POWERBOAT P1 AWARDS MANUFACTURERS’ TROPHIES AT THE MIAMI INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW
Accolades abounded at the Miami International Boat Show where Powerboat P1 traveled to present the 2008 World Championship Manufacturers’ Awards to Fountain Powerboats and Ilmor High Performance Marine. Robert Wicks, Commercial Director for P1 recounted the two-year quest that the Fountain Worldwide 1st4boats.com team fought to win back-to-back World Champion titles in the Evolution Class. The team of Fountain Worldwide President, Craig Wilson and James Sheppard competed against an international field and held fast to earn the top rank in Portimao, Portugal in the Ilmor-powered 42’ Fountain Lighting. It was the first time in the history of the Powerboat P1 World Championship for a repeat World Champ in the Evolution Class.
Ilmor’s President Paul Ray accepted the award stating, “Winning on the race track sells—we’ll be in this for a long time!” citing his company’s long-term success in motorsport racing, which was now extended to powerboat racing. Reggie Fountain, Fountain Powerboat’s iconic President and CEO, thanked Imor for providing the power to win, which for Fountain, has marked his life-long achievement in the industry. He also thanked the Fountain Worldwide and Twin Disk team lead by Mark Wilson, Craig’s father and former racer, who managed the team. The Wilsons represent the third generation of British powerboat racers who have made the sport both a vocation and avocation.
“I’d like to thank P1 for creating a fantastic event at each and every race,” said Craig Wilson, “And to Fountain Powerboats, who have proved that they build the fastest V-bottom in the world.”
The trophies were created to honor the top hull and engine manufacturers in the Evolution Class, Powerboat P1’s canopied, prototype Class, which is joined by the “factory production” SuperSport Class. Both classes will compete in 2009 in a 5-race series including Malta, Turkey, Sweden, Italy and Bahrain.
