ABU DHABI,United Arab Emirates – Wednesday, December 2, 2009 – Two of the greatest powerboat racing drivers the world has ever known Renato Molinari and Bill Seebold have arrived today in Abu Dhabi to begin a 10 day celebration of their induction into the first U.I.M. F1 H2O World Championship “Hall of Fame” class culminating with a gala awards dinner wrapping up the current 2009 season on Friday, December 11th in the city of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates.
For the Italian Molinari and the America Seebold they both arrive just in time to enjoy and celebrate the patriotic fervor of the countries “National Day” a 48 hour celebration marking the 38th year of the historic beginning of the United Arab Emirates as and independent country.
The “Hall of Fame” was established this year to honor only the very special drivers, officials, crew and other personnel who have made major contributions to the U.I.M. F1 H2O World Championship over the previous 29 year racing history of the sport.
Both Renato and Bill were part of four candidates that were voted on earlier this year with they being the top two vote getters decided by the media members, race fans and other officials to determine whom would be the first “class” to be enshrined into the hall.
“It's so great to have both Renato and Bill arrive today,” said F1 H2O promoter Nicolo di San Germano. “They will be with us for the next two races and enjoy the same enthusiasm and excitement we are feeling with still four races to go in the championship and many fine drivers still with a solid chance to be crowned World Champion before the season closes on the 11th of December.”
Nicolo went on to state further, “These two people helped develop the sport back in the early days and are true pioneers in making this series what it is today. Now it's time that the we recognize what they have done and open the door in order that the world can now honor them as well with their Hall of Fame selection. I couldn't be happier with the vote.”
Interestingly enough both Renato and Bill were onetime teammates and bitter rivals on the water for many years with both racing for Team Mercury and later Molinari switching to the OMC group in an all out war between the two American manufacturers for supremacy on the water in the 1970's and early 1980's.
Renato was crowned World Champion three of the first four F1 seasons in 1981, 1983 and 1984. While Bill won over 900 races in his career and 60 International titles eventually retiring as North American Champion at the age of 57 in 1997.
Both drivers will be able to watch tonight's world's largest fireworks show ever created in a 45 minute display that will feature 100,000 devices set off from 12 different barges situated off shore Abu Dhabi. The event will far over shadow the previous record of 66,000 devices set in 2006 on the island of Madeira for a New Years Eve display that set a Guinness World Record.
The fireworks on the water for the 17th Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi begins with back to back Grand Prix events stating at 15:30 UTC local time and and 11:30 GMT. Both races can be watched live by going to the official website at www.f1h2o.com .
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