ABU DHABI - Tuesday, July 12, 2011 - The UIM F1 H2O World Championship tours CTIC CHINA Team driving star Philippe Chiappe of France getting ready for this weekend's 12th Grand Prix of Russia in Kazan stayed fresh by winning the UIM Necko Endurance World Championship in Augustow, Poland in a convincing 10 lap victory.

The eight hour endurance event saw the Class 3 boats taking on the field of international competition for a grueling match-up that was completed in a time of 7:58:02:04 with 369 laps in the record books when the day was over during the July 2-3 weekend in Eastern Europe.

Philippe was the leading driver of the three pilot team with co-racers Nelson and Peter Morin part of the Team Drakkar French effort. They defeated the Pegase Racing threesome of Christophe Boyard, Rodolphe Avenel and Xavier Savin also from France, who completed the endurance event with 359 laps.

Chiappe, who lives in Rouen and has won his home 24 hour race before, doesn't shy away from endurance racing. “It's great to do these events as it gets me ready and keeps me sharp for my F1 calender,” said Philippe. “Now I am ready to add a second podium to my F1 season this weekend in Kazan and will focus on the championship now that I am back from Poland.”

The 47 year-old driver will be making his 71st Grand Prix start this weekend in Russia with six career top-three finishes including one in Russia back in 2009 which was the first of his career.

The 12th Grand Prix of Russia in Kazan will be this weekend on the 16th and 17th of July with both Qualifying and the Grand Prix set for a 16:00 local start (12:00 GMT). Both qualifying and the Grand Prix can be viewed live by going to the official UIM F1 H2O website: www.f1h2o.com.

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