Price capitalises on tour leaders' woes to win race

Abu Dhabi: Reigning champion Jay Price, the American driver of Qatar FI Team, emerged victorious in the second race of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix — the penultimate round of the UIM Formula One Powerboats World Champion — and increased his tally to 105 points taking third place in the drivers' standings one week before the final two rounds in Sharjah.

The day was a bad one for the leading drivers, Italian Guido Cappellini, the leader with 129 points, the UAE's hero Thani Al Qamzi, second with 119 points, and Finn Sami Selio with 100, as all of them suffered mechanical troubles and had to retire from competition, leaving a clear field for Price to score his first win in Abu Dhabi.

‘Bad day'

Despite their withdrawal, Cappellini and Al Qamzi kept their two leading places and wait to settle the title in Sharjah on December 11 and 12. Price, Jonas Andersson, from Sweden with 104 points and Selio can also win the title as there are 40 points at stake in the next two races.

The UAE's rising star Ahmad Al Hamli finished second with Frenchman Philippe Chiape third, and Italian Fabio Comparato fourth followed by their countryman Francesco Cantando and Portuguese Pennavent respectively.

"It was a bad day," Al Qamzi told Gulf News. "My boat suffered engine problems and I had to withdraw at a time I was pinning my hope on winning the first place in the race. I still have two races to compensate in Sharjah next week."

"I am happy because my points will help our team to continue in the competition for the Teams title this year. I am sorry for Thani [Al Qamzi] but I am sure he will be at this best in Sharjah," Al Hamli said.