1:02 AM Tue 11 Aug 2009 GMT
The powerful two-boat Qatar team has withdrawn from the remainder of the UIM Class 1 Offshore series, citing 'misconduct and bad sportsmanship' as behind the decision.
Sheikh Hassan bin Jabor, president of the Qatar Marine Sports Federation (QMSF), said the Qatar team would not be taking part in any of the remaining four races.
The Sheikh partners offshore legend and throttleman Steve Curtis in the Qatar 96 boat, while Abdullah Al Sulaiti and Matteo Nicolini handle the Qatar 95 boat.
It is rumoured that another team, believed to be Norwegian, is also contemplating pulling out of the championship, while Australia's Bill Barry-Cotter, owner of the two boat Maritimo team, has come out in full support of the Qatar team.
He said he will withdraw the team after the next round in Romania (August 28-30). 'We're making the decision to contest the Romanian round only as a last ditch attempt in the hope that the Victory team and the organisers can sort this matter out,' he said. 'If they are unable to solve the problem, Maritimo will withdraw.'
Sheikh Hassan told a press conference on Tuesday (Aug 11) that the Qatar teams have withdrawn from the championships 'in the best interests of the QMSF.'
The Sheikh said his decision stemmed from an incident at the start of last month's Norwegian Grand Prix in Arundal. He said there was 'misconduct' and that officials were too slow to respond to the matter.
Team members were dissatisfied with the conduct of the Victory 1 team, eventual winner of the GP.
In a blistering attack on the Victory team (owned by the Dubai Government), Sheikh Hassan said it had been consistently breaking the rules and not respecting the comments made during drivers' briefings.
Several racers have openly declared the Victory team to be 'bad sports.' 'From 2006 onwards, the Victory team has been messing with the starts and nothing has been done about it,' Sheikh Hassan declared.
Three members of the Victory team are from Dubai; Arif Saif Al Zafeen (driver) and Nader Bin Hendi (throttles) in the #7 boat and driver Mohammed Al Mehairi (driver) in the #1 boat. Victory 1's throttleman is Frenchman Jean Marc Sanchez.
Tom Barry-Cotter, driver of the #11 boat in the Maritimo team, said the Victory personnel were the 'unfriendliest' group in the championship. 'They don't mix with other competitors at all,' he said.
Tom said he was bitterly disappointed with the Qatar decision, but fully supported it and the criticism directed at the Victory team.
'Maritimo will contest the Romania GP later this month, but if the Victory team do not come to the table and make amends for recent behaviour we will withdraw from the championship,' he added.
Victory 1 leads the current point score following its Arendal win, with Fazza 3 second, just five points behind, Foresti and Suardi holding third with Qatar 96 and Maritimo 11 equal fourth. Maritimo 12 is just three adrift on 12 points.
by Bob Wonders
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Macquarie Island, TAS
