The Malta Powerboats Association, in collaboration with the St. Paul’s Bay Council and the Royal Yachting Association (UK), is organising their first event of the Championship 2011 calendar. This will be held on Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th March and is being presented under the title of Powerboat Festival.
Competing boats are to be divided under three groups namely the 150hp-200hp Class, the 225hp-250hp Class and the Open class with boats between the 300hp-500hp ranges. There will also be a class for Cybers.
The Powerboat Festival is being staged in Bugibba with the Race Committee operating from the Bugibba jetty. On Saturday the racing programme will be from 9 in the morning till 5 in the afternoon while on Sunday this will be from 9.00 a.m. till 6.00 p.m. The podium presentation will be held on Sunday after 6.00 p.m. at the Angelo’s Lido in Bugibba.
The schedule for the weekend event runs as follows. Scrutinising of boats starts at eight in the morning, to be followed by signing-in, security and drivers’ briefing to be followed by a practice session.
On Saturday there will be two races, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, for each class. These will be held in the following approximate time:
The 150hp-200hp Circuit will run at 10.30 a.m. and at 13.45 p.m.; the 225hp-250hp Circuit will run at 11.15 a.m. and at 14.30 p.m., the Open class 300hp-500hp class will run at 12.00 noon and at 16.30 p.m. With regards to the Cybers races these will be held at 12.45 p.m. and 15.45 p.m.
On Sunday the programme will also be made up of two races for each class.
The 150hp-200hp Circuit will run at 11.00 a.m. and at 15.00 p.m.; the 225hp-250hp Circuit will run at 12.00 a.m. and at 15.45 p.m., the Open class 300hp-500hp class will run at 13.30 p.m. and at 17.15 p.m. The Cybers will race at 12.45 p.m. and 16.30 p.m.
Powerboats racing have proved a popular spectator sport every time such events are held in Maltese waters. “We are pleased to collaborate in such a manifestation where the Bugibba Promenade is expected to provide a grand stand overlooking the pit area and the race course”, remarked Architect Graziella Galea, mayor of St. Paul’s Bay.
Another attraction on this weekend will be a display stand where spectators could view at close range the various types of boats that are racing. This stand will be located in the area between the Bugibba Bocci Club and Angelo’s Lido.
Three RYA (Royal Yachting Association) officials, Steve Oaten, Denise Monteith and John Puddifoot, the current RYA (UK) President will be attending the weekend Festival.
This first event of the local 2011 Championship is being contested by the most experienced drivers and co-drivers on the Maltese powerboat circuit. A major attraction will undoubtedly be Aaron Ciantar the P1 World Champion who is also a Training Officer of the Malta Powerboat Association. In his role as Training Officer Ciantar guides with proficient training and skilled technical assistance the new drivers who are always coming into the powerboat racing sport and helps to give them confidence and aptitude.
“The MPA has gone from strength to strength since it was set up in 2008. We have held races in various localities in Malta and on all occasions crowds were plentiful. Yes, we expect a highly contested weekend which should provide an appealing spectacle”, observed Aaron Ciantar.
Further to the Bugibba Festival the Malta Powerboat Association plans three other events for their 2011 Championship calendar. These are scheduled for May 7th-8th (Marsascala), September 10th-11th (St Paul’s Bay), and November 19th-20th (venue to be verified).