01 May 08

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RACING FEVER

P 1 is the pinnacle of powerboat racing, a dynamic and exhilarating series where, in the hands of fearless and highly skilled pilots, the fastest mono-hull boats compete over 14 races and three continents for the world championship title. Extreme, glamorous and spectacular, P1 attracts the crowds, media and celebrities. Put it on your must-see list!

Incredible as it may seem, the motorsport of powerboat racing started in Cowes, England, in 1903, when a group of English gentlemen were invited to race their privately owned motor yachts around the Isle of Wight. As the years have passed, the mix of human courage, physical endurance and a willingness to push man and machine to the absolute limits have been the foundations of a sport that maintains an unexplained mystique over its 105-year history.

Today, the values of those early pioneers are recaptured in the Powerboat P1 World Championship, where the action, atmosphere, glamour and glory of an illustrious past are brought to the masses through P1’s “Grand Prix of the Sea” events. The packed programme of entertainment that supports a P1 Grand Prix weekend has all the trademark features of a top-line motorsport event, and delivers a world-class experience for a broad audience.

In 2007, more than 280,000 people attended events, with more than 100 million watching the worldwide television coverage. Think stunning coastal locations, rich in culture and basking in sunshine, and the foundations of a P1 experience start to take shape. And then there is the racing, as boats with up to 2,000 horsepower pound the waves at speeds of more than 100mph in a fiercely fought series of races. Overtaking and airborne action are guaranteed – tactics, skill and daring are essential.

Teams from across Europe, the US and China compete in two classes: Evolution for ultra prototype boats and SuperSport for standard production boats, with the racing in both classes always competitive.