Victory 1 on crest of a wave as team clinch eighth title

Last updated: December 06, 2008 | 23:53

2 MIN READ

Dubai: Victory 1 capped an amazing run this season winning the Mina Seyahi Grand Prix and clinching an eighth world title for the Dubai team during the penultimate round of the 2008 UIM/WPPA Class One World Powerboat Championship yesterday.

Starting off in third position on the grid, Victory 1 played a game of patience as they pursued early leaders Qatar 96 at their own pace, till the Qatari boat stopped on the 14th lap of the 21-lap race.

After that it was easy going for the Dubai boats as Victory 7 followed Victory 1 to take the top two positions in the Mina Seyahi Grand Prix. Giorgio Manuzzi and Nicola Giorgi led SeveneleveN to third position and their first-ever podium finish for this season.

Qatar 95 encountered engine problems midway through the race, but escaped with a fourth place and nine points.

Victory 1 takes the world title with 125 points, Victory 7 comes in second with 105 points, while Qatar 95 is in third overall with 81 points.

Khalfan Hareb, managing director of Victory Team and Saeed Hareb, managing director of DIMC, presented the trophies to the winners after the race.

Thrilling win

Khalfan Hareb was thrilled with the superb one-two finish from the Dubai boats.

"It's an amazing result for us. We will definitely be looking forward to a similar finish at the next race too," Khalfan said.

For driver Mohammad Al Merri this has been a dream season since his comeback on the circuit since 2001.

"We are a team and we proved this yet again today," Al Merri said. Throttleman Nader Bin Hendi, who is only in his second season on the Class One circuit, it could have been better. "It's an amazing feeling to be crowned the world champion. I want to dedicate this trophy to President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and to His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai," Bin Hendi said. The Mina Seyahi Grand Prix was a part of the ten-day long Sea Dubai Watersports Festival being held under the patronage of Shaikh Majid Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority.