For those of you who were interested in U.I.M. Class 1


SUPERFUND CLASS 1 WORLD POWERBOAT CHAMPIONSHIP
GERVAS PROPERTY BRITISH GRAND PRIX

VICTORY 7 TAKES CENTRE STAGE TO WIN IN PLYMOUTH
*Gjelsten and Curtis second but extend championship lead by 16-points*

(Plymouth, Devon, Sunday 26 July) Rough seas and strong winds added to the
drama and excitement at a spectacular Class 1 British Powerboat Grand Prix
in Plymouth with Ali Al Qama and Ahmed Al Tayer in Victory 7 storming to a
comfortable win after taking the lead on lap 3 of the 17-lap, 91Nm course.

A win for the Dubai based team dashed the hopes of the tens of thousands of
spectators who lined Plymouth Hoe and the surrounding cliff tops eager for a
British win. It also ended the season long unbeaten run of Bjorn Gjelsten
and Steve Curtis who finished second in Spirit of Norway with Australian
entry Maritimo Offshore in third.

It was a fantastic performance by the Dubai duo who completed 17 of the
nineteen scheduled laps in 1hr. 2mins. 42secs at an average speed of
101.09mph/162.69kmh. "It was how we expected it. After testing in the
morning we decided to run short props and that was the right decision. We
ran well in both the rough and the calmer water inside the breakwater but it
was in the rough that we had the advantage over Spirit of Norway." said Ali
Al Qama.

With winds gusting up to 20mph and two meter waves outside the breakwater Al
Qama and Al Tayer produced a near faultless display, and although they never
looked like being overhauled once they hit the front, they survived several
perilous moments as they fought to control the five tonne Victory 7 as she
flew and twisted through the air.

Despite having to settle for second place, Gjelsten and Curtis the defending
Class 1 World Champions extended their overall lead in the Superfund Class 1
World Powerboat Championship to 16-points. "We were beaten by the better
team today. Victory did a fantastic job," said Curtis. "We knew they would
be tough to beat as their boat is longer and heavier and the rough
conditions outside the breakwater really suited them." said Curtis.

Third place went to Bill Barry-Cotter and Peter McGrath in Maritimo Offshore
who staved off a race long challenge from Saeed Al Tayer and Mohammed Al
Marri in Victory 77, who was forced to ease off when their cockpit-hatch
opened, eventually finishing fourth. "It was a good day and we only had a
few hassles. We had a bit of trouble on the inward leg with the following
sea and knew that Victoy was closing in on us. But the boat performed
really well and this time we only had a little bit of water in the cockpit."
said Bill Barry-Cotter.

Edoardo Polli and Lamberto Leoni in Highlander provided an interesting
moment at the beginning of the race by jumping the start, eventually coming
home in fifth with Qatar's, Sheikh Hassan Al-Thani on his Class 1 debut
alongside Matteo Nicolin in Damas finishing in the points in sixth place.

But it was a disappointing outcome for Nicola Giorgi and Aurelio Borghi in
Roscioli Hotels who were unfortunate to have to retire after battling the
tricky conditions for ten laps as well as Jotun, who suffered an electrical
problem which forced them out on lap-6. Giampaolo Montavoci and Mauro
Esperti faired no better retiring on lap-3.

The next stop for the teams is the Scandinavian Grand Prix in Oslo, round 4
of the Superfund Class 1 World Powerboat Championship.

we need pics!!!!

check out my website www.worldoffshore.de under "Galerien" you will find a lot of pics from 2000 up to now. Enjoy them

For those who don't do German, here is the direct link:

http://www.worldoffshore.de/html/galerie_2003.html

very nice site!!

O.K. her is one

and another one. The red boat with the Jotun decal on it's side is a MTI Cat with Weismann Shaft Drives.

Thanks Andree, cool site