Abu Dhabi (U.A.E), Tuesday, 07 October 2003 - The sixth event of the 2003 U.I.M (Union Internationale Motonautique) F1 Powerboat Championship - the Singapore Grand Prix - is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, October 25th and 26th.
At the same time, Singapore plays host to the important General Assembly of the Union Internationale Motonautique - the sports governing body - with key decision-makers involved in world watersports events attending from 60 different nations - a major event on the international circuit.
A field of 25 drivers representing 15 different nationalities, will contest the Grand Prix. A total of 11 teams have registered for the 2003 World Championship Singapore race. Crowd favourites include: Guido Capellini (Italy) - leader of the championship with 70 points; Francesco Cantando (Italy) - second in the championship with 55 points; and of course, Scott Gillman (USA), winner of the last Grand Prix in Malaysia now lying third in the championship with 47 points.
Joining these stars will be F1 Powerboat's legendary World Champion Jonathan Jones who returns to the scene of his fantastic comeback from injury in 1991. Still suffering from injuries he sustained in a horrific crash earlier that season, Jones took to the controls - his left leg still in a special cast. Jones claimed enough points in that race, and added a victory in Malaysia to claim that year's championship. This year Jones will compete in the race and at the same time commentate on proceedings from the cockpit.
"The F1 Powerboat Championship returns to Singapore for the first time since November 29, 1992, and only for the second time in twelve years," says Nicolo di San Germano, Promoter U.I.M. F1 Powerboat Racing Championship. "It took quite some time to organise the sixth race of the Championship with (Republic of Singapore Yacht Club Commodore) Dr. I.C. Khoo and Justin Lee (President of the Singapore Powerboat Association). I am pleased to see that the Singapore leg of the F1 Powerboat Championship has also received sponsorship from the Singapore Sports Council, the Singapore Tourism Board, Maurice Lacroix, Aviva and other major businesses in Singapore.
Since September 1, 2003, Maurice Lacroix Swiss timepieces have become the official timekeepers for the 2003 U.I.M F1 Powerboat races in Malaysia and Singapore. The sponsorship agreement will be extended to all F1 Powerboat races in Asia for the 2004 season.
I can also announce today that international businesses such as the Italian health supplement BIOSPIRULINA have chosen the Singapore meeting to sign a commercial agreement in order to become an official sponsor of the Championship in 2003 and 2004. This agreement will start with the Singapore Grand Prix. This new relationship is one that gives the organisation particular satisfaction, as this sponsorship is consistent with the values that the U.I.M FI Powerboat Championship represents.
The Singapore leg constitutes quite a challenge for our organisation. Everything must be organised and put in place in time for the Grand Prix. I hope that the second event in Singapore and sixth round of the 2003 Championship calendar will interest spectators of all ages. The organisers have done an excellent job, and there is something on offer for everybody.
Singapore is a dream location. Spectators will be able to watch the race on specially constructed stands at Marina Bay. The return of UIM F1 Powerboat racing to Singapore reflects the strong development of our sport in the Middle East and South East Asia with almost half the events on the 2003 calendar scheduled to take place in this part of the world."
Two-time F1 Powerboat World Champion Scott Gillman (USA) won the last round of the Formula 1 Powerboat championship - the Malaysian Grand Prix - at the Mines City Resort City in Seri Kembangan just outside Kuala Lumpur.
"The last race in Malaysia gave some really good racing, " says Gillman. "The competition was tough again. My boat was fantastic during the race and we generally had good speed. It was only in the last 15 laps that I started thinking about the end of the race. For a moment, I thought that my engine sounded unusual... There was quite a gap between Guido Cappellini - who was running his latest boat design for the first time - and myself, which allowed me to back off a little bit. I did not want to take any risks and fail to complete the race but I didn't want to waste my chance in front of the Malaysian crowd. This win puts me back into contention for the Championship. I'm happy for my sponsors and team because that was my first win since July 2000 and my 12th overall. It was a real challenge and I am actually quite proud to have been able to achieve a victory for the team and myself. I was sorry to see Francesco Cantando, who went into the Grand Prix as joint championship leader, drop out of the race. Last year's winner Massimo Roggiero also retired which helped me to win. The event in Singapore should be very exciting. I have been told that there will be plenty of activities for the public to enjoy with their friends and families."
The F1 Powerboat World Championship 2003 calendar consists of following events: Portugal, Finland, Italy, Germany, Malaysia, Singapore, Saudi Arabia and U.A.E. -- Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.
