10:59 AM Fri 20 Nov 2009 GMT
Fazza will start the Abu Dhabi UIM WPPA Class 1 Grand Prix, race 1, on pole, after an exciting and nail-biting qualifying session in the Edox Pole Position, which saw the provisional pole change hands four times, with less than one-and-a-half seconds separating the top six raceboats.
Fazza's Arif Al Zafeen and Nadir Bin Hendi, who extend their Edox Pole Position Championship lead to 19 points, were made to work hard for their third successive pole position of the season. 'We are very happy with that lap,' said Al Zafeen of their 2mins 38.75secs time, 'The set up is good and we are ready for the race, which we want to win.'
The Australian-Norwegian partnership of Tom Barry-Cotter and Pal Virik Nilsen in Maritimo 11 were less than two-tenths of a second behind the pole-setters with a lap-time of 2mins 38.90secs. Coming to the water late, after changing a faulty water hose, the youngest pairing in Class 1 were disappointed at not setting a quicker time. 'We didn't get a clean lap, which is frustrating as I think we could have gone faster and grabbed pole,' said Barry-Cotter.
Nicola Giorgi and Christian Zaborowski put in only one lap in Giorgioffshore, but their stunning time of 2mins 39.43secs, which saw them sit at the top of the standings briefly, was good enough for third and their first ever Edox Pole Position Podium place. 'We are delighted with the result,' said an elated Giorgi, 'With Christian driving I can push for the whole lap and it makes all the difference. If we stick to our strategy we have a great chance for the podium.'
Victory 1's Mohammad Al Mehairi and Jean-Marc Sanchez, who lead the World Championship standings, found themselves down in fourth place after being unable to match the pace of the top three. Despite a propeller and gear-ratio change, they were still nearly a second off the pace and have it all to do in this afternoon's race.
The all-Norwegian crew of Kolbjorn Selmer and Jorn Tandberg, Welmax, broke a drive shaft and had to be towed in after the session, their one completed lap saw them go fifth fastest just ahead of Victory 7's Mohammed Al Marri and Abdullah Al Mehairbi.
Sea Dubai's Ahmed Al Hameli and Giovanni Carpitella went seventh fastest, with Giampaolo Montavoci and Roberto Lo Piano, of Foresti & Suardi - Roscioli Hotels, finishing eighth.
ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX, EDOX POLE POSITION - Results
1. Fazza 3 - A Al Zafeen (UAE) / N Bin Hendi (UAE) - 02.38,75
2. Maritimo 11 - T Barry-Cotter (AUS) / PV Nilsen (NOR) - 02.38,90
3. Giorgioffshore 18 - N Giorgi (ITA) / C Zaborowski (NOR) - 02.39,43
4. Victory 1 - M Al Mehairi (UAE) / JM Sanchez (FRA) - 02.39,70
5. Welmax 90 - J Tandberg (NOR) / K Selmer (NOR) - 02.39,98
6. Victory 7 - A Al Mehairbi (UAE) / M Al Marri (UAE) - 02.40,14
7. Sea Dubai 10 - A Al Hameli (UAE) / G Carpitella (ITA) - 02.41,81
8. Foresti & Suardi - Roscioli Hotels 8 - R Lo Piano (ITA) / G Montavoci (ITA) - 02.52,76
www.class-1.com
by Class 1
|
Double Is Pt, QLD
