Austrian ace returns to P1
Hannes Bohinc, one of the world’s most successful powerboat racers, will return to the world P1 series in 2009 when he joins the Italian OSG Racing Team, partnering 2006 P1 World Champion, Giancarlo Cangiano.
The two powerboating heavyweights, last of the gentleman racers, both have a steely determination to win. Austrian Bohinc, 49, the 2005 P1 World Champion, last competed for the P1 title in 2007 while Cangiano has remained with the series after following up his 2006 victory with second place and third place in the preceding years. The pairing will raceSNAV OSG, the US-built Outerlimits SV-43, powered by Mercury twin 9.1litre supercharged 1500hp V8s…
“We recently tested the boat on Lake Como and I was very impressed with the engine/boat combination, especially the responsiveness and acceleration out of turns,” explains Bohinc, whose powerboat involvement spanning two decades have been exclusively diesel powered.
“I am happy to be joiningOSGteam. Giancarlo is a gentleman and an accomplished powerboat racer. He does things the right way with passion and excellence. It promises to be a very exciting season.”
After his success in the 2008 Round Britain, and with his appetite for world class endurance racing rekindled, Bohinc had originally decided to race his own boat,Wettpunkt.com, in the longer distance English classics before meeting with Cangiano in January.
“Giancarlo knew I was preparing to go racing,” continues Bohinc. “He told me that he needed ballast on one side of his boat to keep it flat in the water. It was the invitation of a gentleman and I said yes.”
The Naples-based OSG Racing Team is respected throughout Europe for its achievements. The involvement of the experienced Bohinc is certain to provide further impetus on and off the water.
“It will be a very tough and competitive season,” confirms Cangiano, team owner and throttleman, “But we both know what it takes to win at this level. This arrangement also makes financial sense in such difficult economic times and we are excited to be co pilots after competing against each other for many years. The first race can’t come soon enough!”
The Powerboat P1 World Championship, comprising ten races over event events, begins off Valletta, Malta on May 9-10.
