U.I.M. CLASS 1 WORLD POWERBOAT CHAMPIONSHIPS 1999.
RACE SEVEN – FUJAIRAH GRAND PRIX – UAE.
13 – 15 OCTOBER 1999.
TECHNICAL COMMISSIONERS REPORT.
Eleven boats were in Fujairah for round seven of the World Championship in temperatures of over 40 degrees C.
Boat No.1 "Spirit of Norway". Extensively repaired after it’s accident in Istanbul with a new port side stern rear quarter being moulded and grafted on. The only boat to get under twenty three seconds in the first run of pole position but dropped to fourth place overall on the second run with a speed of 129.42mph (208.41kph). Retired in the race on lap three, after getting hosed down on a corner and salt water causing an electrical fault effecting the gear change.
Boat No.3 " No Fear". Running well when they were able, but were having turbo charger problems all weekend. Had a turbo go down on the way out to pole, managed one run at 108.79mph (175.18kph). Ran as high as third in the race with a fastest lap of 107.32mph (172.72kph) until once again on lap eight, another turbo expired.
Boat No.4 "Victory Team". Another boat to have extensive repairs. A complete new front section being fitted forward of the cockpit bulkhead after the major trip and stuff it had in Arendal in July. Ran 133.15mph (214.42kph) in pole, good enough for second place. Ran in second spot for most of the race until No.44 had problems. Took the lead on lap nine and held it to the flag, this, despite loosing a blade on one propeller. Recorded a race average speed of 101.79mph (163.83kph) and a fastest lap of just over 113mph finishing only sixteen seconds ahead of "Hyatt" after 127 miles of racing.
Boat No.5 "Binautica". Took sixth place in pole with 117.96mph (189.95kph). This ever reliable team only just missing out again on a podium position, finishing fourth with a race average of 94.27mph (151.71kph).
Boat No.8 "L.A.Jeans". Two newly rebuilt engines fitted for this race. Recorded a best time in pole of 98.87mph (159.20kph). Retired from the race on lap four with a conrod through the block. They had been up until that time averaging 78.27mph (125.97kph).
Boat No.9 "Jolly Motors". Not a good weekend, could only manage seventh place in pole with 117.76mph (189.63kph). Retired from the race on lap four after one of the Lamborghini engines destroyed itself. Had been running 104.42mph (168.70kph) laps.
Boat No.22 "Isiklar". Had a best run in pole of 98.68mph (158.91kph), retired from the race on lap eleven due to taking in water through a fitting on the heat exchanger.
Boat No.27 "Hyatt". Did the first run in pole at a speed of 127.33mph (205.05kph) good enough for fifth place. Secured a second place finish in the race at an average speed of 101.48mph (163.33kph) sixteen seconds behind the winners. This may have been a race win if they too had not damaged a turbo charger earlier in the race.
Boat No.44 "Victory Team". With only their second run in pole to count they recorded 129.04mph (209.25kph) and third place. Leading the race with a best lap average speed of 111.28mph (179.10kph) until they sheared blades on both propellers and retired on lap ten.
Boat No.90 "Jotun". Recorded a 113.95mph (183.50kph) in pole. Ran as high as third place in the race averaging 105.00mph (168.00kph) lap speeds. Another of the diesel powered boats to have turbo problems this race weekend, retired on lap seven with turbo related faults.