Bali to host F1 powerboat c'ship
Bali to host F1 powerboat c'ship
Musthofid, Jakarta
Bali will host the third series of the F1 2005 Powerboat World
Championship after plans for the island to host the event this
year were scrapped because of political tension in the country.
The island was originally to host the event on Oct. 10 this
year, but that has now been moved to April 10, 2005.
"The timing was wrong for an international event because it
would have clashed with the aftermath of the presidential
election," Reza Ali from event promoter Power Link said here on
Tuesday.
"The previously planned date would also have coincided with
the fasting season, and we thought it would be inappropriate to
proceed with the event when most of us were fasting.
"Considering these aspects, and with input from the national
water sports' body, as well as the world body, we have decided
that we will host the event in early April next year," Reza said
after signing a cooperation agreement with PT Fortune Indonesia
as a media partner in promoting the event.
The event is scheduled to be staged at Serangan island, to the
south of the provincial capital of Denpasar.
The race will be held on a Sunday, preceded by a qualifying
session on Saturday to decide the starting positions.
The championship was inaugurated in 1981 by the Monaco-based
International Powerboat Association.
Spectators will be able to watch high-flying powerboats that
can reach speeds of up to 240 kilometers per hour and 9,500 rpms.
Reza said about 25 racers from 10 countries would take part in
the event, including eight-time and defending champion Guido
Cappellini of Italy.
Cappellini is trailing in third place this season with five of
12 races completed. He has collected 53 points and is behind two-
time champion Scott Gillman of the United States on 88 points and
Italian Francesco Cantando.
In the team category, Emirates F1 from the United Arab
Emirates leads with 88 points, followed by Singha Racing Team and
Tamoil Team, both from Italy.
The 2004 season, which began in India in March, will end in
the United Arab Emirates in December.