The 2015 UIM XCAT World Series heads for a tense finale in Abu Dhabi next weekend after the championship was thrown wide open after a dramatic Dubai Grand Prix on Saturday.
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Rashid Al Tayer and Faleh Al Mansoori, who are trying to give Team Abu Dhabi a second world powerboat crown inside a month, finished third to move within a single point of XDubai’s Arif Al Zafeen and Nadir Bin Hendi who were among seven casualties on the day.
The two UAE crews now face a thrilling showdown in next Friday’s final round at Abu Dhabi International Marine Sports Club, while Matteo Nicolini and Tomaso Polli in Six also head for the UAE capital with a mathematical chance of being crowned world champions.
The #XCAT 2015 Series: Overall Standings. We’re in for an exciting finish at #XCATAbuDhabi next week. #XCATDubai pic.twitter.com/tZBw8a7WAm
— XCATracing (@XCATracing) November 21, 2015
Strong winds led to some spectacular offshore powerboat action, the Videx crew of Joakim Kumlin and Alfredo Amato mastered the conditions to score an impressive Dubai Grand Prix win from T-Bone Station’s Giovanni Carpitella and Luca Fendi in second place.
Third-placed Team Abu Dhabi 5 made a brilliant early surge into the lead but were left frustrated by engine problems. But Al Tayer and Al Mansoori still hope to emulate team-mates John Tomlinson and Gary Ballough who captured the UIM Class 1 world title this month.
“We would love to win the world title in Abu Dhabi and we have every chance,” said Al Tayer. “Conditions were difficult and we tried to push but we were losing power. In the end we’re happy to finish third.”
