SINGAPORE: Hot on the heels of September's F1 race, the waters at Marina Bay will come alive with high speed powerboats.
After a five-year absence, the F1 Powerboat race is set to make a splash at the Bay this November, making Singapore the second city after Abu Dhabi, to host both such races on tarmac and water.
The UIM F1 Powerboat
race ended its run in Singapore in 2005 despite being a hit with fans.
But it was a matter of time before the race returned to Singapore.
This time, it will take a slightly different format, called the F1 Nations Cup.
Scott
Gillman, a four-time F1 Powerboat World Champion and one of the drivers
for Team USA in the F1 Nations Cup, said: "There is 20 boats all built
exactly the same, so they have the same boat, same engine and
everything. So the competition should be very good because it is all
equal, so it should be down to the driver."
The boats are less
powerful than their F1 version but have similar acceleration coupled
with lighter frames. Capable of hitting speeds of 200km per hour, the
boats also use more environmentally-friendly engines and fuel. Eight
teams, with two boats and two drivers each, will be competing.
Organisers
are also hoping to get Singapore to field a team. The overseas promoter
together with local representatives, are finalising the logistics and
meeting the relevant authorities this week.
Boats will be launched from the floating platform, with the road between the seating area and platform used as the pit area.
The new contract is for three years, but already the organisers are looking to expand the number of races.
Raimondo
Di San Germano, Business Development and Financial Director of H20
Racing, said: "It will be great to have two weekends, with Formula One,
Nations Cup and why not Aquabike as well...we are looking at a water
festival here in Marina Bay and Sentosa."
There are also plans to possibly leverage on this year's Singapore Grand Prix.
Zalinah
Jantan, Managing Director of Maxit International, said: "Another thing
that we want to do is to bring in boats earlier before the event, and
maybe do displays to hype up the event."
The Singapore race will
be staged on the November 19 and 20. It will be the second in the
inaugural series this year, after Abu Dhabi in October.
The event
will see four races over the weekend, each lasting about 45 minutes.
And the organisers are expecting about 100,000 to 200,000 spectators to
line the entire Marina Bay area and catch the high speed action on
water.
-CNA/ac
Hello folks! Please help me like this page for my Final Year Project ! And no, this isn't a spam/virus link..Do take a look at the page as it offers great quality of male undergarments.Please spread the link for this page around your network of friends.Appreciate your help(:
https://www.facebook.com/GroovinGlobal