FIRST TRAINING DAY: NO SAMBA SURPRISE

 Arif Al Zafeen and Nadir Bin Hendi underlined their 2010 title credentials with a blistering time in testing for the Brazilian Grand Prix in Rio roaring home a full six seconds quicker than their nearest rivals.

Piloting Fazza 3, the defending Class 1 world champions shrugged off the intense heat to set a quickest lap of 2m:40s and show they mean business in the opening round of the UIM Class 1 World Powerboat Championship this weekend.

Second fastest over a course just yards from the city"s famous golden beaches were Norwegians Jorn Tandberg and Kolbjorn Selmer in Welmax 90 with a time of 2m:46.82s, while the second Dubai boat Fazza 1 was third with Mohammed Al Marri and Abdullah Al Mehairbi posting a best time of 2m:50.15s.

"It"s a very tight course and of course the weather means the cockpit is a hot place to be," said Bin Hendi. "You feel it the moment you step inside but once you make that first turn you forget all about the heat."

The first classificatory training, that defines the front line for race 1, is scheduled for Satruday, 27th, at 10:45 am.

The remaining teams made their laps not so far from the first 3 classified.

Team Abu Dhabi, piloted by Class 1 debutant, Rashed Al Tayer, and Nicola Giorgi finished fourth fastest with a best time of 2mins 53.04 secs

Duemme - Foresti & Suardi, piloted by 90-race veteran Giampaolo Montavoci and Guido Cappellini, also went out early, completing five timed laps as 2mins 56.37secs lap to take over 12 seconds off their first lap-time.

Another of this season's new pairings, Fabio Magnani and Marco Pennesi in Foresti & Suardi - SCAM  made their best time in 3mins 5.71secs .

The newest boat of the fleet, Welmax Alianza, remained on the trailer, with Giorgio Manuzzi and Marit Strømøy enduring a frustrating day as the crew worked frantically to get the boat ready for qualifying.

TESTING ENGINES

Fazza #3 is testing its boat one day before the Big Season to start.

FAZZA 3: LEADERSHIP

A day before Class-1 World Championship officially starts, pilots, crews and press are already working.  This morning the throttleman Nadir Bin Hendi, Fazza #3 2009 world Champion  spoke to the press.

According to the throttleman, the name "Fazza" was chosen, instead of the corporate name Victory team, in honour of their  H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum and team sponsor.

Using a T-shirt showing a HH Sheik Hamdan Picture, the quiet throttleman explains that Fazza 3 is as the Sheikh is known and means "person who helps other or who benefit others" and stats they are here to win: "this is how the sheikh thinks", jokes Nader

Competting along with Arif Al Zafeen for 2 years, Nadir Bin Hendi, used to be a pilot and now controls the throttle. The team is quite well adjusted as he says abot how they must work as a team "both must think like one. [...] It is a man and husband relationship".

For the first time in Brazil, the Dubai team is quite excited to race over Brazilian Waters and for a 1 million people audience: "It will be an hounour" says the pilot. According to the organization, it is expected over a million watching the races on the Flamengo Beach.

CLASS-1 CP BRAZIL FIRST LADY: MARIT STØMØY

Norway's Marit Strømøy will become the first woman to race in the Class 1 World Powerboat Championship for over a decade when she makes her debut at the Brazilian Grand Prix in Rio de Janeiro, 26-28 March.

Welmax Offshore Racing has confirmed that the team will run a two-boat entry in their bid for title honours in 2010, with Strømøy joining her fellow Norwegians Jorn Tandberg and Kolbjorn Selmer and the second newcomer to the team, Italian, Giorgio Manuzzi.

Born in Sandefjord, Norway and now living in Oslo, thirty-three-year-old Strømøy made her racing debut in 1989 at the age of twelve.  In 1993 she started racing in S-550, winning the European Championship three times (1996, 1998, 1999) and the Nordic Championship twice (1996, 1999).  In 2000 she moved up to race in F-2000, and was voted 'rookie of the year', finishing second in the UAE Presidents Cup in 2002, second in the Nordic Championship in 2005 and third in the European Championship in 2007. She became the first woman to compete in the F1 World Powerboat Championship in 2007, taking third overall in the Team Cup in 2009.  She has also competed in the legendary Rouen 24-hour race, finishing on the podium three times (second in 2009 and third in 2006/7).

This season Welmax Offshore Racing will be looking to build on an impressive 2009, which saw throttleman, Jorn Tandberg, team up with Kolbjorn Selmer to form a fearless partnership and enjoy a stellar first season together, taking five Grand Prix and two qualifying podiums, to finish third overall in the World and Edox Pole Position Championship standings.

Stømøy leaving the pier after her first Brazilian water taste.

ABOUT TIME

It's about time the races to start. The day before Class-1 official training starts, all crews and the staffs are working hard to get everything ready to go.



Abu-Dhabi e Welmax Offshore have already trained and the impressions about the circuit are the best ones.

To keep the expectations up for the big day tomorrow, check a few pics of the last prodution day.



The Welmax Offshore team on the go.





Class-1 first lady, Marit Strømøy leaving the pier after testing Brazilian waters.



Last checks and adjustment for tomorrow and it is time to go.



A little bit of what the weekend is about to bring. Feel it up!

ABU DHABI THE FIRST TO TAKE THE WATERS OF GUANABARA BAY

Team Abu Dhabi was the first boat to take to the waters of Guanabara Bay, ahead of this weekend's Brazilian Grand Prix, with Class 1 debutant, Rashed Al Tayer, pairing with Nicola Giorgi for the first time.

Al Tayer and Giorgi enjoyed a trouble-free unofficial shakedown test completing several circuits. "This was the first time out with Nicola and I felt very comfortable with him. It was also the first time on the circuit for both of us so the aim was just to shakedown the boat and to start to get used to each other." said Al Tayer.

Al Tayer steps up to the top flight of racing from a diverse background of competition in Aquabikes, F2000, the F1 Powerboat Championship and the XCAT series.

Nicola Giorgi, with over 70 race starts under his belt, was also very positive about their first outing. "The test went well. Rashed showed good control and immediately developed a good feel for the boat. The circuit is very tight, quite short and the turns are very demanding. Acceleration will be the key in qualifying and in the races and to try keep the speed into and out of the turns. Our target for the weekend is to get as much time on the water as we can to develop the partnership in the cockpit, to be reliable and target a strong points finish."

BRAZILIAN RACE

Check the changes made on Class-1 Brazilian Circuit about to happen on Guanabara bay on Friday 26th. The first training is scheduled for 12:30 p.m.

Understanding the map and the circuit:

On the red set, the presentation 2.59 nm (nautical miles) lap starts, conducted by 2 Nor-Tech Star boats.

The black line indicates de 4. 01 nm official circuit lap

Every circuit has long laps here represented by the 4.43 nm green line.

On Saturday, during the Race-1, after the Edox Pole Position Classificatory race, all teams must complete one long-lap. They choose, as racing strategy, when the team should run it.

On Sunday"s official race, the teams must run 2 complete long-laps.

GIORGIOFFSHORE FROM ITALY

Gianni Giorgi's team is over a decade experienced on powerboat races and now they are expecting the big season to open for the first time in Brazil.

Giorgioffshore team has conquered its very first podium in 2008. It was the 3º place on Mina Seyahi GP. In 2009 they finished Abu Dhabi race on third place once more.

Who pilots the Michael Peters-designed powerboat are Rashed al tayer (UAE) - driver - e Nicola Giorgi (ITA) - throttleman.

CLASS-1 ON MARINA DA GLORIA

The public wiling to follow Class1Powerboat Championship - GP Brazil from Marina da Glória can buy the show tickets on the internet from Ingresso.com. It is Class-1 2010 season opener and happens on March 26th, 27th e 28th.

The tickets are split onto visiting allowance, V.I.P. boxes and Class-1 Experience. They can be bought single tickets or as a 3-day Pack.

There also are available tickets for Class 1 Experience. It includes the VIP boxes benefits plus a circuit lap in the promotional boat.

Among March 24th and 28th, tickets can be bought at Marina da Glória from 9:00 às 18:00 on Mach 24th and 25th; on 26th, form 10h to 20:30; on 27th e 28th, from 9:00 to 18:00.

PRICES

VISITING PACK

*            Friday (free trainings): R$50,00 (R$ 25,00)

*            Saturday or Sunday (free training + race): R$ 110,00 (R$ 55,00)

V.I.P. BOXES (there is no half prices)

*            Friday: R$ 150,00

*            Saturday or Sunday: R$ 350,00

CLASS 1 EXPERIENCE

*            Friday, Saturday or Sunday: R$ 800,00

3-PACKS BOTH VIP BOX OR VISITING

*            20% discount on full prices

POWERBOATS ARRIVING IN RIO DE JANEIRO

On 21st March, a Sunday, all Class-1 boats arrive at Marina da Glória in Rio de Janeiro for the Brazilian leg of Class-1 Powerboat World Championship.

Seven boats crossed the so called marvelous city streets, getting the attention of those who were around and about the shore.

Every team brings their own logistic and their own crew to get the boats ready for running.

The teams coming for the 2010 Class-1 season opener are:

1 - Victory Team (U.A.E.) bringing along 2 boats: Fazza #1 e Fazza #3

2 - Giorgioffshore (ITA) 1 boat:  Abu Dhabi #5

3 - Duemme Yacht Brokers (ESP) 1 boat: Duemme Yacht - Foresti e Suardi #8

4 - Veneta-Marina Racing (ITA) 1 boat: Foresti e Suardi - SCAM # 88

5 - Welmax Offshore Racing (NOR) 2 boats: Welmax #90 e o Welmax Allianza #91

Check out a few pics of their arrival:

COUNT DOWN

It is less then a week for the GP Brazil Class 1 Powerboat World Championship to start. The working rhythm of the teams speeds up at Marina da Gória. About 200 people are working under the wonderful view of the famous statue of the Christ, the Redeemer and by the Copacabana Bay. The total area of the structure is around 4.000 square meters.

By the end of the leg, the built structure travels to its next stop: Arendal, in Norway, where the second races are to happen between 16th and 18th July. The World Championship also races in Sweden, Romania, Italy, Abu Dhabi and Dubai (U.A.E.).

HOW MUCH DOES A TEAM COST?

To maintain a powerboat team isn't quite cheap. It costs about US$ 1 million to US$ 3 million a year to keep each team working. But we are not talking about big numbers yet.

The whole season all around the world are not so cheap either. The Brazilian leg costs alone about US$ 7 million and it is happening for the firs time in the country in the next few days - 26th-28th March. Rede Globo Television will be responsible for broadcasting the races.

The main speed-race line is in front of Flamengo Beach, in Rio de Janeiro, where over a million people are expected to watch Class-1 races from the shore.

The VIPs boxes, on the other hand, are placed at Marina da Glória and they are prepared to receive 2000 people.

It is the first of 10 Brazilian GP's to be made in the city. The host country does not have a team yet but it already has a world Champion: the businessman Eike Batisa, in 1990.

NORWEGIAN OPTIMISM FOR 2010 CLASS-1 SEASON

The Norwegian team of Welmax Offshore Racing is quite optimistic about 2010 Class-1 season. And it is not without a reason. Last year the team won its first podium on the championship. Now they are planning to become world championship by 2012.

Kolbjørn Selmer says to be very pleased about 2009 races. The team took podium for 7 times during the season and won the world bronze medal.

They are now expecting the big season to start and the team is very excited about Racing in Brazil.

The Welmax Offshore Racing team manager, Per Jorgensen, came to Rio a month before the GP starts to get to know the structure and all logistic matters. He says that Marina da Glória is the perfect place for the race. One of the most proper places to receive a Class-1 leg he has ever seen.

On the line up the team brings 2 boats: #90 welmax and #91 welmax.

Kolbjorn O. Selmer comes as #90 Welmax throttleman alongside the Italian driver Giorgio Manuzzi. On #91 Welmax, Marit Strømøy becomes the first woman to race in the Class 1 World Powerboat Championship for over a decade. She is the boat"s driver alongside Jorn Tandberg as throttleman.

VICTORY TEAM TO LAUNCH TWIN FAZZA ASSAULT

Following the most successful  year in their history, the Dubai Victory Team goes into the 2010 season looking to defend the UIM Class 1 World Powerboat Championship title with a two-boat line-up.

The most successful sporting team in the history of Middle East sport, the Victory Team will present a two-crew line up featuring reigning world champions Arif Al Zafeen and Nadir Bin Hendi in Fazza 3 with two-time World Champion Mohammed Al Marri partnering Abdullah Al Mehairbi in Fazza 1 with Talib Al Sayed as reserve driver.

The team will launch the defense of all their titles at the opening round of the Class World Championship at Rio de Janeiro in Brazil on March 26-28.

With both Dubai boats now branded with the name Fazza - a tribute to the team's chairman HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum - it will be the first time since the team entered its debut Class 1 season in 1993 that the Victory name will be missing from the line-up.  "The corporate name of the team is still Victory but we feel it is important to run both boats as Fazza in recognition of the huge support and encouragement we receive from HH Sheikh Hamdan," said Al Zafeen, who was recently appointed Victory Team Executive Director.

For the coming season, Bin Hendi and Al Zafeen will compete in the boat that took them to the Class 1 crown in 2009 but have opted to keep the number three as opposed to the number one that is available to the world champions. The honour of racing as Fazza 1 - last year's Victory 7 - goes to the experienced veteran Al Marri and the charismatic Al Mehairbi, runner-up in his debut Class 1 season while racing with the late Sanchez in 2008.

MAKING OFF

Within less then a week for the Class-1 season opener to start, the expectations spreads all over town for the teams arrival and the races to start. 

Some teams are already here and all the boats have already arrived.

While waiting for the races, to keep all expectations high, check some making off pics out.

One of the city most famous symbol: the Christ, the Redeemer, seen from Marina da Glória, where the V.I.P boxes are placed.

Who's got the privilege of being there, will be able to watch closely every moment.

Class-1 structure fits two thousand people.

This is what you see from the V.I.P boxes prepared for the Class-1 season opener in Brazil.

The Santos Dumont airport is just beside the boxes and garantee an extra show  as the brazilian poet Tom Jobin says: "Aperte o cinto, vamos chegar / Água brilhando, olha a pista chegando / E vamos nós / Pousar..."

RACING LEGEND GUIDO CAPPELLINI TO RACE IN RIO

F1 Powerboat legend, Guido Cappellini, will make only his second start in the Class 1 World Powerboat Championship, 16-years after his Class 1 debut alongside Renato Molinari, in this week's Brazilian Grand Prix in Rio de Janeiro, 26-28 March.

The opportunity to race in the season-opener was offered to Cappellini by Domenico Cirilli, team principal of Spanish outfit, Duemme Yacht Broker, following the last-minute and unexpected withdrawal of HRHP Turki Bin Thamer Bin Saud Al Saud.  "First of all I"d like to thank Duemme Yacht Broker and IOTA who gave me this opportunity," said Cappellini.  "The Class 1 Brazilian Grand Prix in Rio de Janeiro is an historical event for powerboat racing and I am honoured to be one of the protagonists.   It will be a new experience for me. I am really looking forward to testing and competing in the first races of the season and to understand how the discipline has developed over the years. What am I expecting ?  A new experience and of course to enjoy doing something different and quite new for me."

Cappellini will take the wheel in the Michael Peters-designed Mercury V8-powered Tencara, Duemme Yacht Foresti e Suardi, alongside fellow-Italian and experienced throttleman, Giampaolo Montavoci, a veteran of 92 races on his background.

ABOUT CAPPELLINI

Born in Mariano Comense (CO), Italy on 7 September, 1959 and now living in Monte Carlo, Cappellini has dominated the F1 Powerboat Championship for the last two decades, winning the World title ten-times, taking 62 race and 70 Pole Position wins.

He made his F1 Powerboat racing debut in 1985, winning his first World title in 1993, which he retained for the next three years.  He lifted his fifth title in 1999, and then claimed a hat-trick of titles in 2001, 2002 and 2003.  His ninth World crown came in 2005 and his tenth last season.

WATCH OUT FOR THE LADIES: BETTY COOK

When Mrs. Cook joined the male-dominated sport in 1970, piloting a high-powered boat over ocean waves at speeds up to 160 km/h, she was dismissed as a wealthy and bored housewife trying to while away the tedious hours. She proved her critics were totally wrong by winning her first world championship in Key West, Florida, in 1977. 

As Offshore powerboat is one of the most brutal of all the motor sports, Cook brought a new life into it. She is widely renowed as one of the most successful offshore powerboat racer. She won UIM (Union Internationale Motonautique) World Championship (1977 and 1979) twice and she is a 3-times the APBA - American Powerboat Association (1978, 1979, 1981) winner. Her first victory was in 1974 and, from that time on, she fullfilled her carreer of glory. From her Kaama boat, she won more then 17 races. 

One of the greatest moments of her life occurred off in Key West on a particularly lousy November day in 1977. The nastier the weather and sea, the more offshore fans love it, though. 

By the time the 38-foot Kaama came bubbling up the wake toward the dock, the crowd on the shore toasted a woman who was still too wobbly to climb out of the cockpit. They watched her tug off her crash helmet and nodded surprised: "Where is everybody?" Betty Cook asked.

Good question. Race officials yelled to Cook that she was the first one in; the other boats were still out there in the murk. They also noted that she was now the new open-class world champion. In fact, the next boat didn"t finish for another 21 minutes. Betty Cook retired in 1982. Sadly she passed away after a battle against cancer on December 23rd 1990 aged 67. Still, she is remembered as one of the greatest powerboat pilots who ever dared to race.

WATCH OUT FOR THE LADIES: DOROTHY LEVITT

A male Sport, right? Speed, power, great risks and long trips. Not to mention all those playboy bunnies. Right? Not so fast ... Off-road Powerboat Racing has always come into attention of the fair sex. Since early 20th XX century women took place on the competitions represented by a certain Miss Dorothy Levitt. Miss Levitt adventures herself into male's world and outstands as she was: a pioneer multitask woman. 

She was a talented journalist, an aviator, a renowed motor racer who broke a few records, also works as a writer and an activist. Levitt was addicted to speedboat racing and drove for and with Selwyn Edge, an Australian businessman who were also a motor racer and record breaker. 

It was 1903 and the famous Harmsworth Trophy in Cork Harbour, Ireland, inaugurated the Great Britain speedboat races. How surprised were the audience when they could realize the great winner "Napier" had not a man pilot, but a ladylike one. As Selwyn Edge" was both the owner and entrant of the boat, thus "S.F.Edge" is engraved on the Trophy as the winner. Dorothy Levitt tried to counter the clichés about mechanically ignorant females:

"I am constantly asked by some astonished people "Do you really understand all the horrid machinery of a motor, and could you mend it if it broke down?"" ... "the details of an engine may sound complicated and look "horrid," but an engine is easily mastered."

CLASS ONE 2010

THE TEAMS

THE COMPETITION

POWERBOAT OFFSHORE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP: GRAND PRIXS