“Finally we will now be able to run at top speed and will manage some extra few miles an hour out of the boat. I truly believe that if we had these engines last year, we could have won the championship so this season we’re going all out for the title.”
This was a staunch statement made by Aaron Ciantar driver of Chaudron Casino At Portomaso when addressing the press last Monday.
It was a well patronised Press Soirée held at the Pintonino Restaurant, at the Valletta Waterfront, where the organisers of the 2007 P1 World Championship hosted the local media in an informal atmosphere mainly to present the local participants, team and boat, and also to present and discuss the latest information on the sponsors, past winners, new teams, boats, builders, pilots and any other point of interest related to the P1.
It is now less than five weeks to go for the start of what is expected to be an exciting and spectacular 2007 Powerboat P1 World Championship with Malta presenting the backdrop to the first of a six-event challenging calendar, the Maltese Grand Prix of the Sea scheduled for the weekend of the 5 and 6 May.
Yes, according to Aaron, the two new Mercruiser 500efi engines could be the vital ingredient needed for him and his sister Audrienne to have more podium finishes this season. Besides the boat has had a ‘cosmetic’ enhancement in the form of a refined ‘nose’ which however will not have any performance improvement.
The main speaker on the night was Martin Allerton, Press and PR Manager of the Powerboat P1 World Championship who declared that at present there were 17 confirmed boats with a number of others eagerly going through important and hectic final decision-making moments concerning crew and sponsorship arrangements.
In the evolving story of the five-year-old P1 Worlds one of the most encouraging characteristics is the growing rich mix of nationalities which really give that touch of international representation – Belgium, France, UK, Austria, Germany, Italy, Malta with the possibility of China too.
An interesting and significant participation is that of USA entrant Outerlimits, a 40’ canopied V-bottom which last year won both the National and World Championships of the Offshore Super Series. Now Outerlimits Powerboats are introducing the brand into Europe where they are keen to boost their reputation, and business, through a successful campaign in the P1 Worlds.
Another exciting name on the P1 waters will be sportscar racer and businessman Massimiliano Ferrari, who will be competing for Evolution Class honours with an American-built Skater 399 powered by Mercury Marine Racing engines.
“Yes, a lot is going on in the build-up to what is anticipated to be a grand championship with the Maltese Grand Prix of the Sea, the first moment of truth for crews and machines, where all expectations will turn into reality”, foretell Mr. Allerton.