Cagliari, Sardinia, May 28, 2004…. Twelve locally based organisations rallied in support of the Associazione Italiana Per La Ricerca Sul Cancro (Italian Association of Cancer Research, AIRC), at the start of the Mediterranean Grand Prix in Cagliari, Sardinia.

Each organisation donated 1,500 Euros and adopted a team from the UIM F1 Powerboat Championships to carry their flag during the parade lap prior to the Grand Prix on Sunday.   “We are pleased to be lending our support to such an important charity – I believe it’s the first time a whole sport has taken this step to be completely involved,” enthused F1 Powerboat Promoter, Nicolo di San Germano.  “We are urging people to make their own donations and have therefore set up a free ‘green’ line for public to pledge their support,” he added.

For anyone wishing to make a pledge to the AIRC please call the N. Verde AIRC 800 350 350 (free green line).

Italian hero and 8 times World Champion, Guido Cappellini immediately led the donations on behalf of the Tamoil team, closely followed by a number of the other drivers and teams.

Gracing the presentation with an appearance and support for the charity was the gorgeous celebrity hostess from Italian Channel Five TV, Elena Barolo.

Teams are gearing up for qualifying tomorrow on this particularly challenging course. A tight 8 pin circuit with 2 right handers will pose the toughest course yet.  Based out on the open sea, on the edge of the stunning Cagliari harbour, each lap presents, in effect, an entirely race with its ever changing water conditions.

“Many people underestimate the difficulty of this sport,” commented Guido Cappellini.  “Unlike other motorsports which drive a similar lap through to the end of the race we are faced with a different situation every single lap – its take all our strength and skill to read the waves, engine performance and plot a course ahead.”

Fellow Italian, Francesco Cantando from the Singha team was in fine form today, if not a little nervous, “I really want to win this race – I’m putting a lot of pressure on myself to do well as it’s my home country - it would make me very proud to be stand on the podium here and of course keep the lead in the world championship!”

Scott Gillman was keeping a low profile during today’s scrutineering – enjoying a win at the Grand Prix of Portugal he is quietly confident.  “Cagliari has been a turning point for me in the past – I’m hoping my luck here will continue this weekend,” Scott commented.

Qualifying starts tomorrow at 13:00 hours local time here in Cagliari, Sardinia tomorrow.  Amidst a stunning mountainous backdrop a haunting echo awaits the roar of the engines for the first round of testing at 11am.

For those wishing to make payments to the AIRC details as follows:

AIRC Comitats Sardegna presso Banco di Sardegna, Via Bomana, Cagliari, cc.numero 25869/7 ABI 01015, CAB 04800