GILLMAN STAMPS HIS 25TH CAREER POLE IN DOHA!
PHARAON & DESSERTENNE IN TOP 3; CAPPELLINI 6TH!

DOHA, Qatar – 18th November, 2005 – Defending World Champion Scott Gillman of the Emirates Team took out two months of frustration and set the pace with the only sub 48 second lap and will lead the field of 22 drivers for tomorrow's 1st Annual Grand Prix of Qatar the 4th round of the 2005 U.I.M. F1 World Championship for power boating.

The native of Los Angeles, California came up with his 25th career pole position and his first of the year knowing that he must do everything right with just 3 races remaining in the campaign as he sits 6th in the championship despite leading every race this season.

"We have done everything right, but our luck has been all wrong this season," stated Scott. "Now there is little margin for error and everything must fall in our favor for us to repeat in the championship, but I have faith in this team so it is surely still possible. We just want to have some fun out there tomorrow."

While Gillman did a 47.78 for 158 kph around the 7 pin 2.15 kilometer course in Doha Bay, Laith Pharaon of Team Green powered his way to a fine 2nd place with a 48.16 and a speed of 156 kph. The Saudi driver is once again finding his flair after struggling through a huge crash late last year at the G.P. of China and now seems to have his "mo-jo" back and just in time as he sits 5th in the championship with 17.5 points.

"We didn't really disappear," stated Pharaon. "We however are now right back on the edge and we are really cooking. I can't wait for the race to get another crack at a win in the Middle East." Pharaon last won at the Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi in December of 2003.

Ligier Sports driver Philippe Dessertenne  reached the top 3 for the second time this season as he looks for his 2nd career win running third today with a 48.71 and a speed of 155 kph. This was the native of La Rochelle's 13th qualifying podium as he hopes for back to back podium finishes tomorrow.

Fourth quick was Finland's Sami Selio as the native of Helsinki did a disappointing 48.72 after coming into the top-6 shootout 2nd quick after two timed sessions. Selio, who has failed to start in the top-3 all season has raced well finishing 2nd in the last two events and has moved up into the runner-up position in the championship with 22.5 points.

Italian Francesco Cantando is 5th with his Singha F1 Racing boat doing a 49.90 and hopes to parlay this result into his 2nd straight victory after coming off a fine win at the Grand Prix of Singapore back in mid-September. The native of Milan will be going for his 12th career win.

The final position in the top-6 went to the points leader this season and 8-time World Champion Guido Cappellini of the Tamoil Team. He came into the shutout looking for is 4th straight pole of the season only to have his gear case fail him and saw him come to a stop on his qualifying lap forcing him to start tomorrows race in the 6th position.

Italian Massimo Roggiero of Team Green just missed the top-6 with a 51.16 and he will start 7th. Fabio Comparato of the Comparato Racing Team sponsored by Doctor Glass will start 8th with a time of 51.18. Duarte Benavente of Portugal will start 9th in his Atlantic Team Burgess boat and a 52.17 average time. Rounding out the the final top 10 position was Australian David Trask in the XPV Racing effort with a 52.62 average despite barrel rolling in qualifying.

Twenty-two drivers from 12 different nations will take the start of the 1st Annual Grand Prix of Qatar in Doha Bay in front of an expected crowd of thousands of fans along the harbor with the race starting at 14:30 local, 12:30 CET and 6:30 Eastern Standard time in North America.

For additional information, interviews or video footage please contact:

Philippe Stiernon
Press Officer
Philippe@f1boat.com