2010 Oryx Cup UIM World Championship
Doha Bay, Qatar – November 18th-20th, 2010
For immediate release
Wednesday, November 17th, 2010
ORYX CUP SET TO GET UNDERWAY ON THURSDAY IN DOHA BAY
· U-96 Spirit of Qatar Team makes final preparations for Oryx Cup
DOHA (Qatar): The Oryx Cup UIM World Championship, the final round of the 2010 H1 Unlimited Championship, fires into life in Doha Bay on Thursday morning.
Using 10 of the world’s fastest boats, some of the most talented racers on the water will begin their preparations for Saturday’s Oryx Cup by taking part in testing and qualifying for two days’ of racing action on a revised two-mile course in Doha Bay, adjacent to the Sheraton.
Among those drivers keen to end his season in winning style is Dave Villwock, the pilot of the U-96 Spirit of Qatar hydroplane, who finds himself in a superb position to win the National High Points’ title for the first time since 2007 and take his first win in the Oryx Cup.
“Some of the staff flew into Doha from the States at the weekend, but we came in on Tuesday night,” enthused Villwock in the pit lane on Wednesday morning. “I am doing fine. The time difference works in your favour coming this way. When we landed we were ready for bed, so you don’t really get the effects of jetlag.”
Villwock’s team were working to prepare his Unlimited Hydroplane on Wednesday and Villwock is keen to make a good start on Thursday morning. “The water was nice and calm on Wednesday morning, but you never know what wind conditions lie in wait. I am so looking forward to the weekend’s racing. It promises to be a classic.”
The event is being staged with the full support of the Qatar Marine Sports Federation (QMSF), which is run under the presidency of His Excellency Sheikh Hassan bin Jabor Al-Thani, and H1 Unlimited, under the chairmanship of Sam Cole.
The eight race heats and the Oryx Cup World Championship take place on Friday and Saturday and will all be streamed live through the H1Unlimited.com website by Tampa Digital Studios, with the support of global shipping company Peters & May, the QMSF, 5 Axis Industries, Formula Boats, Clifty Engineering, Boneyard Grill in Madison, Schumacher Racing and Go Fast Turn Left Racing.
Not only is Villwock aiming to claim the Oryx Cup that eluded him so cruelly last season, but he is also hoping to snatch a 62nd race win, which would place him level with the late Bill Muncey as the most successful racer in Hydroplane racing history.
Drivers will attend a pre-water briefing meeting on Thursday morning, before teams are permitted to carry out a two and a half hour testing session on the water. Unlimited qualifying takes place between 13.00hrs and 16.00hrs (Doha time) and the draw for the first of Friday’s heats (1A and 1B) will take place at 16.15hrs.
Spectators are welcome throughout the race weekend and a food court, marine trade stands and a boat show will run in conjunction with the event.
Timetable of events – Thursday, November 18th
08.00-09.00 Pre-water drivers’ meeting
09.30-12.00 Unlimited testing
13.00-16.00 Unlimited qualifying
16.15 Podium for top three qualifiers and draw for heats 1A and 1B
16.30-18.00 Pit area open to VIPs and general public
National High Points’ standings – Drivers
1. Steve David U-1 Oh Boy! Oberto 7639 pts
2. Dave Villwock U-96 Spirit of Qatar 7453 pts
3. J. Michael Kelly U-7 Formulaboats.com 6347 pts
4. Jeff Bernard U-5 Formulaboats.com 4135 pts
5. Brian Perkins U-21 Go Fast, Turn Left 3949 pts
6. Greg Hopp U-100 Leland Unlimited 2940 pts
7. Mike Webster U-22 Webster Racing 2538 pts
8. Cal Phipps U-13 Spirit of Detroit 2246 pts
9. Jon Zimmerman U-37 Schumacher Racing 1970 pts
10. Nate Brown U-17 Our Gang Racing 1891 pts
11. Ken Muscatel U-25 Superior Racing 1533 pts
12. J.W. Myers U-37 Schumacher Racing 1380 pts
13. Mark Evans U-57 Formulaboats.com 972 pts
14. Kip Brown U-17 Our Gang Racing 920 pts
15. Jon Zimmerman U-25 Superior Racing 424 pts
Ends
For further information:
Neil Perkins, NDP Publicity Services, Mobile: + 44 7831 123153, E-mail: ndppublicity@googlemail.com and www.ndp-publicity.com (press releases).
Or
Steve Montgomery, H1 Unlimited Media Officer, Tel: + 1 206 618 8382, E-mail: Steve@H1Unlimited.com
www.qmsf.org
www.h1unlimited.com