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Doha to kick off 10-race World Powerboat Championship
The International Offshore Team Association (IOTA) has confirmed a 10-race calendar for the 2008 WPPA Class One World Powerboat Championship.
- By Alaric Gomes, Staff Reporter
- Published: 23:41 February 5, 2008
Dubai: The International Offshore Team Association (IOTA) has confirmed a 10-race calendar for the 2008 WPPA Class One World Powerboat Championship.
The championship has so far attracted a 10-boat entry, including new teams and driver line-ups.
The Montenegrin City of Budva joins Doha, Arendal, Constanta, Porto Sokhna and Dubai as venues for and heads the list of new venues and countries lining up to host a round of the World Professional Powerboat Association second season.
"The aim is to ensure the sport finds new destinations and people recognise us," said Saeed Hareb, Chairman of the WPPA.
"We've done a good job in maintaining some of the venues while bringing in some new ones this season."
Races have also been scheduled in Spain, the Ukraine and Bahrain. Egypt will host its second Class One Grand Prix, but the venue moves from the Mediterranean coast of Porto Marina to the spectacular Red Sea resort of Porto Sokhna.
Ten boats will line up for the season opener in Dohaon March 1 with several changes in the driver-throttleman duos announced at a press conference in Dusseldorf last week.
Victory Team Manager, Gianfranco Venturelli, confirmed 2007 Class One World and European Champions, Arif Saif Al Zafein and Jean-Marc Sanchez will line up in different boats.
Qatar Team Principal Shaikh Hassan Bin Jaber Al Thani said he will line up alongside eight-times World Champion, Steve Curtis, in Qatar 96 with Matteo Nicolini partnering Abdullah Al Sulaiti in Qatar 95.
Giampaolo Montavoci has confirmed Norwegian, Kolbjorn Selmer as his new wheelman in Foresti and Suardi and Ugland Offshore Racing confirmed that throttleman Jorn Tandberg will be joined in the cockpit by Class One newcomer Inge Brigt Aarbakke and Bjorge Jacobsen, who will share driving duties.
2008 Calendar
Mar 1: Doha, Qatar, May 25: Budva, Montenegro, June 15 or 22: Andalucia, Spain (Reserve date), July 20: Arendal, Norway, Aug 17: Yalta, Ukraine (Reserve date), Aug 31: Constanta-Mamaia, Romania, Oct 18: Porto Sokhna, Egypt, Nov 7: Manama, Bahrain (Reserve date), Nov 29: Dubai, Dec 6: Dubai, UAE.
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