And here we are at the start of the prime offshore performance boat competition which this year makes the first way point in Italy, on the Eastern Adriatic Coast in San Benedetto Del Tronto. This year competition will have some important rule changes aimed at improving the competitive side of this ever growing motor, water sports. Of the new changes without going too much on the technical side of things, is the separate racing for the two classes, with Supersport starting late morning and the faster Evolution class in the afternoon. Another important change is the speed limit which for the prime Evolution Class is non existent having been removed from the previous season, and the Supersport having a limit of 85 mph. The 2008 Season has so far 11 Teams in the Evolution Class and 9 in the semi production Supersport Class, that is the teams confirming a yearly participation and excluding the single venue wild cards. The legends of the Evolution Class return more competing then ever and champion Fountain Worldwide will have a heavy task defending the title. Starting with never ending OSG Team who for this season will race with a new official Outerlimits boat, which means the 2006 winner wants his title back. There is also some important new teams in this class, starting with a really welcomed surprise of which I am amazed to announce myself, of the Cigarette European Team, the legendary American Powerboat brand who has written history for this sports. Another return is renowned Italian fast yacht builder Italcraft Inrizzardi Team, who written history for its hull design and propulsion innovation in the past and also raced in 2006 with 2 boats in the Supersport Class and won Evolution title in 2003. This year they return in the much demanding Evolution Class, but in the hands of experienced driver Adriano Pannatta. Other important confirmations are the return of Searex who achieved good results since competing in half of the season, last year. Italian Metamarine Corse will be at home in this venue and will want to prove that the negative 2007 season was only a track error for title conquest. 2007 season third classified Nigel Hook Racing has kept the engines of the 2007 season and gambled for a new Skater boat. After a difficult 2007 season Skater, are back again in 2008 but with new engines, in this case Ilmor power which supplied the 2007 title winner. Another team which might give some surprises is the all British HoneyParty.com, who before competing in P1, did race in the USA with very good results.
In Supersport class we also have much returns from the 2007 seasons, first of which we mention defending champion Racing Project with there Chaudron boat who for the 2008 season have the sponsor support of renowned yacht builder Conam, but also a new co-driver with Aaron Ciantar of Chaudron family joining in the squad. Sunseeker Challenge also return again, with the same outfit of the not so special 2007 season, but may be the little tweaking can do the difference here. Eternal runner up team Bullet Racing who came second in 2004, 2005 and 2007 will try again to win the title this season, is this the one? Another renowned brand who will sponsor and compete is Baia High Performance OSG, with Roy Capasso marketing manager of the renowned Yacht Builder part of the crew. Seems he got addicted after winning last year the Viareggio - Monte Carlo - Viareggio with a 63 Azzurra and now gets to compete in the P1 with the Donzi boat, winner of the 2006 and runner up 2007 in Evolution. Team Al & Al compete with The Big Sergio boat, a boat dedicated to the memory of Sergio Carpentieri who sadly lost his life in the 2007 season in Germany. Spirit of Portomaso Chaudron 33, while not in the hands of the Chiantar Chaudron family will still compete, but with new Belgium owners and Mike Shelton from Extremeboat joining in as navigator.
So this is it for the presentation of the first round for the 2008 season. Powerboat P1 has just updated its website for the new competing season and as a viewer and follower, I gladly inform that thanks to the partnership with Virtual Spectator, the one famous for it's use in the Americas Cup it will be possible to view all racing directly from the comforts of your desktop. With the Radio addition this will make some very good racing viewing! As a final criticism to Powerboat P1 I hope the TV coverage section gets improved, as still I have no idea which channel to look, what time and if any give the races directly on TV on one of the many broadcasters listed in the official site.
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