Brighton will host Britain’s first ever Powerboat P1 World Championship Grand Prix in July 2004. 16 high performance powerboats will compete in an Endurance race over 80 miles, and a Rally race over 50 miles on Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th July. With the race course in viewing distance from the shore and the powerboats reaching speeds of 150kmh, it promises to be a dramatic spectacle for the public, who can enjoy the event for free along the length of Marine Parade and the seafront. The British Grand Prix will be the third race in a calendar featuring six Grand Prix held in Italy, Spain, Malta and Tunisia.
The 16 teams that are entered into 2004 Powerboat P1 World Championship will race in two categories, Evolution Class for prototype boats and SuperSport Class for production boats. Evolution winners of the British Grand Prix will receive the Britannia Trophy, originally donated in 1931 by the Prince of Wales to Sussex Motor Yacht Club. Supersport category winners will receive the Vanderbilt Trophy, also presented by SYMC.
Racing Team Rizzardi returns to Powerboat P1 World Championship with high hopes of maintaining their status as World Champions in the Evolution Category, but will face stiff competition from the O.S.G Donzi and Cantieri Del Meditteraneo teams. Ceramica Flaminia return to defend their championship title amid an influx of new teams into the SuperSport category, with UK fans hoping for a home victory by one of the three expected British entries.
Nathan Knight, Managing Director, Powerboat P1 World Championship, said: ‘The British Grand Prix at Brighton will be a highlight of the season. The enthusiasm with which we’ve been received in Brighton and the facilities available will ensure a spectacular event. Our drivers and teams greatly look forward to racing in the UK and testing their skills in the English Channel.
Adam Bates, Head of Tourism, Brighton and Hove City Council said: ‘We are a city that has a great deal of success hosting international events, and are delighted that Powerboat P1 are planning their first British Grand Prix in Brighton and Hove. It is fantastic that residents and visitors will have another free event to enjoy on the city seafront, and we hope the Grand Prix will become a regular fixture on the events calendar.’
For further information on Powerboat P1 World Championships, contact Jane Rackham at RDA Communications on 020 7376 3292 or jane@rda.tv