Perfect conditions added to a thrilling race, which took Delma Marine to a second victory in as many heats of the Dubai Wooden Powerboat Championships at Dubai International Marine Club today. Close racing between the top three boats put Ahmed Ali Jabir Hamli and Ahmed Humaid Bin Thaiban in Delma Marine first, with Extreme Marine eight seconds behind driven by Salim Fadhel Al Hamli and Ahmed Mohd. Hassan Al Suwaidi and Al Fajr Marine a close third place driven by Khalifa Humaid Bin Thaiban and Ahmed Humaid Bin Thaiban.
‘It was close and we had to push really hard to keep our lead,’ said Delma Marines Ahmed Ali Jabir Hamli. ‘The new rules are working well, the course length is better and the turns make the race not just about speed but more about technique as well. I know the next round will be tough in Abu Dhabi.’
The top three boats took an early and convincing lead as they stretched away from the rest of the fleet widening the gap on each lap and finishing almost half a lap in front of Al Haj Group, who came fourth driven by Hassan Ali Al Shamsi and Khalid Saif Al Shamsi. For the next places there was a fierce battle between Al Noubi Racing, Al Malek and Raheeb 1 with a dash at the end where Raheeb 1 scooped fifth, Al Malek sixth and Al Noubi Racing had to settle for seventh.
Organisiers were pleased that the race went so smoothly after the first heat was stopped briefly on the second lap, as there was a man over board. ‘We’ve softened the turns by making them wider and shortened the straight sections of the course to control the speed,’ said Sid Bensalah, General Secretary, WPPA. ‘The nature of the new course also means that rescue cover is deployed more efficiently,’ he added.
The next heat is in Abu Dhabi on April 25th and will be organized by the WPPA in conjunction with the Abu Dhabi International Marine Sailing Club.
Provisional Results:
- 1st Delma Marine, Ahmed Ali Al Hamli & Ahmed Ateeq Al Qumzi
- 2nd Extreme Marine, Salim Fadhel Al Hamli & Ahmed Mohd. Hassan Al Suwaidi
- 3rd Al Fajar Marine, Khalif Humaid Bin Thaiban & Ahmed Humaid Bin Thaiban
- 4th Al Haj Group, Hassan Ali Al Shamsi & Khalid Saif Al Shamsi
- 5th Al Malek, Ali Ahmed Al Sabouri & Amir Ahmed Al Sabouri
