CAPPELLINI OUTDUELS GILLMAN FOR POLE IN CHINA!
EMIRATES DRIVER AL QAMZI IS 3RD DESPITE ILLNESS!

CHONGZHOU, China - 4th of October, 2006 – Defending World Champion and current points leader Guido Cappellini put his Tamoil Racing Team DAC boat on pole position with a time of a 45.09 to snatch pole position away from American Scott Gillman of the Emirates Team for tomorrow's 5th Grand Prix of China on the Wenjing River.

After two qualifing sessions, Gillman, the Los Angeles, California native and three-time World Champion had a days best 47.45 second lap around the 7-pin 1.975 meter race course in the new purpose built complex that has sold out everyone of it's 32,000 seats for tomorrow's race. Cappellini, who was 2nd going into the final “Shootout” that brings the top-6 drivers into a last chance to capture pole position, saw the native of Como take his 3rd pole position in China since the events first race back in 1995.

“We are excited about taking the number one position,” stated the 47 year-old. “We know that every past winner here has won from the pole and we are ready to do hopefully the same tomorrow but it won't be easy.”

While the two drivers with a combined 12 titles in the past 13 years were going at each other, another driver, Thani Al Qamzi despite his illness from eating bad food the night before, put on a couragous effort in his Emirates team craft by running a time just behind his teammate Gillman with a 45.9 second lap and will be starting 3rd off the dock tomorrow just 9 points behind Cappellini in the championship.

Finnish driver Sami Selio of the Red Devil Selio F1 effort put his Baba boat 4th improving from a 48.3 second lap in regular qualifying to a 46.58 second lap in the shootout. Sami needs to finish with great results in the final 3 races and get a little luck at the same time to have any hope in the title run this season.

Fifth will be veteran Italian driver Massimo Roggiero of the F1 Qatar Team in a boat that he built himself with a time of a 46.76. He along with teammate Jay Price of New Orleans, Louisiana who just missed the shootout for 7th place with a 48.6 time gives this new team hopes for a good result for tomorrow's grand prix.

Sixth in the shootout was impressive rookie Jonas Andersson of Sweden in the Rainbow Racing effort with a 47.17 second lap. He came on strong late in the 2nd session and charged himself into the shootout despite missing much time with his team working on his setup in the paddock. Teammate Fabrizio Bocca struggled with engine problems and will start 20th off the dock.

David Trask of the XPV Racing effort from Australia ran 8th quick with a 48.62 second lap while his brother Bob was not happy with his 18th place and a 50.55 second lap.

Philippe Dessertenne of Charente Maritime was 9th with a 48.78 while his teammate Philippe Chiappe was 12th with a 49.42. Fabio Comparato of the Comparato Racing effort finished in the top-10 with a time of a 48.93 second lap hoping for another podium this season.

Twenty-two drivers from four different continents will battle tomorrow afternoon at 14:30 local time, 07:30 GMT and 02:30 EDT in North America at the 5th Grand Prix of China, the 4th Round of the U.I.M. F1 World Championship for power boating.

For additional information, interviews or video footage please contact:

Steve Michael Reporting - Philippe Stiernon F1 Press Officer

Photos: http://www.f1boatphotos.com