ABU DHABI - November 19, 2014 - It's hard to believe, but Team Abu Dhabi has gone almost a decade on it's home race circuit around the lovely corniche near downtown city center since it last won a Grand Prix event on the UIM F1 H2O World Championship tour.
The thousands of avid race followers that come year after year to cheer on their very special and exciting race organization haven't cheered on a victory for their home team since current Team Manager Scott Gillman won on the circuit for his second and final time in 2005.
The four-time World Champion from California also enjoyed four pole positions as fastest qualifier and now hopes to "break the spell" of his veteran pair of drivers Thani Al Qamzi and Ahmed Al Hameli, who have a combined 13 victories in 167 starts but never on "home waters".
"It's both funny and perplexing at the same time," said the American. "Sometimes I feel my guys are "haunted" here. They both are very talented drivers and have won many time in Sharjah which is just up the road in the Emirates, but the closest we've come is Al Qamzi's second in 2012 and Ahmed's pair of runner-up performances in 2008 and 2011."
"Both drivers are really relaxed and ready to have fun and when they are in this disposition they race at the best. We'll have to see if it plays out this way."
Friday's Grand Prix, which marks the penultimate race of the 2014 campaign, see's a bushelful of drivers still with an honest shot at the title. Leading the way is the Qatar Team.
Italian three-time World Champion Alex Carella sits with 40 points, while his teammate Shaun Torrente of Florida, who is coming off last weekends victory in Doha, Qatar, is now just 11 points back and a major player in the championship.
French pilot Philippe Chiappe of the CTIC China, who has a pair of second place finishes this season and whom was runner-up here a year ago, is second with 30 points.
Meanwhile, three time winner in Abu Dhabi, Sami Selio of the Mad Croc Baba Team is also coming off a podium finish and still has time to push for a third title before seasons end on the 19th of December in Sharjah.
"It's both a funny and frustrating situation here at home," said Thani. "I bet in 14 full seasons of racing F1 I've raced in over 20 countries and am making my 110th start, but am still looking for the top step here along the corniche."
For his teammate Al Hameli, "It would be a great gift for the club to win this one at home this weekend, especially after what happened a year ago when we both got knocked out at the beginning of the event," said Ahmed.
"I will do anything to make this year a memorable one for the crew and the ADISC club. I want a big celebration when Friday ends for sure."
The 21st season of racing here which has presented 23 different events since it's beginnings back in 1993, features Italian multi-time World Champion Guido Cappellini with the most wins here with five. He is followed by Sami Selio's three while seven others have won a pair each.
The fourth of five UIM F1 H2O World Championship Grand Prix events will take place beginning with official qualifying tomorrow on the 18th of November beginning at 15:30 local (11:30 GMT) and 6:30 EST on the East Coast of North America with the same times for the following day on the 19th for the Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi.
Both qualifying and racing can be followed "live" by going the UIM F1 H2O World Championship tours official website at www.f1h2o.com for live timing and the race broadcast courtesy of the worldwide television feed.
Stay tuned, the almost decade old "voodoo" maybe broken along the corniche this year. Anything is possible when we are in Abu Dhabi.
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