ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates – 24th of September, 2009 – The World’s most talented drivers are getting geared up to be the featured act for the much talked about International Aquatic Carnival to he held during the week of October 1st thru the 7th on the Liu River in Liuzhou, China as the U.I.M. F1 H2O World Championship for power boating arrives for the seventh and eighth rounds of their 2009 championship.
The Grand Prix weekend will feature two events on back to back days on Tuesday, the sixth and Wednesday the seventh marking the second time in two years the U.I.M. F1 H2O world tour has come to this lovely 2,100 year old venue 2,033 km southwest of Shanghai. The city known chiefly for its auto production is headquarters to three of the countries top vehicle manufacturers. Liuzhou, known as the “Dragon City” also a major player in the pharmaceutical business along with it’s steel production, fruit, sugar cane and silk.
Located in the central region of the Guangxi Province it’s also a popular tourist area featuring its nearby mountains, caves and karst scenery ideal for exploring the large minority villages in the area. Being in the Southern part of China, Liuzhou is in the Monsoon Climate zone where temperatures are expected to be 30C or 86F during the carnival all week long.
“It’s spectacular what they are doing this year to make this an even larger event for not only the local citizens but for the worldwide stage,” said U.I.M. F1 H2O Promoter Nicolo Di San Germano. “With the Waterski and Wakeboard World Cup Series starting the events from Thursday the first until Saturday the third, it gives everyone here something to enjoy leading up to our pair of Grand Prix events on the sixth and seventh marking a weeks worth of activity on the Liu River.”
“I’ve been coming to China for over 14 years and I have to say that Liuzhou is one of the most strikingly beautiful venues I’ve ever seen. We can’t wait to see once more this year the tremendous crowds of spectators and fans who enjoyed our sport and who I know will be lining the circuit around the Liu River once again as we mark the halfway point of our sixteen race season in 2009.”
The week of activity kicks off in earnest with the International Waterski & Wakeboard Federation (IWWF) taking to the water on the second of October featuring the world’s highest ranked Waterski Jumpers and most of the world’s best Wakeboard Riders on their 28th World Cup stop of the season culminating with four final events on Saturday the third.
The F1 H2O boats begin the first of two back to back Grand Prix events on Tuesday the seventh with a full day of activity beginning with an hour of official practice from 0930 to 1030 CST (UTC+8) followed by a 45 minute qualifying session to determine the starting grid from 11:15 to 1200 CST. The Seventh Round of the 2009 U.I.M. F1 H2O World Championship will take place beginning at 1500 CST and running for 30 minutes plus two green flag laps. The following day on the eighth of October the schedule will be identical for the eighth Grand Prix of the year.
Team Abu Dhabi driver Thani Al Qamzi leads the driver’s championship with 65 points looking for his second victory in China following his 2007 victory in Xian. His lead in series is 10 points with last year’s race winner and defending World Champion Jay Price of the Qatar Team second with 55 points. The American veteran is also hoping for a second win, while scoring podium finishes in all three races he’s finished in China.
What a great way to salute the 60th anniversary of the Peoples Republic of China celebration as the U.I.M. F1 H2O comes to highlight the first International Aquatic Carnival along the spectacular downtown riverfront in the lovely city of Liuzhou in China on the sixth and seventh of October. China’s participation in the series is becoming part of a growing tradition of historical importance with this event making this the 10th time that this far eastern country has been part of the championship since 1995.
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