2007 UIM F1 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
Grand Prix of Qatar 1, Doha – November 22nd-24th, round 5 of 8
Grand Prix of Qatar 2, Doha – November 25th-27th, round 6 of 8
For immediate release
Monday, November 19th, 2007
QATAR PREPARES TO HOST TWO BACK-TO-BACK
FORMULA ONE POWERBOAT RACES IN DOHA BAY
Qatar Marine Sports Federation (QMSF) faces hectic week of F1 racing
Sheikh Hassan extends warm welcome to members of UIM F1 racing field
DOHA (Qatar): Qatar will be gripped by Formula One powerboat racing fever over the coming days when the finest single-seater racers in the UIM F1 World Championship arrive in Doha for a pair of back-to-back races that will constitute the fifth and sixth rounds of this year’s thrilling championship.
The series has already visited Portimao in Portugal, La Rochelle in western France and Xi’an and Shenzhen in China, before the circuit arrives in the Middle East for the two Doha races and the remaining two events in the calendar in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah in December.
The two Qatar Grand Prix will take place on Saturday, November 24th and Tuesday, November 27th, with Pole Position qualifying for the races taking place on Friday, November 23rd and Monday, November 26th, respectively.
As soon as the WPPA Class One World Powerboat Championship race had reached a dramatic conclusion in Doha Bay on Saturday afternoon, officials at the Qatar Marine Sports Federation (QMSF) switched their attention to setting up a new racing facility on the Corniche between the Sheraton Hotel and the original Class One pit.
Under the presidency of His Excellency Sheikh Hassan bin Jabor Al-Thani and Mohammed Al-Jaidah, head of formula racing at the QMSF, a new course has been devised to cater for the requirements of the high-speed F1 racing scene.
This challenging five-pin circuit will be located adjacent to the Corniche, near to the VIP area used at the Class One race meeting. QMSF officials have been setting up the pit area, media and officials’ offices and hospitality area over the last two days, as teams from as far afield as the USA, Australia, China, Finland, Sweden and the UK arrive in Qatar.
“I would like to extend a warn welcome to Doha to all members of the UIM Formula One racing fraternity and hope that they enjoy a safe and successful week of racing in Doha Bay,” said His Excellency Sheikh Hassan bin Jabor Al-Thani, President of the Qatar Marine Sports Federation.
“Our team will be working around the clock to ensure that everything runs smoothly for the two races and to make sure that we provide the best facilities for officials, team crews and members of the international written and television media.”
Timetable of events for Grand Prix of Qatar 1
Friday, November 23rd
10.30-11.30 Free practice on race course
13.00-13.45 First time trials
14.45-15.30 Second time trials
16.00-16.30 F1 Powerboat Shoot-out – Pole Position
Saturday, November 24th
11.30-12.15 Free practice on race course
15.15-15.30 Opening parade lap
15.30-17.00 Qatar Grand Prix 1
Timetable of events for Grand Prix of Qatar 2
Monday, November 26th
10.30-11.30 Free practice on race course
13.00-13.45 First time trials
14.45-15.30 Second time trials
16.00-16.30 F1 Powerboat Shoot-out – Pole Position
Tuesday, November 27th
11.30-12.15 Free practice on race course
15.15-15.30 Opening parade lap
15.30-17.00 Qatar Grand Prix 2
Ends
For further information:
Neil Perkins, NDP Publicity Services, Mobile: + 44 7831 123153, E-mail: ndppublicity@compuserve.com. www.ndp-publicity.com (press releases).