ABU DHABI – Sunday, September 25, 2011 – There is an old expression that has been passed around for many generations that goes something like this: “They've got nothing to gain, but, everything to lose.”

 Well, this maybe a bit premature but the one team that continues to show the world of powerboat racing that they have “the right stuff” is the all conquering Qatar Team that heads into the fifth round of the UIM F1 H2O World Championship at the Grand Prix of China in Liuzhou with it's two drivers having won three of the first four races with veteran driver Jay Price earning two victories to his young teammate Alex Carella's one.

Price, the 2008 World Champion who makes his home in New Orleans, Louisiana in the USA, is a “gritty” old school driver who raced in Cuba and Mexico for many years earning money with less than optimal equipment on his way to 12 different titles. He has won so far this season the opening round in his teams home event in Doha, Qatar followed up by another victory in Portimao in May at the Grand Prix of Portugal.

Even in his darkest moment of the year, starting back in 15th position in Kazan, Russia in early July because of equipment problems, he was able to charge up the field passing Scott Gillman of Team Abu Dhabi a four-time World Champion to take the final spot on the podium in what many believe has to be “the drive” of the season so far in 2011.

Meanwhile, for the young Carella, the Italian from Piacenza, in just his second year since coming over from F2, has shown he is deserving of a legitimate title chase winning from pole position in Kazan. His pair of runner-up second places along with a fifth at the last event in Kiev have him just 10 points behind Price coming into Liuzhou.

If history is any indicator, Liuzhou is a race that falls into Price's hands. In four previous starts, the “Ragin Cagin” has won two, including being crowned the official defending champion having won last year as well as in 2008. It hasn't been all strawberries and cream however for Jay as he has had some dark moments as well in Liuzhou which should give hope to the competition next weekend having crashed out in race #1 of 2009 and then failing to finish the second event the very next day.

Alex, who was coming off a victory a year ago and had qualified up front crashed out before the race and was forced to start back in tenth position eventually finishing sixth in his only appearance on the Liu River.

The Qatar Team isn't the whole story by far with defending World Champion Sami Selio of the Mad Croc Team having earned three of the four pole positions in Liuzhou. The 36 year-old driver won the only race he completed in the first event of 2009. If Sami can finish, he will be a factor in a must win weekend if he has any hopes of going back to back for world titles.

Jonas Andersson of Team Sweden who will be introducing a new teammate at this event, has also won in Liuzhou in 2009. The Fruvi, Sweden is a “streaky” driver going hot and cold and if he hits his stride this weekend he will be a tough driver to beat. He'll first have to improve in his qualifying where he has started seventh twice, second once and 12th last year eventually taking seventh place.

Team Abu Dhabi's two drivers Thani Al Qamzi and Ahmed Al Hameli both have shots at the title with Ahmed coming off a strong performance winning from pole position at the last round in Kiev for his first points of the season. His friend and teammate Thani is third in the championship with 35 points but hasn't won in 26 races. Like Selio, both are looking at “must win” weekend's.

The CTIC China Team with Frenchman Philippe Chiappe and fellow driver Pierre Lundin of Sweden have had success in Liuzhou before with Lundin taking a podium third place while Chiappe a fourth in the first of two Grand Prix's in 2009 on the Liu River. Chiappe is fourth in the championship race with 23 points just ahead of Selio and Italian Francesco Cantando of the Singha Team who both have 21 points.

So, as the race teams begin their long journey to the Peoples Republic of China this week, all the talk will be on the “Qatar Team Express” and if anyone can slow their progress down. No one has been able to do it consistently thus far this season and with points leader Jay Price having finished on the podium in 21 of his last 25 finishes, it will be a tough task, but, lets leave all the talk in the paddock and make history. That's why we go racing!

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