SHARJAH, United Arab Emirates - Tuesday, December 13, 2011 - The story one year ago was quite different than this weekend for Qatar Team driver Jay Price as the 2008 World Champion was leading by four points heading into the final round of the UIM F1 H2O World Championship.
His rival, Finland's Sami Selio the 2007 world title holder, was trailing Jay by an 83 to 79 point margin and needing team strategy and a break to defeat Price who just needed to qualify well enough to stay in front of the Mad Croc Team driver to deliver a second championship.
"I really thought despite Sami's win in Abu Dhabi the week before that we could take a position where he would have to chase me down and not the reverse in order to earn another title," said Jay. "Then late in qualifying I failed to get a clean lap that I needed and all of a sudden I found myself with one of my worst efforts of the season with backmarkers playing a part and the next thing I knew Sami's teammate had pole and he was third while I came home fifth. I knew right then and there I was in trouble."
Sami's teammate last year was Alex Carella of Italy, the same driver who is now Jay's teammate and leading him into the final round this year with a five point margin with a 84 to 79 point count.
"Alex did exactly what he needed as a good team member, giving his position to Sami, moving him to second and placing a boat between Sami and me as I worked my way forward," remembered Jay. "This year, Alex is on my side and with just the two of us left to fight for the World Championship, it's all or nothing. It's going to be great and I can't wait."
In last years event, Jay plowed forward and pushed strongly for chance at Selio almost taking his boat over the edge more than once in spectacular fashion before he eventually hit a buoy, was docked a lap and would come home sixth and second place in the championship behind Sami.
"I thought I lost the championship more than anyone in particular actually winning it," said Jay. "Now once again if I want to recapture the top spot I've held all this year in the standing until last Friday when Alex won and passed me in the drivers points, I need to come up with a giant effort to get 'er done."
The Louisiana "Ragin Cagin" is going to do his best to make his birthday week one to remember by winning a title and lessening the bad memories he had of 2010 in Sharjah once and for all.
The weekend kicks off with practice at 9:15 local (5:15 GMT) followed by official F1 Qualifications at 15:50 local in the battle for pole position and the starting order off the start for the Grand Prix. The 13th Grand Prix of Sharjah begins on Friday, December 16th at 16:00 local (12:00 GMT) 6:00 EST in North America with both qualifying and the race available live through the world television broadcast with live streaming on the official website www.f1h2o.com.
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