Julius Leysen To Compete with DanIta Racing Team in the 2003 F1 Powerboat World Championship

Abu Dhabi, Friday, June 6, 2003 -Julius LEYSEN, "Mr.Ghostbuster", (Belgium) has joined the Italian DanIta Racing Team to drive with the Number 12.  His team-mate will be Gert LADEFOGED (Denmark) with Number 11. Leysen's first race with Team DanIta will be the DOCUMENTUS Finnish Grand Prix on June 14-15 in Helsinki.

Leysen was born June 1, 1956 in Herentals near Antwerp (Belgium). He made his public debut in 1988. From then until 2002, he participated in the Pilot F3 Waterski racing Championship.

In 2001, Leysen took an excellent fourth place in the 24hrs de Rouen (S3000). Last year, in 2002 he finished 4th again in the 24hrs de Rouen - France, Class 3 (S3000). He also owns a boat Team that competes in Class 3 (S3000) and that nicknamed him "Mr. Ghostbuster".

"I'm really excited about joining the DanIta F1 Powerboat Team as a full time driver," Leysen said.  "I have known Gert Ladefoged for quite a while and raced this year with him again in Rouen. We had very good results with the GHOST DAC 1, a 300 HP boat equipped with a MERCURY S 3000 engine 2.5L.   I am impressed with his professionalism. The day I received my UIM superlicence --right after the start of the season in Portimao - was the day that my dream of racing in F1 Powerboat came true. I am looking forward to immersing myself fully in the development programme of the Team alongside Gert Ladefoged."

Giambattista Leonardelli, Team Manager, DanIta Racing Team, said: "After Portimao, we were able to sign Julius Leysen as Gert Ladefoged's team mate. The two drivers know each other well and have already worked and raced together. We began to talk with Julius last year. We were impressed by his experience and interested in his feedback. This was before Vincenzo Poli's accident in Abu Dhabi."

Nicolo di San Germano, Promoter of the UIM F1 World Championship: "I am pleased to welcome a new driver. When Julius Leysen joins the DanIta Racing Team for the next race in Finland, he brings the field of drivers competing in the World Championship to 25, representing 13 different nations (Australia, Belgium, Denmark, France, Finland, Italy, Portugal, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, UAE, UK and the USA). This is an unprecedented record for our sport. A total of 11 teams have registered for the 2003 World Championship."

For additional information, interviews or video footage please contact:

Steve Michael Reporting - Philippe Stiernon F1 Press Officer

Photos: http://www.f1boatphotos.com