G.P. OF TURKEY DEDICATED TO EARTHQUAKE RELIEF!

Istanbul, Turkey: (22^nd August) - In what was supposed to be a "standard" round for the U.I.M. F1 World Championship for powerboating, has turned into a conserted effort to raise monies for this past week's earthquake victims in Northwest Turkey.

Under the leadership of U.I.M. promoter Nicolo di San Germano in conjunction with the Prime Minister's office, Mr. Bulent Ecevit, the race event has been turned into a charity event. The Prime Minister went on to stated: "I would like to extend my gratitude for the sensitivity shown in the change of program of the Formula 1 Class Championship to be held in our country in order to give support to the citiznes suffering from the effects of the earthquake disaster and I wish success to the competitors".

The normal Saturday schedule which normally would have seen a practise, two timed qualifying sessions along with a final "shootout" session for pole postion was canceled as the F1 teams honored a day of silence for the victims and their families.

Today's 14:30 starting grid for 40 laps was thus determined by World Championship points. Monaco citizen Guido Cappellini will lead the field with Finnish pilot Pertti Leppala 2^nd, Italian Fabio Camparato 3^rd, American Scott Gillman 4^th and current World Champion Jonathan Jones of Wales 5^th.

Rounding out the top 10 will see Frenchman Philippe Dessertenne 6^th, Italian's Massimo Roggiero and Fabrizio Bocca are 7^th and 8^th while Great Britain's Andy Elliott is 9^th and Argentina's Carlos Maidana 10^th.

While the 22 pilots from 12 different nation's battle on the Bosphorus, the straits that seperate Europe and Asia all powerboat fans can help us with the relief efforts by sending their donations to the UIM who will make sure the funds are sent to the victims.

UIM account at: CREDIT FONCIER, Bd Albert Ier, 98000 Monaco, bank code 12739, guichet code 00070, account No 0040056716P, RIB 53, ref: Turkey.