Zafeen keen to make winning start to career

Athens, Greece: Victory 77 debutant Aref Al Zafeen is keen to make a winning start to his Class One career when the first round of the 2007 WPPA Class One World Powerboat Championship takes off in Athens today.

"Yes, Class One racing is something that is new to me. But a race is a race and I hope to give it my best shot when action starts here," Al Zafeen told Gulf News.

Al Zafeen has been a regular on the Powerboating scene, his most recent accomplishment being a sponsorship from His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Vice President and Prime Mininster of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai representing the Dubai Team at the World Formula 2 Powerboat Championship this season.

"Class One has been new to me, and I remember how nervous I was when I stepped into a Class One boat for winter testing last year," Al Zafeen recalled.

"But it seems I did a good job and Jean Marc Sanchez was pleased after our first session out there on the water."

That gave the Victory 77 driver a lot of confidence and he has not looked behind since then.

Growth process

"Jean Marc has loads of experience in Class One racing. I realise the need to be with him and learn from him constantly," Al Zafeen said.

"It is a growth process, and I am pleased with the way I have been faring so far."

Al Zafeen was part of an extensive preparation programme during the winter for the new season.

"The testing has helped me a lot in improving myself as a driver and combining with my teammate, both on and off the waters," Al Zafeen said.

However, Al Zafeen clearly knows that the moment of truth will come later this weekend after the first round of the 2007 season.

"This week's race is very important to us for more than one reason.

"We know that all the other boats look at the two Victory boats as challengers, and we have a reputation to defend.

"But I also have a personal goal during this race... I want to complete this race, and a podium like Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton, would be a bonus," he said. The Dubai driver wants to compete in both the world championships - Class One and Formula 2 this season.

"And it will be a dream come true if I win podium places in both the championships at the end of the season," Al Zafeen beamed.