Dubai: There’s all to race for when the second round of the 2015 UIM XCAT World Series takes place at the Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC) this weekend.
After a dramatic first round in Fujairah, where the race was delayed by a day due to dangerously high winds and rough seas before Rashid Al Tayer and Faleh Al Mansouri’s Team Abu Dhabi took a series lead with a total of 36 points.
Just six points behind them is the Italian duo of Tomaso Polli and Matteo Nicolini in Hoorsenbuhs, while another of the new additions to the series, Swecat Racing (Erik Stark and Mikael Bengtsson) currently occupy third spot with 28 points.
Last year’s champions Fazza, with Arif Al Zafein and Nader Bin Hindi on board, made a clean sweep of all the 2014 races but are languishing in eighth spot after their engine caught fire during the Fujairah race and they were forced to retire.
Their seven points were earned by their victory in the Dubai Duty Free Speed Cat Run, which for the first time this season counts towards the overall points total. They will be looking to return to that familiar top step of the podium in Dubai.
“With the fantastic race we had in Fujairah last month, the UIM XCAT World Series is perfectly poised as we go into the second round here in Dubai,” said Dr Khalid Al Zahed, Vice President of the World Professional Powerboat Association (WPPA), the organisers and promoters of the series.
“Dubai promises to produce an epic battle as the defending champions look to regain their dominance while the new teams will be aiming to stand their ground, with the other teams also constantly challenging for those all-important series points.”
This weekend’s action gets under way at DIMC on Thursday with the first official practice, while the race for pole position and the head-to-head Dubai Duty Free Speed Cat Run will take place on Friday. The main event — the Dubai GP — will be held on Saturday afternoon.
Entry to the public areas at DIMC is free of charge.