Mumbai, India, March 5, 2004. Teams, officials and drivers of the UIM Formula One Powerboat Championships eagerly await the start of the inaugural Grand Prix of India today here in Mumbai, heralding the beginning of a brand new UIM F1 Powerboat Season 2004.
At a driver's briefing this evening, race organiser Nicolo di San Germano commented,
"We are extremely grateful to the Government of Maharastra for their support and their foresight in associating this high tech sport of Powerboating with a fast developing and technologically sophisticated country. We are excited that India will now host live coverage of all the UIM F1 Powerboat Championship races throughout the year bringing our sport to millions more spectators."
Conditions for this weekend are predicted to be good; however race organisers have brought forward the start of the race on Sunday to 12 noon in order to avoid high tides and big waves which could cause safety issues which are of paramount importance to the organisers.
"We take exceptional measures with regards to safety throughout the Championships and strive to improve conditions for both the drivers and teams. We have closely monitored the weather conditions and tidal flows this week and made the decision to bring the race forward to hopefully ensure the water is flat," said Nicolo di San Germano.
The year sees three new drivers join the 2004 F1 Powerboat Championships; French, Cedric Deguisne age 30 from Team Comparato, Australian, David Trask age 32 from Team Seaquest and Italian, Marcello Menegatto from Team Tamoil who at just age 25 is racing for Monaco - a new country to join the Championships.
David Trask was previously the youngest ever F1 driver in Australia and came 3rd in his first race age 17 at the South Bank, Brisbane. Having been granted his Super License from the Australian governing body, David now joins the World F1 Powerboat Championships with excitement and enthusiasm.
"I'm really looking forward to the season, if I can be consistent throughout I will be very happy. My plan is to take it easy for the first few races until I work out the different driver's styles. At home I am considered to be quite an aggressive driver so I'm looking forward to developing that further," said David.
The course in Mumbai has been changed slightly due to water conditions; the main straight being 580 metres and the overall length at 1500m - a narrower and squarer course with all 5 turns being left handers. Drivers will race for 45 minutes at speeds consistently exceeding 180km per hour.
Free practice starts on Saturday at 9-10am with the first time trial at 11:30-12:15, 2nd time trial from 13:30-14:15. The shootout will take place at 15:00 hours between the six fastest drivers.
"India is a country rich in history and we're looking forward to bringing them a brand new sport for the future," enthused veteran racing driver, Fabrizio Bocca from Rainbow Corona Team.
Live TV Coverage of the race on Sunday can be seen in Asia on ESPN Star Sports, AB Motors in France and the Sailing Channel across Europe.
