SHARJAH, U.A.E. - Wednesday December 17 - As the world focuses in on the impending monumental three way struggle for the 2014 UIM F1 H2O World Championship trophy, other drivers, who have had major success in Sharjah but are not in the championship hunt, have their own ideas of "spoiling the party" on Friday afternoon.
To set the stage, French pilot Philippe Chiappe of the CTIC China Team heads the series with 50 points coming into the 15th anniversary year of the Grand Prix of Sharjah at the years final event, just outside Dubai.
Leading the duo of drivers from the Qatar Team who are trying to chase Philippe down are, defending three-time World Champion Alex Carella of Italy showing 47 points, while his teammate Shaun Torrente from Florida in the USA sits with 44 all in with a shout for the title on this the tours 31st year of racing.
Meanwhile, drivers such as two-time World Champion Sami Selio with the Mad Croc Baba Team just missing the points cut on the outside looking in, has a bit of revenge on his mind. The driver from Helsinki blew away a shot at his third title a year ago leading in points coming in the event, only to make a mistake in qualifying with an accident and all but ending his dreams of a hat-trick of championships at the same time.
The 2007 and 2009 winner in Sharjah also has more pole positions than anyone in the races history with four and is looking for more on Thursday afternoon: "I really like this place and I feel we have solved a few shortcomings we've had this year thus far and are ready to fight for pole on Thursday and then the outright victory on Friday."
"Just because we don't have a chance for the outright title doesn't mean I won't be trying hard for my third win here and make a statement heading in 2015."
At the same time, this season hasn't been the best for the duo of Team Abu Team drivers in Thani Al Qamzi and Ahmed Al Hameli who have managed to run in only two of the season's previous races and are once again looking for more glory here on the Khaled Lagoon.
Between Thani and Ahmed, they have won the race here five of the last eight years, with Thani having more success than any driver in the history of the race with wins in 2006, 2008 and 2012.
"This is a race that I relish," said the 35 year-old from Abu Dhabi. "This is a magic place for me, I just seem to really slide in well with great results here almost every year."
"Believe me, I would like to not only make a statement here but mix up the championship for my three friends who are in a huge battle this weekend as well. It should be fun."
His friend and teammate Ahmed, continues to find his way following a life changing struggle with a brain tumor he had removed in America two years ago. The 2010 and 2011 winner is coming off a great performance on his home circuit a month ago in Abu Dhabi with a podium third place finish and now hungry for an even performance here.
"Yes, Abu Dhabi was a great result for the team and now I think I have the confidence in place to push for the win here on Friday," state Al Hameli.
"You know, Sharjah is like my second home and like Thani, I feel really great when I arrive here. I want to make the fans feel that this place and our country is very special and another victory will only help with my feelings toward this venue even more-so."
For Alex Carella, the defending race champion and looking for his fourth straight title, he realizes that his colleagues for the title are only part of the picture; "Yes, I realize this is going to be a strong fight right to the final lap on Friday afternoon," said the Italian pilot.
"We have drawn up certain scenarios and "what ifs" in case other drivers play a major role in the race win so we have to know the big picture before the race."
"This event will truly be a long hard crusade for another title believe me."
Italian Francesco Cantando could also make some noise having won this event in it's very first year back in 2000 and has been running strongly as of late.
Others, such as rookie Erik Stark of Sweden who has a second place finish in only six race starts in F1 along with fellow Swede Jonas Andersson who has raced here nine previous times and has two podium finishes on this 2.2 kilometer (1.49 mile) circuit within the city of Sharjah could also play a major part in this drama.
It all starts on Thursday afternoon 15:30 local time (11:30 GMT) with the battle for pole position and the starting grid positions off the dock for Friday's final event of 2014.
All three qualifying sessions can be followed live by going to the tours official website at www.f1h2o.com with scoring and video also viewed "live" via the tours worldwide television feed.
Many stories along with much drama as this dramatic followup to the 2014 championship all plays out on the Khaled Lagoon and the 15th Anniversary year of the Grand Prix of Sharjah on the world's most difficult stage on water the UIM F1 H2O World Championship for powerboating.
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