This weekend, the stunning Grand Harbour will once again play host to one of the success stories of European motorsport as the Powerboat P1 World Championship starts its season in spectacular style. Fast, exhilarating, and in the finest of racing traditions, 20 sleek powerful machines and their fearless crews will depart from Valletta Harbour for a high speed adventure, engendered by the evocative image of 'man and machine against the elements'.
The weekend promises to be action-packed, both on and off the water and the P1 organisers have ensured that whether you are a racing enthusiast, a petrol head, a young family or a clubber, there is something for everyone.
For the race action the best vantage point is along the Sliema Promenade. Tomorrow the main event – the first leg of the Maltese Grand Prix of the Sea – will start at 3pm and the boats will complete at least five circuits – all visible to the crowds – before setting off around the Island with the intention of setting a new speed record.
On Sunday, the second leg will again start at 3pm and this time the nail-biting action will take place over no less than 10 laps of the short circuit, all visible from Sliema through to Dragonara Point.
Off the water the area around the Viset Waterfront is definitely the place to be for the glitz and the glamour, rubbing shoulders with the pilots and dancing the night away.
Autograph sessions, children’s activities, podium celebrations and a fashion show will all take place in this area along with entertainment and exhibition zones.
At 10.30pm tomorrow a spectacular fireworks display will signal the end of the free live music and the start of the Powerboat P1 late-night after party (refer to www.powerboatp1.com for information on tickets and prices).
There can be no doubt that P1 means top international motorsport and top class entertainment as Malta prepares to host an unforgettable weekend of action, on and off the water.
Malta’s representatives will be the brother and sister team made up of Aaron and Audrienne Ciantar in the Portomaso-sponsored yellow boat. They will be having a go at the title.
Also taking part for the second time this year is the Chinese team Ocean Dragon Racing in their boat Sun Lik Beer, which consists of Martin Lai (team owner and throttleman) and driver Andreas Halkiopoulos, of Greece. Halkiopoulos is a natural racer with success in both powerboating and on four wheels, where he races a Honda Accord professionally in the domestic Super Touring Rally Championship.
Both said yesterday they were looking forward to winning this year’s SuperSport Class title and were eager to start the season with a success in Malta.
Among the favourites for the Malta event will be the Sunseeker boat which, however, is not expected to continue racing after this season.
The line-up should be the following:
Evolution Class: Fountain Worldwide, Metamarine Corse, OSG Racing, RaceteamSkater, Trident Corse, Limmi Offshore Racing, Muscle XXL Offshore, Outerlimitsd Powerboats, Skater Racing Team and Wettpunkt.com
SuperSport Class: Bullet Racing, Extremeboat, Offshore Performance, Searex Germany, Team Sunseeker, Chaudron, Ocean Dragon Racing, Racing Project, Team Carpenter and VoomVoom.com.