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