Mediterranean Grand Prix
29 - 30 July 2006
Gallipoli, Italy

IT'S HOTTING UP AS O.S.G AND CHAUDRON TAKE THE GLORY! - O.S.G completed a double-victory to take the Evolution Class title in the Powerboat P1 Mediterranean Grand Prix of the Sea. Today's win means that the Sterling-powered Donzi of Giancarlo Cangiano and Antonio Cola is now within 30 points of the Championship leader, Kerakoll, with four races remaining. Kerakoll were forced to retire with engine problems on the second lap. Whilst the end margin from second placed Fainplast and third placed Kiton was emphatic, there were several times during the race when Fainplast looked set to make a move for the lead but did not quite have the speed. An impressive and carefully planned start had seen O.S.G take the lead at the first turn and an equally impressive set-up for calm waters allowed them to race away and secure a first Grand Prix win of the season. In SuperSport the Maltese team Chaudron were equally as dominant, taking an early lead, extending it lap by lap to win by a margin of more than three minutes. The team had clearly learnt from its hard fought third place in yesterday's Endurance race and its performance today was exceptional, the aggregate of points scored over the two legs enough to secure them the SuperSport Mediterranean Grand Prix of the Sea crown. Pilot Aaron Ciantar and his sister Audrien make a formidable partnership and they now head to Cowes as the in-form team, knowing that after an indifferent start to the season they are closing fast on all the leading contenders for the Championship. Behind Chaudron the race unfolding was one of close action, clever tactics and surprises! Yesterday's race winner, Ocean Dragon suffered engine problems and was content just to complete the course whilst ARPRO and yesterday's runner-up Jolly Special were forced to retire during the early stages. This opened the way for Belgium team FORone, British boat Microlink PC and the Italian Italcraft to challenge for a podium place. Second placed Carpenter, whose strong challenge was some consolation for yesterday's disqualification for missing a buoy. The Belgium team eventually took the final spot - it's second podium place of the season- closely followed by Italcraft. In finishing fifth on the day and recording their best result of the season, Microlink PC were one of several teams that is picking up the pace, building that vital experience that will guarantee a thrilling end to the season. For every team in the Championship it's still all to play for.

2006 UIM Powerboat P1 World Championship
Mediterranean Grand Prix of the Sea – Final Results

Evolution Class
Pos – No. – Team

1. – 88 – O.S.G Donzi
2. – 90 – Trident Kiton
3. - 64 – Fainplast

SuperSport Class
Pos – No. – Team

1. – 46 – Team Chaudron
2. - 8 – Ocean Dragon Racing
3. - 33 – FORone
4. – 50 – Jolly Special
5. - 3 – Carpenter
6. – 7 – Microlink PC
7. – 44 – Oba Oba Racing
8. - 20 – Emmecidue FPT

2006 UIM Powerboat P1 World Championship
Mediterranean Grand Prix of the Sea Round 2 – Race Results

Evolution Class
Pos – No. – Team – Pts

1. – 88 – O.S.G Donzi - 100
2. - 64 – Fainplast – 80
3. – 90 – Trident Kiton - 60

SuperSport Class
Pos – No. – Team – Laps - Time – Pts

1. – 46 – Team Chaudron – 100
2. - 3 – Carpenter – 80
3. - 33 – FORone – 60
4. - 21 – Italcraft XT – 50
5. – 7 – Microlink PC – 40
6. - 8 – Ocean Dragon Racing - 30

Mediterranean Grand Prix
29 - 30 July 2006
Gallipoli, Italy

ADRIANO PANATTA CI CREDE ANCORA, LA SUA IMBARCAZIONE CE LA FARA'! - Il Campione del mondo PowerboatP1 della stagione 2004, che ha visto andare a fuoco la sua imbarcazione durante le prove libere, incidente che ha pregiudicato la sua partecipazione al weekend P1 del Grand Premio del Mediterraneo di Gallipoli, e' sicuro che la sua imbarcazione sara' riparata in tempo per le prossime gare e per preparare un gran finale di stagione. L'ex campione del tennis, che viste le fiamme si e' gettato in mare insieme al suo compagno Claudio Castellani per motivi di sicurezza, ha spiegato: “La nostra imbarcazione e' seriamente danneggiata e metterla apposto richiedera' tanto lavoro ma credo che ce la faremo ad essere pronti per la prossima gara di Cowes. Inoltre abbiamo la nuova imbarcazione che potrebbe esordire e volendo potremmo contare sul suo apporto. Ma io ho troppo rispetto per il mio vecchio CUV, ha corso per oltre 20 anni e non e' questo il modo per far finire la carriera di un grande campione.” “Inizieremo i lavori immediatamente per cercare di portare la barca in acqua per la prossima gara di Cowes e cercare di concludere nel modo piu' opportuno la carriera di una grande barca, per vedere poi di iniziare un nuovo capitolo con una barca ancora piu' bella”. Panatta e' rimasto davvero rammaricato nel vedere come era ridotta la sua imbarcazione, ma era comunque sollevato per il fatto che nessuno si era fatto male. Ha detto: “C'e' stata una esplosione e dopo 30 secondi il fuoco. Siamo immediatamente saltati fuori dalla barca per timore che esplodesse. Alla fine tutto bene, ma e' stato davvero orribile vedere una barca ridotta in quelle condizioni. Ma siamo sicuri che tornera' ad essere quella splendida barca che era”.

ADRIANO PANATTA INSISTS HIS BELOVED THURAYA WILL RACE AGAIN! - The 2004 Powerboat P1 World Championship winner, badly burnt during practice for this weekends P1 Mediterranean Grand Prix of the Sea, will be restored and given a Grand Finale. Former tennis star Panatta, who jumped into the sea along with team mate Claudio Castellani for fear of his life, said, “Our boat is very badly damaged and requires a lot of work but we shall be ready to race in Cowes. We have a new boat which will soon be ready to race and it may seem that introducing the new boat now is the way forward. But, I have too much respect for our CUV, it is a racing thoroughbred of 20 years and this is no way for a great champion to be retired.” “We will start work immediately to get the boat ready to compete in Cowes and hopefully it can then be retired with glory and we can start a new chapter with an even more beautiful boat” Panatta was stunned to see his boat so badly damaged but relieved no-one was hurt in the terrifying incident. He said: ‘There was an explosion, then 30 seconds later fire. We jumped into the sea because we were afraid the boat would blow up. We were fine but it was sad to see the boat like that. Still, we shall make sure it looks wonderful again'.

Mediterranean Grand Prix
29 - 30 July 2006
Gallipoli, Italy

OCEAN DRAGON WIN, CARPENTER DISQUALIFIED! - As a result of exceeding the maximum average speed by more than 2mph, SuperSport team Carpenter were disqualified from the first leg of the Powerboat P1 Mediterranean Grand Prix of the Sea. Jolly Special, were also penalised for speeding and given two 30 second penalties which moved them down into second place. Maximum average speeds were introduced for the safety of the sport. In Evolution Class wild card entry SIF was disqualified for missing a buoy. The revised result is as follows:

2006 UIM Powerboat P1 World Championship Mediterranean Grand Prix of the Sea Round 1 – Race Results

Evolution Class
Pos – No. – Team – Pts

1. – 88 – O.S.G Donzi - 100
2. – 90 – Trident Kiton - 80

66 – Kerakoll – DNF
64 – Fainplast – DNS
76 – FORtwo – DNS
75 – SIF - DSQ

SuperSport Class
Pos – No. – Team – Laps - Time – Pts

1. - 8 – Ocean Dragon Racing - 100
2. – 50 – Jolly Special - 80
3. – 46 – Team Chaudron – 60
4. - 44 – Oba Oba Racing - 50
5. - 33 – FORone – 40
6. – 7 – Microlink PC – 30
7. – 20 – Emmecidue FPT – 20

55 – ARPRO - DNF
21 – Italcraft XT – DNS
3 – Carpenter – DSQ

Mediterranean Grand Prix
29 - 30 July 2006
Gallipoli, Italy

A JOLLY SPECIAL AFTERNOON IN ITALY – O.S.G WIN IN EVOLUTION Jolly Special fought off all-comers in sweltering heat to secure a SuperSport Class victory in the first leg of the Powerboat P1 Mediterranean Grand Prix of the Sea. It was a sweet first win of the season for the Italian championship contenders Albatro Marine, racing a Yanmar-powered Albatro craft, and some consolation to a team who had recently been forced to replace its experienced throttle man, Maurizio Bulleri after he suffered a back injury. In Evolution Class, the Donzi 38ZR of O.S.G piloted by Giancarlo Cangiano and Antonio Cola dominated from the start to win from Kiton with wild card entry SIF in third. The victory elevated the Neapolitan team into second place in the championship and strengthened their challenge for the title as the two leaders failed to score points- Kerakoll retiring at the midway stage with a blown turbo and Thuraya unable to race following yesterday's dramatic fire during practice. The flat seas created a fast and open race but the conditions and especially the temperatures were not to everyone's liking as boats and pilots suffered in blazing sunshine with cockpit temperatures above 50 deg C. Carpenter team owner and driver, Sergio Carpentieri, was just one example of a pilot who did not have the strength to drag himself out of the cockpit to celebrate his heroic second place finish in SuperSport- it took three litres of water and more than a little help from his friends to get him out of the boat and onto dry land. The SuperSport win for Albarto Marine and its pilots Simone Cesati, Eduardo Platero and Gianbaltista Gabriele, follows four third place finishes in 2006. The achievement was remarkable when considering that Platero was competing in only his second P1 race and Spaniard Gabriele his debut. Third place in SuperSport went to the British-based Chinese team Ocean Dragon who, in an exciting last lap, fought off a late challenge from the Maltese Chaudron team to take the final podium place and with it a slim lead in the championship.

2006 UIM Powerboat P1 World Championship
Mediterranean Grand Prix of the Sea Round 1 – Race Results

Evolution Class
Pos – No. – Team – Pts

1. – 88 – O.S.G Donzi - 100
2. – 90 – Trident Kiton - 80
3. – 75 – SIF - 60

66 – Kerakoll – DNF
64 – Fainplast – DNS
76 – FORtwo – DNS

SuperSport Class
Pos – No. – Team – Laps - Time – Pts

1. – 50 – Jolly Special - 100
2. – 3 – Carpenter – 80
3. - 8 – Ocean Dragon Racing - 60
4. – 46 – Team Chaudron – 50
5. - 44 – Oba Oba Racing - 40
6. - 33 – FORone – 30
7. – 7 – Microlink PC – 20
8. – 20 – Emmecidue FPT – 10

55 – ARPRO - DNF
21 – Italcraft XT - DNS

Mediterranean Grand Prix
29 - 30 July 2006
Gallipoli, Italy

THURAYA FEELS THE HEAT! High drama of a fire on board Thuraya, the Lamborghini powered boat of Adriano Panatta, Claudio Castellani and Raffaele Giannoni, dominated today's practice session for this weekend's Powerboat P1 Mediterranean Grand Prix of the Sea in the Italian coastal resort of Gallipoli. Winners of the previous Grand Prix and one of the favourites for this weekends Evolution Class title, Thuraya, in searing temperatures, burst into flames whilst testing out at sea. With flames leaping more than six feet in the air and surrounding the cockpit, the crew were immediately forced to abandon ship. They were taken to the medical centre by rescue boat and though wet, thankfully all three escaped without injury. The boat is being towed into harbour where the full extent of the damage will be assessed. It is unlikely that Thuraya will play any further part in this weekends race action. Claudia Castellani, Driver, Thuraya: We heard an explosion behind us and as the engine cover lifted we saw the flames. We knew immediately that it was serious and immediately abandoned ship. We are all OK but will not know the full extent of the damage to the boat until it arrives back in harbour. Unfortunately, we are not expecting to race this weekend and must now decide whether we can race her in Cowes. It may be that we have to rush the preparation for our new boat. Only time will tell! The first leg of the Mediterranean Grand Prix of the Sea starts tomorrow at 12:30pm.

Mediterranean Grand Prix
29 - 30 July 2006
Gallipoli, Italy

The ancient Southern Italian city of Gallipoli lies south of the baroque citadel of Lecce and is not to be confused with the area of the Dardanelle peninsula in Turkey that bears the same name and which witnessed one of the bloodiest battles of the First World War. Located on the 'heel' of the 'boot' formed by the Italian coastline Gallipoli has a medieval centre on an island with its own natural harbour that is linked to the modern town by a long stone bridge. Gallipoli is a city with ancient Greek origins that are reflected in its name, which is derived from 'kale polis' - the Greek words for lovely town. In its more than 2000 year history the city was also an important Roman municipum and a stronghold against invading Norman forces during the Byzantine period. Historic and artistic treasures to be found in modern day Gallipoli include the beautiful baroque cathedral of Sant' Agata, the white church of the Purita and the Church of St Francis of Assisi. The city is also notable for the narrow lanes and balconied houses of its historic centre, it's footpaths scented with juniper and myrtle winding through rocks to soft, sandy beaches and its turquoise sea. In addition Gallipoli is a gastronomic delight, with numerous restaurants offering local specialities in particular fresh fish and other seafood, and has a vibrant nightlife. When the Powerboat P1 World Championship comes to town in July competitors, officials and spectators alike will receive a warm welcome from the city known as the 'The Pearl of the Ionian Sea'.

Mediterranean Grand Prix
29 - 30 July 2006
Gallipoli, Italy

NEXT STOP FOR P1 AS THURAYA SEE BLUE…OR DO THEY?

With twenty boats lining-up for the Mediterranean Grand Prix taking place in Gallipoli at the weekend, one of the questions being asked is whether the local team Thuraya will be unveiling a brand new diesel-powered craft for their home Grand Prix? The answer is unlikely to be revealed before the team arrives in the dry pits on Thursday, just 48 hours before the action commences. Piloted by experienced racers Adriano Panatta, Claudio Castellani and Raffaele Giannoni, fresh from a stunning victory in the German Grand Prix with the ‘tried and tested' Lamborghini V12 engines, the new boat, when it is ready to race, will be competitive and have the most distinctive look in the championship, according to pilot Claudio Castellani. “We were the first team to launch a red boat in P1 and it has generated huge interest, our colour scheme idea has been followed by many other teams” explains Castellani. “With the introduction of a new boat we feel it is time for a change and to set new standards with a colour scheme that can create a dramatic impact and ‘wow' the public.” Claudio continues, “We have chosen a stunning blue that is very similar to the blues used by the governing body, the UIM and P1. We have no doubts that it will set us apart from the competition.”
Setting the team apart from the competition has been something that the team has become used to since it became the only petrol engined craft in the championship with Lamborghini V12's. The ‘lambo' has become a favourite of the crowds, the evocative sounds of the engines reverberating across the waters endearing the Thuraya team to motorsport aficionados across Europe. Castellani enthuses, “It is a great honour to be such a popular team and the people will gather to hear the sound of the engines. Whether the boat is parked on its trailer, or in the dry or wet pits, we are always being asked to start up the engines. For many, engine noise is such an important part of motor racing and the sound of the V12's is a beautiful sound that provides the passion and the emotion that is such an important part of the sport.” “We love petrol and we love aluminium” continues Claudio, “and our decision to change is more about the commercial side of the business and our ability to compete at the highest level. The new Seatek engines will give us the power, torque and reliability to challenge for the title. We did look at continuing with petrol but there are very few options available to us”.
Castellani concludes, “We are in a championship that provides the marine industry with a platform to demonstrate its products and with so few petrol engines now available for commercial use it is difficult for a manufacturer to justify a significant commitment. Whilst it has been a difficult decision to move away from petrol engines we hope that in the future the petrol engine will return to P1, perhaps in a separate category.” Claudio Castellani is one of the Championship's most experienced racers recognised for his skills on both water and land. Not only is he an expert pilot and yachtsman, having won international honours in both, he is also an accomplished rally driver and has driven top-level rally cars for many years. Castellani is a former Rally Sport Group A champion and continues to teach the skills as a rally driving instructor specialising in disciplines such as racing, safety and acrobatics!

Mediterranean Grand Prix
29 - 30 July 2006
Gallipoli, Italy

Clicca su questo Link per vedere le Classifiche del Mondiale PowerBoat P1 2006 prima della Gara di Gallipoli

 

Mediterranean Grand Prix
29 - 30 July 2006
Gallipoli, Italy

Clicca su questo Link per vedere quali sono i Teams che partecipano al Mondiale PowerBoat P1

 

Mediterranean Grand Prix
29 - 30 July 2006
Gallipoli, Italy

Guarda la cartina della gara "ENDURANCE" di Sabato 29 Luglio 2006

Guarda la cartina della gara "RALLY" di Domenica 30 Luglio 2006

 

Mediterranean Grand Prix
29 - 30 July 2006
Gallipoli, Italy

WHO IS P1'S TOP SPORTSMAN?

The glamorous and no limits world of Powerboat P1 has attracted a unique and growing brand of gentleman racers, each holding an eternal fascination with speed on water coupled with the adventure engendered by the evocative image of 'man and machine against the elements'. While not all professional racers, many of the P1 elite have honed their skills and established their credentials in racing through their talent and commitment to other sporting disciplines. Many have a long and distinguished history in powerboat racing and are vey much a part of the success of the Powerboat P1 World Championship. With the explosive growth the championship has experienced over the past few years and the significant increase in team and pilots, it's far from easy to quantify the accomplishments of these daring racers and certainly their achievements already cement their place in powerboat and sporting history, but who is P1's top sportsman? Thuraya's pilot, Claudio Castellani, is one of the Championship's most experienced racers recognised for his skills on both water and land. Not only is he an expert pilot and yachtsman, having won international honours in both, notably competing in the 2005 Rolex Middle Sea Race with Steinlager II when he specialised in navigation, tactics and telecommunications, he is also an accomplished rally driver and has driven top-level rally cars for many years. Castellani is a former Rally Sport Group A champion and when not competing in P1 continues to teach the skills as a rally driving instructor at one of Europe 's top driving schools specialising in disciplines such as racing, safety and acrobatics. He is a shareholder of the ProRace Rally team, comprising 9 Mitsubishi Evo 9's.
Castellani's team mate, Adriano Panatta, is widely considered to be one of Italy 's greatest ever tennis players, and some fans consider him to be among the best clay court players in tennis history. Panatta is the only player to have defeated Björn Borg at the French Open. He achieved this feat twice – in the fourth round in 1973 and in quarter-finals in 1976 when he won the French Open defeating Harold Solomon 6-1, 6-4, 4-6, 7-6. During the same year he won the Italian Open and helped Italy capture its first-ever Davis Cup title, winning two singles and a doubles match in the final against Chile . He reached his career-high singles ranking of World No. 4 that year. Panatta then went on to win the WCT tournament in Houston in 1977 defeating Jimmy Connors and Vitas Gerulaitis and reached the quarter-finals at Wimbledon in 1979. Panatta's final career singles title came in 1980 at Florence . He retired from the professional tour in 1983. Since retiring as a player, Panatta has gone on to serve as Captain of Italy's Davis Cup team and as Tournament Director of the Rome Masters. Vahid Ganjavian - known as 'Vee' - is another pilot who could easily claim to be the top sportsman in the championship. Having played Rugby for Hampshire, Vee has also tried his hand at pretty much ever form of motorsport, from production motorbike racing including the New Era 600 and Honda Challenge to racing on four wheels in Formula Ford, Formula Renault and Renault 5 Challenge Sport Production series. More recently, Vee enjoys the lifestyle and all-night parties of the Gumball 3000; winning the rally at the wheel of his Ferrari in 2000. Not to be outdone, Vee's team mate Charlie Willaims-Hawkes has numerous achievements in mountain biking to his name and was Exe Croquet champion in 2001 and 2005, winning the Riversmeet Cup. Although introduced to sailing as a child, our final possible candidate Piersimone Volpe's competitive career on water did not start until 2000 when he competed in the final round of the World Endurance Championship. The son of a ski instructor, by the age of six Piersimone had started to ski in competitions and his thrill for speed began to take shape. At 10 years old he fell in love with motorbikes and competed in motocross until he was 19 when his interests turned to bodybuilding and full contact sports. He has since competed in 29 powerboat races, winning 7 and in 2005 in Dubai in the Offshore 3-6 class finishing in a highly creditable 5th place.