Lucas Oils-Outerlimits wins P1 British GP

by Martin Allerton on 27 Aug 2007
Lucas Oil-Outerlimits, driven by Joe Sgro and Mike Fiore, secured its maiden Grand Prix victory in the British Grand Prix of the Sea, winning today's second leg to complete a weekend double.

Under intense pressure from King of Shaves, piloted by Craig Wilson and James Shepperd, they twice re-took the lead from their arch rivals with the gap rarely more than five seconds throughout the 54 nautical mile race. It was the finest possible example of powerboat racing - competitive, dramatic aerial action and overtaking throughout.

Tight circuit racing may not favour all the P1 muscle machines, and in particular those with diesel engines, but it certainly suited the two American craft whose neck and neck racing was captivating for the huge audience packed along the Cowes Esplanade and on the hundreds of craft lining The Solent. Britain's James Shepperd, driver for King of Shaves, the Ilmor-powered Fountain, is renowned for his brilliant turning but nothing he could do in the closing stages would reel in the all-American leaders.

Behind these two, another titanic battle was being fought out for third place between Wettpunkt.com and OSG, with OSG finally winning it at the last buoy to take third on the day and in the two-legged Grand Prix. Behind them, both the German Searex and Italian Kiton team secured valuable championship points and Kiton rounded off a strong weekends racing with fourth place overall.

Fainplast decided not to race today, in protest against recent decisions that they feel have unfairly undermined their cause.

The Championship now moves to Zeebrugge, Belgium, for the penultimate Grand Prix over the weekend of 8/9 September.

British Grand Prix of the Sea - Round Two - Evolution Result
1. - 97 - Lucas Oil Outerlimits - 100
2. - 99 - King of Shaves - 80
3. - 88 - OSG - 60
4. - 81 - Wettpunkt.com - 50
5. - 76 - Searex - 40
6. - 90 - Kiton - 30
57 - Limmi - DNF
59 - Way to Happiness - DNF
64 - Fainplast - DNS

British Grand Prix of the Sea - Evolution Result
1. - 97 - Lucas Oil Outerlimits - 200
2. - 99 - King of Shaves - 160
3. - 88 - OSG - 120
4. - 90 - Kiton - 70
=5. - 64 - Fainplast - 50
=5. - 81 - Wettpunkt.com - 50
7. - 76 - Searex - 40
=8. - 57 - Limmi - 0
=8. - 59 - Way to Happiness - 0

Championship Standings - Evolution Class
1. - 99 - King of Shaves - 490
2. - 81 - Wettpunkt.com - 370
3. - 88 - OSG - 360
4. - 97 - Lucas Oil Outerlimits - 350
5. - 90 - Kiton - 200
6. - 76 - Searex - 120
7. - 64 - Fainplast - 80
8. - 57 - Limmi - 60
=9. - 59 - Way to Happiness - 0
=9. - 53 - Pignolo 53 - 0

http://www.powerboatp1.com