2014 world crown with an insurmountable total of 1,600 points. They are followed by stablemates Dubai in second on 789, while the Italian trio of T-Bone Station (620), Six (511) and Marine Investment Sud (487) occupy the next three spots.
Action got under way on Thursday afternoon with the official practice. After Friday morning’s pole run, spectators will witness the head-to-head drag race-style Dubai Duty Free Speed Cat Run from 3pm.
The main event, the Emirates Airline XCAT Grand Prix, will take place from 2.30pm on Saturday.