Abu Dhabi(U.A.E), Friday, 07 November 2003 - The penultimate event of the 2003 U.I.M (Union Internationale Motonautique) F1 Powerboat World Championship is scheduled for Friday December 5, in Sharjah, one of the United Arab Emirates. The Sharjah circuit is huge, encompassing the Khalid Lagoon providing many glorious vantage points to enjoy the thrilling action.
In 2002, after the race was restarted, Cappellini leapt into the lead, but was disqualified for dangerous driving allowing Massimo Roggiero to claim his second victory in three races. Roggiero survived fraught battles: first with Philippe Dessertenne, and then with Laith Pharaon as the pair raced nose-to-nose.
Now, in their 4th year of hosting an F1 World Championship Grand Prix, Sharjah organisers have left no stone unturned in ensuring this year's meeting will once again be acclaimed as the best. Last year Sharjah tied with Malaysia for the 'best organised Grand Prix' trophy. It was awarded to Dato Yahya A. Jalil, Managing Director "H20 Sports", and Mohamed Al Noman, Director of Sharjah "Commerce and Tourism Development Authority" at the U.I.M gala prize-giving evening in Switzerland. This award recognised the superb organisation of both Grand Prix.
This year, however, Sharjah organisers want perfection.
Mohamed Al Noman, Director of Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority: "This year we have carefully studied the organization of many of the other F1 Powerboat Grand Prix and traveled to some of those to assess the improvements we could bring to Sharjah. I have seen many races this year and was able to get a feeling of what we could develop for the Sharjah race to achieve an even higher standard. I have made suggestions to our organization committee in order to upgrade the service we offer to the Grand Prix organizers, teams, drivers, and media.
" On hosting an F1 Powerboat Grand Prix for the fourth time, I believe that Sharjah will begin to reap rewards from our past success in promoting tourism.
" The city has the most colorful history of all the Emirates and over a period of time many new attractions have been added to increase its appeal to tourists. I believe that F1 Powerboat racing is part of this development. Through the impressive television network coverage and international reports of the event, Sharjah's name has grown and is now known throughout the globe - this is what we aim for."
Nicolo di SAN GERMANO Promoter U.I.M F1 Powerboat World: "A fourth event in Sharjah approaches. I often wonder how the rich heritage of the city and the organizers will continue to surprise F1 Powerboat and what they can still improve for an even better spectacle.
" This year U.I.M FI Powerboat is bringing Sharjah spectators a fierce and fascinating battle between our champions Scott Gillman (USA), Emirates team's number one pilot, and reigning 7-times World Champion Guido Cappellini (ITA). At the last race in Singapore Gillman overtook pole-sitter Cappellini and won the Grand Prix in front of an estimated crowd of 70,000.
" Unfortunately Laith Pharaon Saudi Arabia - (Green Team) will not participate to his "home" race because Pharaon was issued after the Singapore Grand Prix, his third yellow card of the season by the U.I.M Commissioners, which means he has lost the right to participate to the following Grand Prix.
" I am very much looking forward to the Sharjah Powerboat World Championship leg on Friday December 5.
" 7-times World Champion Guido Cappellini (Zepter Team) continues to lead the Drivers' classification with 85 points ahead of Scott Gillman (Emirates F1) on 67 points and Francesco Cantando (Singha F1) on 60 points. In the teams' classification Emirates leads with 101 points narrowly ahead of Zepter on 99 points."
