Five new venues, but UK left out
The Powerboat P1 World Championship has five new venues on its 2008 calendar, including its first ever Grand Prix in the Middle East and others in France and Spain.
The season will comprise of 14 races in seven host cities beginning in Italy in May and concluding in the Middle East in October. The Italian Grand Prix will be run in conjunction with the Italian Powerboat Series (IPS), ensuring the strongest possible line up. The final European round will once again take place in Portimão, Portugal which, along with Valletta, Malta, are the only host cities remaining from last season’s calendar. These highly popular destinations will be complimented by Grand Prix events in Marseilles and Vigo with Hammamet in Tunisia adding additional spice and anticipation to a very much enhanced calendar.
“As the international appeal of P1 continues to build, the evolution of the calendar is inevitable and we are happy to be able to announce this eclectic mix of top class venues in three continents.” explains Jim O’Toole, Managing Director, Powerboat P1 Management Ltd. “More and more cities and resort destinations are prepared to invest in this class of powerboat racing and to secure the long term rights to our dynamic sports and entertainment platform. All share our enthusiasm for the championship and recognise the potential of its global reach and the impact on the local economy.”
“We are breaking new ground within Europe with the inclusion of races in France and Spain while our visit to the Middle East signifies another new adventure for P1. This is an exciting development as we continue to establish credentials beyond Europe, strongly supported by our teams, the manufacturers and the marine industry.”
2008 Powerboat P1 World Championship Calendar (Provisional)
