Seoul, South Korea, October 29, 2004….. Promoters were pleased to announce a new format for the inaugural Formula One Powerboat Grand Prix of South Korea as part of a move to bring the exciting world of Powerboat racing to venues that can only accommodate a limited number of boats at one time.
The F1 Powerboat Grand Prix of South Korea will be held at the Misari" Motorboat Racing Stadium in Hanam City, Kyongki province, a prestigious venue renowned for its water sports facilities. The area is smaller than the usual circuits chosen for the Formula One Powerboat races so organisers decided to premiere the ‘Match Race’ Format for this F1 Powerboat Grand Prix.
“The Match Race certainly creates a really exciting and spectacular show for the audience as they can easily follow the racing and watch the fastest drivers set the best times. We are already looking at some potential venues for the 2005 Championship such as Monte Carlo, United Kingdom and the United States to host these types of races as part of the overall UIM Championship. We fully intend to host two formats during the race season next year as part of our continued efforts to build awareness of our exciting sport among a new and different type of audience,” commented F1 Powerboat Promoter Nicolo di San Germano.
The F1 Powerboat Grand Prix course will comprise two 800m straights with a total length of 1600m. Two drivers will race against each other at one time over two laps. The first driver will start with the longer circuit while the other driver races the shorter circuit around the first buoy, just 150m from the start. On the second lap drivers switch to the other course while both pushing the limit to clock the best times. The faster of the two drivers from qualifying will select which course he prefers to race first.
During qualifying each driver gets a total of 15 laps to secure the best times and drivers will be split into two groups since the water area is too small to accommodate all 21 boats at one time. Eleven drivers will race in Group A and ten in Group B. Following the two timed trials the six boat shoot out will take place at 16:00.
As this is the first Match Race for many of the drivers there was a mixture of excitement and anxiety.
Said Fabrizio Bocca from Rainbow Corona Team, “This will undoubtedly provide a real spectacle for the audience – it’s a type of beginners guide to Powerboat Racing for the lay person and we’re really hopeful they will enjoy the sport. For the drivers the challenge is which propeller to choose as there are some very long stretches as well as short ones. All in all, exciting and challenging at the same time.”
“I expect the teams with the short boats will be at an advantage on this course,” said drivers Andy Elliot and Leysen Julius. “With the huge stretches and flatter conditions, you need a boat that is light, good in acceleration and can turn quickly. Those with the heavier long boats we suspect will be at a slight disadvantage. But who knows it could be anyone’s race which makes it all the more interesting.”
Scott Gillman, current world championship point’s leader, has a heavier boat better set up for rougher wave conditions and many laps. The other teams will be watching with interest how both he and Francesco Cantando tackle this course – both of whom are desperate to secure as many points as possible at this late stage in the season.
Free practise starts tomorrow at 10:30am. The F1 Powerboat Grand Prix of South Korea commences on October 31, 2004 at 14:00.
