ABU DHABI - Saturday, December 7, 2013 - It seems that almost every year the UIM F1 H2O World Championship for powerboating comes down to its final round in Sharjah, UAE to determine the World Drivers Championship.
Well, on the surface, 2013 seems to be no different with drivers from 14 different nations ready to compete. However, this time a "dash of flash" has been thrown in the mix with a pair of two-time World Champions fighting it out alongside a dynamic newcomer who wants to raise his own mark to legendary status.
Finland's Sami Selio, who won in a "must win" situation for his first world title back in 2007 on this 2.23 kilometer six-pin circuit, is once again facing that same scenario.
Three years later in a dual against American Jay Price of the Qatar Team in 2010 he won the title for a second time. So, this place has great memories for him as he heads to the lagoon this week.
This year, the Mad Croc Team pilot faces not one, but two drivers from the Qatar Team that he must defeat including two-time defending world titlist Alex Carella. The Italian, who hasn't finished a race on the lagoon in the last two years, hopes to change that after crashing out in 2011 and breaking down a year ago. The good news was, despite these failures he was still able to capture crowns both years.
Selio, leads the points chase with 64 coming off the strength of a pair of victories in Brazil back in June and two weeks ago in at the Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi.
"We know what to do, we've done this before," said Mad Croc Team Manager Michael Jenkins. "Sami's ready, the teams ready so, let's get the show started."
For Carella, who is just four points behind with 20 still on the table, he is also confident and ready to take his third straight crown.
If Alex can get the job done, he would be only the second driver in history of the sport to do so since fellow Italian legend Guido Cappellini last accomplished the feat back in 2001, 2002 and 2003.
"I think we have the advantage," said Alex. "With both experience and a two boat team in the title chase we are fully ready and confident to do what it takes. We'll push very hard to grab pole to help give us that advantage we'll need starting from the number one position."
Meanwhile, Alex's teammate, one of the most dynamic drivers in the world today, American Shaun Torrente, is also one of the "three amigos" for the championship. He has been a lighting rod in the sport since joining the tour in 2011 and is just two points behind Sami.
Shaun, is two points ahead of teammate Carella with 62 and is salivating over his opportunity to earn something he has dreamed about since his young days in South Florida, winning the F1 title.
"We've worked hard to get where we are all year long despite a less but perfect season to this point," said the Miami driver.
"Now, it's all or nothing. We realize it's our time and place to fight for this title and for the pride of the Qatar Team. The hopes of my hard working crew along my personal dreams for the championship are before me now and it's time to act."
A true "dark horse" but still "circling the wagons" for his first World Championship is driver Philippe Chiappe of the CTIC China Team.
The Frenchman is stuck playing catch-up with 54 points and is ten points back of Selio after his disqualification from the Grand Prix of Qatar almost a month ago.
The likeable driver from Rouen will be hoping bad luck strikes all three above him in the standings and that at the same time he can win for the second time this season.
It's all going to happen when the weekend starts next Thursday, December 12th for the battle that is set on the Khalid Lagoon just footsteps from the Persian Gulf for the Grand Prix of Sharjah. Qualifying for the all-important pole position starts at 13:50 local, 11:50 GMT and 6:50 EST on the East Coast of North America.
The 15th race for the Grand Prix of Sharjah is scheduled for a 16:00 local, 12:00 GMT and 07:00 EST on the East Coast of North America. Both qualifying and the Grand Prix can be seen live via the internet by going to the UIM F1 H2O World Championship's website at www.f1h2o.com and watched through the worldwide television feed.
Three drivers, three dreams and only one will find true glory with a World Championship on the Khalid Lagoon as the sun sets on the 30th racing season and the 252nd Grand Prix in the history of the UIM F1 H2O World Championship for powerboating.
Be In The Know - With F1 H2O!
