Class 1 Brazilian Grand Prix- Fazza 3 fastest time in opening practice

by Class 1 News on 27 Mar 2010 The first official practice session of the 2010 UIM Class 1 World Powerboat Championship, ahead of this weekend’s Brazilian Grand Prix, saw reigning World Champions Fazza 3 carry on where they left off last season, producing a set of stunning laps. The all-Norwegian crew of Tandberg and Selmer in Welmax went second fastest, with Fazza 1’s Al Marri and Al Mehairbi going third quickest.

Double World Champions Arif Al Zafeen and Nadir Bin Hendi carried last season’s form into today’s practice session, laying down the gauntlet for all their rivals and proving they are still the team to beat. Their time of 2mins and 40secs was more than enough for Fazza 3 to demonstrate its superiority as the quickest outfit on the course.

Despite being the last of six boats to take to the water today, Welmax’s Jorn Tandberg and Kolbjorn Selmer wasted no time in getting into their stride, setting the second quickest time, 2mins 46.82secs, of the session. Although only posting two lap-times the Norwegians looked quick and will be looking to push Fazza 3 all the way in both races this weekend.

Mohammed Al Marri and Abdullah Al Mehairbi, Fazza 1, were just over ten seconds behind their imperious teammates. The pairing, who came together in Romania last year, improved their times as the session progressed and will be relatively happy with their first outing of the new season, with their final lap of 2mins 50.15secs moving them into third place in the rankings.

Team Abu Dhabi, piloted by Class 1 debutant, Rashed Al Tayer, and Nicola Giorgi, were the first out onto the water, with the new pairing putting together six solid consecutive laps, finishing fourth fastest with a best time of 2mins 53.04secs. There was frustration, however, on their seventh lap, as a thrown propeller brought their session to a premature end.

Duemme - Foresti & Suardi, piloted by 90-race veteran Giampaolo Montavoci and Guido Cappellini, also went out early, completing five timed laps, with the new partnership improving their times lap-by-lap. A propeller and gear change helped as the all-Italian pair were able to post a 2mins 56.37secs lap to take over 12 seconds off their first lap-time.

Another of this season’s new pairings, Fabio Magnani and Marco Pennesi in Foresti & Suardi - SCAM put together six laps, with the new partnership finishing the session strongly after adjusting gear ratios and changing propellers for their final stint. Their 3mins 5.71secs sees them remain within touching distance of their teammates.

The newest boat of the fleet, Welmax Alianza, remained on the trailer, with Giorgio Manuzzi and Marit Strømøy enduring a frustrating day as the crew worked frantically to get the boat ready for qualifying.

The stage is now set for tomorrow’s qualifying in the Edox Pole Position and Race 1 of the Brazilian Grand Prix, which takes place on the magnificent Guanabara Bay, in the shadow of Sugar Loaf Mountain in Rio De Janeiro, to kick start the 2010 UIM Class 1 World Powerboat Championship season.

Brazilian Grand Prix – Official Practice
1. Fazza 3 - A Al Zafeen (UAE) / N Bin Hendi (UAE) - 02.40,00
2. Welmax - K Selmer (NOR) / J Tandberg (NOR) - 02.46,82
3. Fazza 1 - A Al Mehairbi (UAE) / M Al Marri (UAE) - 02.50,15
4. Team Abu Dhabi - R Al Tayer (UAE) / N Giorgi (ITA) - 02.53,04
5. Duemme - Foresti & Suardi - G Cappellini (ITA) / G Montavoci (ITA) - 02.56,37
6. Foresti & Suardi - SCAM - F Magnani (ITA) / M Pennesi (ITA) - 03.05,71
7. Welmax Alianza - G Manuzzi (SMR) / M Strømøy (NOR) - DNS

www.class-1.com