UIM F1 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
Grand Prix of China, round 4
October 4-5th, 2006
For immediate release
Sunday, October 1st, 2006
QATAR F1 TEAM ARRIVES IN CHINA
FOR THURSDAY?S GRAND PRIX
Roggiero and Price aiming for the podium in Chengdu;
World Champion Cappellini and rival Gillman set for clash
CHENGDU (China): The Qatar F1 Team has arrived in China for this week?s Grand Prix of China, round three of the UIM F1 World Championship, as one of the form teams competing in the six-round series. The actual race will take place on a tricky course near a dam on the Wenjing river in Chengdu (Chongzhou) on Thursday. October 5th.
Team drivers Massimo Roggiero and Jay Price have taken part in two of the three races held so far this season and proved at the most recent event on Lake Como in Italy that they have the pace and the experience to match the Drivers? Championship leader and defending World Champion Guido Cappellini and his nearest rivals Thani Al-Qamzi, from the UAE, and Californian Scott Gillman.
Despite missing the opening race in Qatar ? where Italy?s Ivan Brigada emerged victorious against the odds ? Roggiero and Price lie eighth and 13th overall in the Drivers? Championship and their performances in Italy amassed 17 Team Championship points and have propelled the Qatar Team into fifth place in the Team competition, albeit some way behind the leading Emirates F1 team and the rival Tamoil F1 operation.
Roggiero holds sixth place in the Pole competition, a mere eight points behind the leading Finn Sami Selio, but both Roggiero and Price proved in Italy that they have the pace to win the Shoot Out on the river in China.
?We are well prepared and looking forward to the challenge,? said Mohammed Al-Jaidah, QMSF Team Director and Head of Formula Racing. ?Jay and Massimo are on top of their game at the moment and we are confident that we can make the podium in China. There should be a fantastic atmosphere for the race, with many spectators sure to attend.?
Chengdu is the largest city in the Sichuan Province of the People?s Republic of China and one of the most progressive cities in what is rapidly becoming the fastest growing economy in the world. The GP of China?s race timetable gets underway on Tuesday afternoon (October 3rd) with driver registration, technical scrutineering and an opportunity for the media to be taken around the course in purpose-built two-seater race craft.
After a short briefing on Wednesday morning, teams will be permitted to carry out a one-hour free practice, before the first set of time trials begin at 13.00 hrs (Chinese local time). The second set of time trials begin at 14.45 hrs and the Shoot out for the fastest six drivers of the day will start at 16.00 hrs.
Grand Prix race day on Wednesday gets underway with a chance for sponsors to take to the water in two-seater race boats, before the Qatar Team will be able to make use of a final 45-minute free practice session. After a parade lap, the 5th Grand Prix of China gets underway at 14.30 hrs.
UIM F1 World Championship
Drivers Championship ? after round 3
1. Guido Cappellini (I) 40 pts
2. Thani Al-Qamzi (UAE) 31 pts
3. Scott Gillman (USA) 30 pts
4. Ivan Brigada (I) 20 pts
5. Fabio Comparato (I) 13 pts
6. Philippe Dessertenne (F) 12 pts
7. Bob Trask (AUS) 12 pts
8. Massimo Roggiero (I) 12 pts
13. Jay Price (USA) 5 pts
Teams? Championship ? after round 3
1. Emirates F1 61 pts
2. Tamoil F1 60 pts
3. XPV Racing 21 pts
4. Team Charente Maritime 18 pts
5. Qatar Team 17 pts
Pole Championship ? after round 3
1. Sami Selio (FIN) 32 pts
2. Scott Gillman (USA) 32 pts
3. Thani Al-Qamzi (UAE) 31 pts
4. Guido Cappellini (I) 29 pts
5. Ivan Brigada (I) 25 pts
6. Massimo Roggiero 24 pts
Ends
For further information:
Neil Perkins, NDP Publicity Services, Mobile: + 44 7831 123153, E-mail: ndppublicity@compuserve.com. www.ndp-publicity.com (press releases).
www.f1boat.com
www.qmsf.org