Latvian Slakteris And Al Khulaifi Of Qatar Fighting For Trophy!

SHARHAH, United Arab Emirates - (10th of December, 2008) -- It all comes down to the final laps of the season but two drivers know they are chasing one of the most prestigious awards of the season with the claiming of Rookie-of-the-Year honors at the end of the day at the Ninth Annual Grand Prix of Sharjah the final round of the 2008 U.I.M. F1 World Championship for power boat racing in the United Arab Emirates this Friday.

The leader of the pack would be Latvian driver Uvis Slakteris with the F1 Team Sweden group who is currently 10th in the championship with 17 points on the strength of four top-10 finishes including a pair of sixth place performances at the Grand Prix's in Qatar and Finland early in the season. Two other points paying efforts in Liuzhou and Shenzhen, China have moved him nine points ahead of Qatar Team star Youssef Al Khulaifi who's had a sixth in Liuzhou and an eighth in Lahti, Finland.

Slakteris is hoping to make his return to the sport next year after many season's in F2 and F2000 racing while Al Khulaifi is looking to rejoin his teammate World Champion Jay Price for another season in the 2009 campaign.

In the last few races two drivers have returned to the series in German pilot Fabian Kalsow driving for the 800 Doctor Team who will be starting his second race in the last year and one-half and his 11th of his career for the 27 year old, while Italian newcomer Daniele Martignoni arrives from F2 starting his 2nd event in 2008 and already signed up next season in his run for the 2009 trophy.

Twenty-two drivers from 12 different countries are ready to take on the challenging circuit on the Khalid Lagoon just outside the Arabian Gulf for the eighth and final round of the 2008 U.I.M. F1 World Championship for power boating at the 9th Annual Grand Prix of Sharjah starting at 15:45 local time on the 12th of December. The race can be watched in total thru live webstreaming by going to the official website at www.f1boat.com.