Lai wants to open China to Powerboat P1

'The #08 Phoenix Super Sport boat' U.I.M Powerboat P1 World Championship - &copy

#08 Phoenix team boss and throttleman Martin Lai has said he'd love to open China to Powerboat P1 if the series heads there in the new future. China is a key target for many sports, and Powerboat P1 CEO Jim O'Toole has said the championship is investigating opportunities to race in the country in the next few years.

Although he currently lives in Britain, Lai is intensely proud of his Chinese heritage. In an interview with powerboatp1.com, he talks about his passion for his home country and his desire to be the stepping stone between the Chinese and European powerboat communities. This will be especially important in years to come, as more and more boat buyers come from the new-wealth economies of the Far East.

'Powerboating isn't a hugely popular sport in China yet,' Lai says. 'I get a lot of attention in the boating community for my racing in Powerboat P1, but there hasn't been a lot of general interest - yet. For me, it would be fantastic to race on home soil, but it will also be fantastic for the boat industry in China.

Martin Lai-team boss of the Ocean Dragon Racing ouftit - U.I.M Powerboat P1World Championship - &copy

'There's a growing boat industry that hasn't been exposed to Western audiences yet. I've already had a Chinese boat builder contact me with interest in getting involved in Powerboat P1. It's definitely a plan we'd like to explore, but we have to be sure it's a competitive package. I could be the one who opens up the doors of the Chinese maritime industry to the rest of the world. That would be fantastic.'

Cigarette Pleased with Powerboat P1 success

#46 Spirit of Portomaso team boss Benjamin van Riet says the team is aiming to come back stronger and faster in 2009 after an up-and-down debut season in the SuperSport class this year.

The Belgian outfit finished sixth in the SuperSport standings, with a podium finish in Virgo, but van Riet reckons it could have done even better.

Van Riet - who pilots the #46 Spirit of Portimaso boat alongside his son, Robbe, on throttles - says that the team's pace in rough waters was hampered by running the short 33ft Chaudron 33 hull, which places increased emphasis on drive performance and reliability as the boat has to power from wave to wave.

'The small boat was this year far from easy to race against the longer boats,' van Riet said. 'The major problem with the 33ft hull is that when you need speed, you need to trim the boat, so it is a disaster for the drives. We suffered a lot of drive problems that cost us a lot of money and a lot of championship points that could have allowed us to challenge for fifth place.

'For us, though, 2008 was more than a perfect P1 season. After rain you have sunshine - and, as we found in the last two races, when everything stays in place you can garner some good championship points. We'll start 2009 with the experience that we've built up this year.'