The UIM Skydive Dubai XCAT World Series got a shot in the arm yesterday after Team Abu Dhabi announced it would do a full campaign in the championship from the next season.
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The announcement comes ahead of this weekend’s Emirates Airline XCAT Grand Prix, the final round of the series for 2014.
The team from the capital also confirmed that they would be doing a full season of the World Series from 2015.
In a related announcement, the World Professional Powerboating Association (WPPA) said it has granted Team Abu Dhabi two wildcards for the Emirates Airline Grand Prix, which will be held off the Dubai International Marine Club, Mina Seyahi.
Paired together in boat No4 are Ahmed Al Hameli and Scott Gillman while teaming up in the No5 boat are Rashid Al Tayer and Faleh Al Mansoori.
It is understood that the Abu Dhabi teams have been given the wildcards in order for them to get a feel of the boats and XCAT race environment.
Abu Dhabi International Marine Sports Club deputy general manager Salem Al Romaithi said: “This will be the Abu Dhabi club’s first experience of XCAT, but the drivers in both the boats are very experienced.
“Ahmed Al Hameli is famous in [UIM] F1 racing and Scott Gillman is a former F1 world champion.
“Both boats have very good drivers and we expect them to be on the podium on Friday and on Saturday. We have prepared them well and we are very happy to be racing in Dubai.”
WPPA president Dr Saif Al Ketbi added: “We are thrilled to welcome the Abu Dhabi boats to be part of this weekend.
“I believe their participation in the event – and the entire series next year – will make it even more exciting and competitive and I look forward to seeing them in action.”
The addition of the two Abu Dhabi boats brings the total number of entries for this weekend’s event to 15.
Meanwhile, despite dominating by winning every race so far this season, Arif Al Zaffain and Nadir bin Hendi of Fazza believe there is still room for improvement.
The duo have one more race to win this weekend, to complete a clean sweep of the season.
“Like always, we have done our homework. When the boats were not available for testing, we reviewed all the data obtained from the previous races and identified a few areas where we believe we can still improve,” said throttleman Bin Hendi.
And even though they are guaranteed the title, Al Zaffain and Bin Hendi are still motivated to win in Dubai.
“We are always happy and excited to retain the title but we always see room for improvement so we are always motivated,” said Al Zaffain.
“Being racers, we have to cope with all kinds of conditions. We like all conditions, especially Dubai. We always like to bring the best results on our home waters and we are pretty much confident of doing that.”
