A weekend of spectacular action in the P1 British Powerboat Grand Prix at Cowes
A weekend of spectacular and dramatic action in the Powerboat P1 British Grand Prix off Cowes ended in success for the British husband and wife team of Mike Shelton and Jackie Hunt in the SuperSport Grand Prix title. The result has strengthened their second place in the world P1 championship behind points leaders Ocean Dragon. With one event remaining the title is most definitely there for the taking.
While the action further astern was equally fast, the twin Mercury engines of the American Dragon boat powered the British title contenders away from the pack and onto an emphatic victory. The diminutive Hunt appeared to be relishing the bruising conditions as the rough seas took their toll on the field including several of the leading contenders. Among these was Exeter-based Ocean Dragon Racing that had a difficult race, but recovered well in the later stages to be placed equally fourth on the day and second in the Grand Prix so maintaining its championship lead. The lead from ARPRO is now down to 50 points, the difference between a first and fourth place finish! The final SuperSport podium place in the British Grand Prix of the Sea went to Jolly Special.
In only its second ever outing, the British SuperSport wild card entry of Team Sunseeker piloted by Andy Wilby and Gavin Brown finished the second leg with an impressive third place and further proof that in next years championship Sunseeker will be a leading contender.
In Evolution class, the Seatek-powered Fainplast won the British Grand Prix with a well-planned tactical performance to finish fourth having done the hard work on Saturday winning the first leg. It was the first Grand Prix victory of the season for Metamarine, piloted by Marco Pennesi, Luigi Bisceglia and Ernesto Ascani.
A superb battle unfolded as the two leading contenders in the championship, OSG Donzi and Kerakoll fought for the line. The lead changed hands several times and for much of the race the distance between these 2000 horsepower ‘muscle’ craft was less than five seconds. As the waters became rougher and the action more spectacular, OSG Donzi began to dominate and eventually took the chequered flag and a third place overall in the Grand Prix.
First and second on the day was some consolation to both teams following Saturday’s joint disqualification for exceeding the class speed limit. The Italian boat, Kiton Cantieri del Mediterraneo finished third, its two podium places over the weekend, providing Guisseppe Salvatori, Dario Longo and Maurizio di Stasio with a well deserved Grand Prix runners up place moving them into third place on the overall points standings.
OSG Donzi and Kerakoll now have equal points at the top of the Evolution World Championship title with just one round remaining. This is the third consecutive season that this existing World Championship will be decided on the final round in Oeirras near Lisbon, Portugal, on September 30/October 1.
2006 UIM Powerboat P1 World Championship
British Grand Prix of the Sea – Grand Prix Result
Evolution Class
1. Fainplast – 150pts
2. Trident Kiton – 140pts
3. OSG Donzi – 100pts
SuperSport Class
1. ARPRO – 180pts
2. Jolly Special – 140pts
3. Team Sunseeker 120pts
4. Ocean Dragon Racing – 110pts
2006 UIM Powerboat P1 World Championship
British Grand Prix of the Sea – Championship Standings
Evolution Class
Jnt 1 Kerakoll – 640pts
Jnt 1.OSG Donzi – 640pts
3. Trident Kiton – 570pts
4. Thuraya – 420pts
5. Fainplast – 400pts
6. Wettpunkt.com – 50pts
SuperSport Class
1. Ocean Dragon Racing – 620pts
2. ARPRO – 570pts
3. Jolly Special – 490pts
4. Team Chaudron – 380pts
5. Carpenter – 350pts
6. FORone – 345pts
Jnt 7. Italcraft XT – 260pts
Jnt 7. Emmecidue FPT – 260pts
Jnt 7. Microlink PC – 260pts
10. Buzzi Bullet – 190pts
11. Oba Oba Racing – 120pts
