Team Abu Dhabi looking to go one better in China

Abu Dhabi: Team Abu Dhabi driver Rashid Al Tayer and throttleman Majid Al Mansouri begin their challenge for honours in the Sanya Grand Prix, round one of the 2013 UIM Class One World Powerboat Championship, in China this weekend.

The opening event of a provisional seven-race calendar visits the southern Chinese city for the first time and runs in conjunction with a round of the UIM Aquabike series.

Al Tayer and Al Mansouri finished second overall behind Victory Three’s Arif Saif Al Zafein and Mohammad Al Merri in the World, Pole Position and Middle East Championships in 2012 and third in the European Championship. The goal this season for the Emirati duo is to go one better and attempt to beat the defending World Champions at the first race in China. “It’s a new venue, a new course, a new season and a new challenge,” said Al Tayer.

Following the withdrawal of the Spirit of Qatar Team to concentrate on an American racing programme, both Team Abu Dhabi and the Dubai-based Victory Team face challenges from several other new rivals at the opening round in China, although the actual starting line-up in Sanya will not be finalised until after administration and scrutineering on Wednesday.

Australians Darren Nicholson and Ross Willaton, are sure to be competitive in Victory Team of Australia 7, and Luca Formilli-Fendi and Giovanni Carpitella raced well last season in Luca Fendi Racing 10. Add in the new Norwegian pairing of F1 H2O female racer Marit Stromoy and the experienced Pal-Virik Nilsen, and other entrants from Italy, Great Britain, Turkey and Norway, and the stage is set for a fascinating weekend’s racing in China.

Team Abu Dhabi runs under the auspices of the Abu Dhabi Marine Sports Club and the support of Etihad Airways as the team’s official carrier for Class 1 racing. Salem Al Romaithi acts as the head of operations with the team running under the chairmanship of Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, President’s Representative.