2003 UIM F1 POWERBOAT CHAMPIONSHIP RETURNS TO SINGAPORE

Singapore, Saturday, June 28, 2003 -  Republic Singapore Yacht Club Commodore Dr. I.C. Khoo and Justin Lee, President, Singapore Powerboat Association, have announced that the seventh leg of the 2003 UIM F1 Powerboat Championship will take place October 26, 2003 in Singapore.  Twelve teams of two boats each will take part in the seventh leg of the 2003 Championship.

The announcement came at a press conference hosted in Singapore  today by Giancarlo Tschuor, UIM F1 Vice President Marketing, as a result of the homologation of the Singapore  circuit by Mrs Lavinia Cavallero, UIM F1 Vice President, Logistics; José Jesuita, UIM Commissioner and Dato Yahya Jalil, UIM Administrator.

The Singapore leg of the Powerboat Championship will receive sponsorship from the Singapore Sports Council, the Singapore Tourism Board and major businesses in Singapore. The support of these sponsors has helped bring this major international sporting event to Singapore.

Singapore Press Holdings will use the event to provide support to the Pocket Money Fund Charity. Up to Singapore $ 3.00 of the price of each ticket sold will go to the Pocket Money Fund.

The race will be shown live on MediaWorks, Channel i.  An estimated 750-million people around the world will be able to watch the race on satellite television.

Nicolo di San Germano, Promoter UIM F1 Powerboat series:  "Now that the circuit has received UIM homologation, I am very pleased to confirm Marina Bay as the venue for the seventh leg of this year's UIM Formula One Powerboat World Championship. The race on Sunday, October 26 will be preceded by a week-long water festival around Marina Bay and the Singapore River from Boat Quay, Clark Quay to Zouk.

"The decision to hold a race in Singapore was taken in March. Since the last time that a Championship Powerboat event took place in Singapore twelve years ago, the venue has been considerably rebuilt and renovated. The races have become more exciting and the boats much faster. Today, boats equipped with engines up to three-litres can reach speeds of over 220kmh.

"Singapore is a dream location. Spectators will be able to watch the race on specially built stands at Marina Bay. The return of UIM F1 Powerboat Championship racing to Singapore reflects the strong development of our sport in the Middle East and South East Asia. Almost 50 per cent of the events on the 2003 Championship calendar are scheduled to take place in this part of the world.

"I always have believed that Singapore's Marina Bay is a great venue for our sport. And I also wanted to stick to our decision, announced in march to bring not only the race, but also the General Assembly of the UIM, governing body of the sport, back here to Singapore."

For additional information, interviews or video footage please contact:

Steve Michael Reporting - Philippe Stiernon F1 Press Officer

Photos: http://www.f1boatphotos.com