“RUN FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP” READY TO START IN CHINA!
HECTIC PACE WITH 6 RACES IN THE NEXT 70 DAYS FOR 2007!

ABU DHABI, UAE – Friday, 21 of September, 2007 – On your marks…Get set…GO! Now, normally, this would be the call to a start a major track and field meet somewhere in the sporting world. However, in the realm of power boat racing, the world’s best drivers are about to reemerge and race their way to a frenzied and feverish conclusion to the U.I.M. F1 World Championship season as the tour heads to the far east and China to the first ever Grand Prix of Xi’an on the historic Yellow River on the 4th and 5th of October.

Xi’an, located in the center of China, is known for their famous Terracotta Warriors, dating back to the first Chinese Emperor Huangdi of the Qin Dynasty in 211 to 207 B.C.  This lovely city, which is capital of the Shaanxi Province, is also regarded as the first capital of China when it was known by the name ‘Chang’ meaning ‘eternal peace’. Xi’an dates back 3,100 years and it is accepted as being the birth place of Chinese civilization.

As the drivers from four different continents arrive in less than 2 weeks time to renew their championship battle for the first time since late May, they will be facing a major challenge with a race circuit that will feature a 7-pin, 1.945 kilometer course with the longest straightaway of just 550 meters in length, making this one of the busiest race circuits of the season.

The race will mark the sixth time that the U.I.M. F1 World Championship for power boating has gone to China with Promoter Nicolo di San Germano having a long and storied relationship with the local authorities that dates back to the first event 12 years ago in Hangzhou in 1995.

“We are especially excited and proud to return to this wonderful country,” said San Germano. “Both organizing committees at race sites in Xi’an and at Shenzhen have put together world class venues and have given us a proper stage so the world can see how great our sport and our show actually presents itself on the water to the people who not only attend the meeting but who watch worldwide on television as well.”

Xian, will mark the first half of a Chinese “double-header” with the second event coming just two weeks later on the weekend of the 20th and 21st in the southern city of Shenzhen which is located just north of Hong Kong near the coast of the South China Sea.

Defending World Champion Scott Gillman of the Emirates Team not only leads the world championship standings after two rounds with 35 points highlighted with his win at the opening round of the season at the Grand Prix of Portugal. The native of Los Angeles, California has a two race winning streak in China having taken the 2004 event in Shanghai and last years race in Chongzhou.

Nine-time World title holder Guido Cappellini of the Tamoil Team, currently 4th in the championship with 15 points, also has two wins in China, but hasn’t tasted victory since doing so in Wuxi, 11 years ago during the 1996 campaign.

For additional information, interviews or video footage please contact:

Steve Michael Reporting - Philippe Stiernon F1 Press Officer

Photos: http://www.f1boatphotos.com