U.I.M. CLASS 1 WORLD POWERBOAT CHAMPIONSHIP 1999.
RACE SIX – AEGEAN GRAND PRIX – BODRUM – TURKEY
3RD – 5TH SEPTEMBER 1999.
Ten boats were in Bodrum for the second race in Turkey in a
week.
Roger Trotman carried out the Technical Inspection for this race, no faults were found.
Boat No.1 "Spirit of Norway". Was not at this event racing, but the boat and team were there continuing to make repairs to hopefully be ready to race in Fujairah.
Boat No.3 "No Fear". Damaged a turbo in Saturday morning practice necessitating an engine change. Did a 142.82mph (299.99kph) run in pole, good enough for fifth place despite damaging another turbo and yet another engine change for the race. Completed fourteen laps in the race for fifth place at a race average of 100.81 (162.25kph).
Boat No.4 "Victory Team". Once again did only one run in pole at 141.89mph (228.48kph). Finished in second place in the race with an average speed of 113.58mph (182.79kph) for only their third finish this season.
Boat No.5 "Binautica". Recorded 135.66mph (218.46kph) in pole, had another reliable race, albeit three laps down, seventh place and seven more championship points. Now lies fifth in the point’s table.
Boat No.7 "Victory Team". Another good weekend for this team. Three wins in a row in pole for this Seatek powered, Weismann transmissioned boat, 155.13mph (249.81kph) and into second place in the pole championship. Also scored a hat trick of race wins with a race average speed of 115.84mph (186.43kph). This was despite having one gearbox stuck in fourth gear from lap one onwards. This latest win takes them 34 points clear in the championship with three races to go.
Boat No.8 "L.A.Jeans". Once again failed to reach "muster area" due to mechanical troubles in the ageing Lamborghini engines. Were unable to make any repairs overnight and were a non-starter for the race.
Boat No.9 "Jolly Motor". Missing for the Istanbul round but back in Bodrum to score a third place in pole with 146.84mph (236.45kph). Also finished third in the race, after one engine cutting out completely at one stage. One of only three boats to complete the full race distance at an average of 112.90mph (181.70kph).
Boat No.22 "Isiklar". Went back to running the older two valve Lamborghini engines for this meeting. Put in a 107.03mph (172.35kph) in pole. Changed one engine for the race, was then running one two valve and one four valve engine. Completed one lap only in the race retiring with suspected low oil pressure on one engine.
Boat No.27 "Hyatt". Second place in pole by the closest of margins, nine thousandths of a second to record 155.03mph (249.65kph). Changed both the dropboxes and the torque tubes as a precaution after pole position. Led the race in the early stages but retired on lap ten with engine problems.
Boat No.44 "Victory Team". Fourth place in pole with 146.84mph (232.45kph) and keeping the pole position championship lead. Were leading the race until they threw a blade on one propeller, dropped down to sixth place.
Boat No.90. "Jotun". Seventh place in pole with 140.95mph (226.97kph). Had a reoccurring transmission fault in the race, recorded a race average of 102.48mph (164.93kph), but the team are learning all the time.
Another dominant meeting for the diesel powered boats with No.7 winning both pole and the race and Hyatt just knocking on the door. We now perhaps have to re think the air restriction rules and run both petrol and diesel engines with controlled fuels.