LIUZHOU, China – Saturday, October 16, 2010 – Team Abu Dhabi had both of its drivers star in qualifying with Ahmed Al Hameli capturing his first pole position of the year and fifth of his career with a 46.29 second lap for 176.54 kilometers per hour around the six-turn two kilometer course in front of tens of thousands of fans along the Liu River.
Teammate Thani Al Qamzi fifth in the championship with 24 points was third with a 47.08 second lap for tomorrows 15th Grand Prix of China the fourth round of the 2010 UIM F1 H2O World Championship for powerboating putting both drivers from Abu Dhabi in a great position to win for only the second time in 18 races for the team.
“The team did everything right for me today and gave me a perfect boat.” said Ahmed. “We got out early in the final Q3 session under clear water and took advantage of the situation and for the first time this season I'm starting number one.”
Starting next to Ahmed and in the runner-up position in qualifying for the second straight race is Qatar Team driver Jay Price who is third in the championship with 28 points looking for his first victory of the season and his second of his career in Liuzhou.
“I had the pole, lost it and was chasing it again, but in the very last minute my steering broke and I almost barrel rolled as I somehow saved it and survived for the race tomorrow,” said the New Orleans driver. “We will have a great fight and both Ahmed and Thani should make my Sunday very memorable.”
Series points leader Sami Selio had a frustrating day with his Mad Croc Baba boat after his teammate Alex Carella a co-leader in the championship got caught up in a crash in Q2 with fellow Italian Luigi Roberto of the 800 Doctor Team stopping the session with both drivers damaging their boats.
Selio who holds down 35 points in the championship will start in the fourth position tomorrow in a race that he has both won and led in the last three season's doing a 47.27 second lap.
Fifth is Fabio Comparato in the 800 Doctor Baba boat with a 47.67 second lap. Italian Francesco Cantando fourth in the championship with 27 points will line up sixth with a 48.28 second lap. Seventh is another Italian Marco Gambi joining teammate Cantando in the Singha Team boat with a 48.95 time.
Pierre Lundin of Sweden who had been fighting a cold all week was happy with his eighth place qualifying effort in his CTIC China Team boat in front of the home crowd after doing a 49.34 second lap. Luigi Roberto and Alex Carella were classified ninth and tenth after their accident with both drivers questionable for tomorrows Grand Prix.
Twenty drivers from 13 different countries are hoping to line-up for tomorrow's 15th Annual Grand Prix of China on the Liu River starting at 08:00 GMT and 16:00 local time. The event will be broadcast both worldwide on the international television feed and can also be watched by going to the official UIM F1 H2O website at www.f1h2o.com .
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