Zeebrugge is to host the Belgium Grand Prix of the Sea,on September 8-9.
The Belgian Port of Zeebrugge is to host the Belgium Grand Prix of the Sea, the penultimate round of 2007 Powerboat P1 World Championship, on September 8-9. The significance of this date is that, over consecutive weekends, Belgium will host two motorsport World Championship events, with the Formula One GP preceding powerboat event.
Spain had been the original venue chosen for this round but, for a second successive year, negotiations with an interested Spanish city ended without meaningful commitment. Meanwhile Zeebrugge had already put forward an impressive case for hosting an event and, on learning of the Spanish situation; the multi-purpose port filled the breach.
Belgium has a strong nautical heritage and in recent years its coast has played host to several major maritime events. The 2007 Powerboat P1 Belgian Grand Prix of the Sea will be supported by the Belgium Offshore Challenge – an invitational event open to all categories of sportsboat – creating an event that could become the catalyst for a Cowes-style annual powerboat festival.
“P1 is pleased to announce this event in Zeebrugge, which is sure to be well organised with strong public support,” explains Nathan Knight, CEO of Powerboat P1. “We are also very pleased to be able to provide a ‘home race’ for our Belgium based championship clothing sponsor. The venue couldn’t be more appropriate and we hope this announcement will also encourage other Belgian teams to experience Powerboat P1.”
