There’s all to race for when the second round of the 2015 UIM XCAT World Series gets underway at DIMC – Mina Seyahi in Dubai this weekend.
After a dramatic first round in Fujairah, which was delayed by a day due to dangerously high winds and rough seas, Team Abu Dhabi (Rashed Al Tayer and Faleh Al Mansoori) are the current Series leaders with a total of 36 points.
Just six points behind them is the Italian duo of Tomaso Polli and Matteo Nicolini in Hoorsenbuhs, while another of the new additions to the Series, Swecat Racing (Erik Stark and Mikael Bengtsson), currently occupy third spot with 28 points.
Last year’s champions Fazza (Arif Al Zaffain and Nadir Bin Hendi), who made a clean sweep of all the 2014 races, are languishing in eighth spot after their engine caught fire during the Fujairah race and they were forced to retire.
Their seven points were earned by their victory in the Dubai Duty Free Speed Cat Run (which for the first time this year counts towards the overall Series points total).
They’ll certainly be looking to return to that familiar top step of the podium in Dubai.
“With the fantastic race we had in Fujairah last month, the UIM XCAT World Series is perfectly poised as we go into the second round here in Dubai,” said Dr Khalid Al Zahed, Vice President of the World Professional Powerboat Association (WPPA) – organisers and promoters of the Series.
“We have several new teams in the Series this year and two of them – Abu Dhabi and Swecat – have already proved that they are real contenders by toughing out some spectacular conditions and finishing overall top three in Fujairah,” he added.
“Dubai promises to produce an epic battle as the defending champions look to regain their dominance while the new teams will be aiming to stand their ground, with the other teams also constantly challenging for those all-important Series points.”
The action gets underway at DIMC on Thursday, 19 March with the first Official Practice.
The race for Pole Position and the thrilling head-to-head Dubai Duty Free Speed Cat Run will take place on Friday, 20 March while the main event, the Dubai GP, will kick off on the afternoon of Saturday, 21 March.
Entry to the general public areas at DIMC is free of charge as families can venture down to catch all the action from the jetty with plenty of other exciting activities on offer for all ages.
