TWO IN A ROW FOR GILLMAN WITH WIN IN ISTANBUL!
CAPPELLINI CLOSES ON TITLE WITH 2ND; SELIO 3RD!

Istanbul. Turkey (23rd August) - 1997 World Champion Scott Gillman proved again he's the "rough water magician" by taking the lead on the 1st lap from his 4th starting position and built up a 14 second lead in less than 3 laps as he took the rest of the 21 boat field to school winning the 1st annual Grand Prix of Turkey on the straits of the Bophorus during the 7th round of the U.I.M. F1 World Championship for powerboating.

Gillman, who had been experiencing a frustrating season with engine failures while challenging for race wins and who had only finished two of the first 4 events, has now won the last 2 events and has moved his DAC Emirates Team into 2nd place in the World Championship with 67 points. "I felt comfortable right away in these conditions, the boat was just perfect all day", stated the California native. "I enjoy the rough water and started to back off after building a lead of over 20 seconds, as I didn't want to do anything stupid at this point.

All in all, it was great to get the race in after it looked for so long that we wouldn't get it in because of the windy conditions." His main challenge has come from Cappellini, head of the powerful DAC Racing team and winner of the first 4 events of the campaign, closed on Gillman in the final 15 laps of the 35 lap event and looked to challenge the American from Basalt, Colorado for the lead before settling for his 6th straight podium and placing himself in a strong position for his 5th World Championship with 110 points on the season, 43 points ahead of Gillman with just 3 races remaining. "I did what I had to do to maintain my goal as World Champion for 1999," stated the 4-time World Champion from Monaco. "Six completed events and 6 straight podiums I feel very statisfied with that and am looking forward to Vienna in 2 weeks."

Third place went to a surprisingly strong Sami Selio from Finland who after a struggling beginning to 1999 reached the first podium of his career with a strong 3rd finishing spot, 4 seconds ahead of current World Champion Jonathan Jones of Cardigan, Wales who finished 4th. Selio held 2nd for most of the race until being passed by Cappellini as Selio, rookie of the year in 1998, lost his radio communication but was happy with the result. "I was just happy to finish", stated the pilot on the Team Europe effort, "I was running out of strength in the rough conditions and was happy to see the checkered flag. I will be training harder from now on".

Italian Franco Leidi has his best result ever in his F1 career starting 20th and finishing 7th. For the 5 time speed champion it was also his first championship points of the season. Another Italian, Massimo Roggiero was 5th, with Frenchman Phillipe Dessertenne finishing his 4th straight top 6 finish with his 6th place. Francesco Cantando was 8th, with Italian rookie Ivan Torta scoring his frist ever championship points in only his 5th ever start with his 9th place result. Rounding out the top 10 was Finland's Pertti Leppala, not happy since his position moved him out of 2nd in the World Championship.

The event was special since it was the first International sporting event held since this past week's earthquake. A 50,000 dollar contribution from the teams, the promoter and the UIM was donated to the Minister of Tourisim for the victims. All powerboat fans can help increase this amount 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.
Or by the UIM F1 website at www.f1boat.com .

The 8th round of the UIM F1 World Championship for powerboating will be held in two weeks in Vienna, Austria for the 1st Annual Grand Prix of Austria on 5th of August.