Mamaia-Constanta, Romania: With the sun beating down and temperatures touching the mid-90s, the heat is on for the trailing Class 1 World Powerboat Championship fleet as the Dubai Victory Team home in on an eighth world title on the banks of the Black Sea.
The two-boat Dubai squad, currently lying first and second in the world championship, will move a step closer to the sport's premier prize with a win in tomorrow's Romanian Grand Prix.
And with frustration brewing as to how to halt the Victory charge, the drivers expect a heated affair on Mamaia's Lake Siutghoil.
"We have shown our rivals that all the time and preparation we put in during the winter was worthwhile," said Victory 1 throttleman Nadir Bin Hindi.
Not getting credit
"There has been a lot of talk saying it is all down to the boat. It's frustrating that everyone looks to see where we gain an advantage without giving us credit for the hours we have spent on both the boats and our racing.
"But we just ignore it, get our heads down and get on with the job. If we listened to half the rubbish that is said, we'd never get anything done."
Bin Hindi and partner Mohammad Al Merri yesterday took to the water for the first time since finishing fourth in Norway.
Putting the 1,800hp Dubai-built Victory 1 through its paces during pre-race testing, the duo were more than a second quicker than nearest rivals Jotun 90.
Bin Hindi admitted there was still "plenty in the tank" as Victory 1 returned a time of 2m:45.90s compared to the day's best of Norway's Jorn Tandberg and Inge Aarbakke in Jotun who finished in 2m:47.65s.
While Al Merri and Bin Hindi were underlining their title credentials, team-mates Jean Marc Sanchez and an ailing Abdullah Al Mehairbi turned in a solid performance with the fifth best time of the day (2m:54.78s) despite Al Mehairbi struggling with flu.
"I feel terrible," said the Dubai rookie who climbed out of his sick bed to go out and slash almost 20 seconds off his lap times.
"I'm aching and sweating but I'll carry on. I haven't felt this bad during a race weekend all season."
Sanchez was quick to praise his new partner.
"We always take it easy on the first day and get to know the course," said the Frenchman, winner of last year's inaugural Romanian Grand Prix.
Knowing the water
"It's all about getting used to the parts of the water where you can pick up time in the race. I wanted to do one more lap but Abdullah was driving so well, despite being sick, there was no need to carry on."
Meanwhile, the Class 1 World Powerboat Championship organisers have confirmed that round six will take place in Egypt's Porto Sokhna on October 24, one week later than originally scheduled.
It will be the first of a three-stretch run of races that will see the boats finish the campaign in the Middle East. Following the Egyptian Grand Prix, the fleet will be shipped to Dubai for the final two rounds of the Championship in December.
