June 14, 2010

Powerboat GPS - Malta Endurance Race Round 4


Calm Mediterranean sea and a misty sky was the backdrop for Malta's second Grand Prix race, which despite the not so difficult conditions saw four boats retire one of these with a terrible accident at 90 mph, and two which did not make it to the course. This means that the Endurance race followed its title, challenging the ultra fast powerboats and the drivers to extreme testing. A spectacular accident at 90 mph involved 17 Spirit of Belgium from Super Sport Class throwing driver Patrick Huybreghs over one hundred feet away from his cockpit. The fourth round of the Grand Prix of the Sea series ended with two teams in the respective class take a good leadership for the 2010 title. Next Grand Prix in a months time, starting on 9th July in Poltu Quatu in Sardinia, Italy.
Evolution
The 53 Metamarine Forest&Sguardi finally managed to clinch the Malta Grand Prix placing first in the Sunday Round 4 Endurance race. The Adriatic diesel powered mono hull made a brilliant start and continued its leadership to the end. Metamarine driver Marco Pennesi surely leaves the Island with a fantastic reminder then to last years accident during sea trial. In the sixth lap a fast 88 SNAV-Kiton was getting closer to the Italian mono hull before the Outerlimits SV43 had to retire. This was a weekend to forget for the OSG team, which started well by taking Powerpole on Friday, but ended in no points for the 2009 Champion. Second place for 66 Cranefields Wine who made well to hang out in the last parts of the race. 77 Lucas Oil Scandinavian Offshore Challenge ended the race in a third place which was not so bad considering they broke a shaft in the last three laps and had to limp it in to get some points. Saturdays winner 33 Furnibo who where assisted for the Malta Grand Prix with 2007 and 2008 Champion Craig Wilson retired past the middle of the race. At this time the Belgian team where placed second and at about 45 seconds distance from the leaders. Another no race day for 47 Silverline and the new Fountain 43 feet Silverline engined boat. During the morning sea trials the boat looked running quite well, before stopping and going in harbour at a slow pace.
Supersport
The 90 mph speed limit class had important chapters for race four of the 2010 season which are the leadership from start to finish of 38 Baia Attolini, the good recovery of 26 Team 26, the dominion of the Donzi 38ZF hull, and a terrible accident by Spirit of Beglium. Team 26 rounded the first mark in fourth place, but ended the last three laps with a tight nerving battle against the other older Donzi 38 of 38 Baia Attolini. Baia Attolini won the race with only a two seconds lead showing again the good defending skills from the Italian team. Both Donzi teams actually deserve the admiration, 38 Baia for defending its first place from the attacks of Team 26, and the British team for making it up to the second spot. Third place for 43 Seagull Chaudron which saw the Maltese built Supersport 2009 Champion boat taste back some of its past glory, and take second overall for the Malta Grand Prix. Fourth for 22 Big Sergio which had a replacement driver in Benjamin Van Riet part of the 2B1 Racing Team after the SV40 Outerlimits spun out on Saturday leaving helmsman Alfredo Amato injured. Benjamin Van Riet competed in the 2008 championship in Supersport Class with the Chaurdon 33 Spirit of Portomaso. Retirement for 17 Spirit of Belgium on the eleventh lap, and 81 Karelpiu on the ninth. Spirit of Belgium had a terrible 90 mph accident which saw throttleman Patrick Huybreghts fly hundred feet in the air, while the Italian Karelpiu Fountain winner of Saturdays race reached an impressive third from last before retiring. Same fate to Saturday for the o6 Jolly Drive Italian built diesel powerboat, which did not make it to the race course.
EVOLUTION CLASS
1. 60 Metamarine Foresti&Sguardi = 17 laps 59:44,00
2. 66 Cranefields Wine = 1:02:04,00 -1 lap
3. 77 Lucas Oil Scandinavian Offshore Challenge = 01:01,09 -4 laps
4. 33 Furnibo = RET 11 laps
5. 88 SNAV-Kiton = RET 6 laps
- 47 Silverline = DNS
- 55 Ukrainian Spirit = DNS
SUPERSPORT CLASS
1. 38 Baia Attolini = 16 laps 01:02:05,00
2. 26 Team 26 = 01:02:07.07
3. 44 Seagull Chaudron = 01:02:51,41
4. 22 Big Sergio = 01:03:00,49
5. 17 Spirit of Belgium = RET 11 laps
6. 81 Karelpiu = RET 9 laps
- 06 Jolly Drive = DNS
2010 Championship After Round 4
EVOLUTION:
Pos. Boat Name - Team Name ~ Round 3 + Round 4 = TOTAL (incl engine bonus 5 pts)
1. 60 Metamarine Foresti&Suardi - Metamarine Corse ~ 16 + 20 = 74 (2 bonus)
2. 33 Furnibo - 2B1 Racing Team ~ 20 + 0 = 53 (1bonus)
3. 88 SNAV-Kiton - OSG Racing Team ~ 0 + 0 = 45 (1 bonus)
4. 66 Cranefields Wine - Searex Racing Team ~ 7 + 16 = 35 (1 bonus)
5. 77 Lucas Oil - Scandiavian Offshore Challenge ~ 12 + 12 = 29 (1 bonus)
6. 47 Silverline Racing - Silverline ~ 0 + 0 = 0
7. 55 Ukrainian Spirit - Ukrainian Spirit ~ 0 + 0 = 0
SUPERSPORT:
Pos. Boat Name - Team Name ~ Round 3 + Round 4 = TOTAL
1. 38 Baia Attolini - Baia Attolini ~ 7 + 20 = 77 (2 bonus)
2. 17 Spirit of Belgium - Spirit of Belgium ~ 16 + 0 = 49 (1 bonus)
3. 22 Big Sergio - Al & Al Racing Team ~ 6 + 7 = 44 (2 bonus)
4. 43 Seagull Chaudron - Ukrainian Spirit ~ 12 + 12 = 42 (1 bonus)
5. 81 Karelpiù - RG 87 Racing Team ~ 20 + 0 = 32 (0 bonus)
6. 26 Team 26 - Team 26 ~ 5 + 16 = 21 (0 bonus)
7. 06 Jolly Drive - Jolly Drive Racing Team ~ 0 + 0 = 18 (1 bonus)

2 comments:

  1. Grand Prix of the Sea 2010 - Malta
    full video review here: http://vimeo.com/12673995

    ReplyDelete
  2. wow! nice race...

    sandra,
    -------
    ShaitanOfCorsica.com
    Expedition Yacht

    ReplyDelete