HONG KONG WINS FORMULA ONE RACE SAR TO HOST ROUND OF UIM F1 POWERBOAT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

PRESS RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jan 27 1999

Hong Kong has won a round of the prestigious UIM F1 Powerboat World Championship.
The SAR will host its first Formula One Powerboat Grand Prix from October 29 to 31 this year at the Tai Po Waterfront Park in the New Territories.

The Grand Prix will be an in-shore race on a 2.9km circuit in front of the Tai Po Waterfront promenade, enabling in excess of 100,000 spectators to watch the action free of charge.  A maximum of 24 international pilots in 2-litre speed machines, which reach 0 to 100kph in 3.5 seconds, will do battle over the carefully planned course. 

Commented Peter Wearing Smith, Chairman and CEO of organisers Grand Prix International Promotions Limited, "We are thrilled to be bringing such a dynamic and exciting world class sporting event to Hong Kong.  The spectacle of state-of-the-art racing machines charging round the course at 220kph will provide superb entertainment." The race programme will feature two full days of watersport action including a number of exciting support races and other attractions.

The F1 World Championship is organised by the world governing body of powerboat racing the UIM (Union Internationale Motonautique), and has attracted millions of spectators around the globe since its inception in 1981.  In addition, each round is broadcast globally via extensive television syndication.  The 11-round series travels to countries such as France, Italy, Russia, Portugal and the United Arab Emirates and has a substantial and enthusiastic following.

Commenting on the new addition to the calendar, Grand Prix racer Carlos Maidana, "Hong Kong is one of the most exciting and vibrant cities the series has ever visited." The newly-formed Hong Kong Powerboat Association, headed by Michael Lieu, one of the SAR's most successful racing drivers and a keen powerboat competitor, will play a leading role in the organisation of the event.  The association is sanctioned by the UIM and is the official powerboat governing body of Hong Kong.

Each competing team is made up of two powerboats, a team manager and support staff.  Like the Formula One car racing championship, points are earned depending on results at each race and the pilot with the most points at the end of the year, wins the championship. The Hong Kong Formula One Powerboat Grand Prix is a Spotlight Hong Kong Event supported by the Hong Kong Tourist Association International Events Fund.  The Provisional Regional Council, police, fire and marine services are also supporting the event.