2014 Oryx Cup UIM World Championship, Qatar
Doha Bay, Qatar – November 20-22, 2014
For immediate release
Wednesday, November 19th, 2014
SHANE AND KELLY GO HEAD-TO-HEAD FOR NATIONAL
HIGH POINTS TITLE AT QATAR’S ORYX CUP UIM RACE
· Jean Theoret aims for Oryx Cup win in 96 Spirit of Qatar turbine
· Oryx Cup gets underway on Thursday with testing and qualifying
DOHA (Qatar): The outcome of both the Oryx Cup UIM World Championship and the H1 Unlimited National High Points championship will be decided at this weekend’s Oryx Cup on Doha Bay.
The final round of the H1 Unlimited series has attracted 10 entrants from the United States for their annual pilgrimage out of North America to sample Qatari hospitality and one of the most demanding race courses in a calendar of events that has already taken them to esteemed races in Madison, Detroit, Tri-Cities, Seattle and San Diego.
Defending Oryx Cup champion Jimmy Shane arrives in Doha with a commanding 832-point lead in the race for the prestigious National High Points title.
After replacing Steve David – the new H1 Unlimited chairman – at the helm of the town of Madison’s very own 6 Oberto/Beef Jerky hydroplane, Shane has been the fastest racer of the season, but he knows that anything can happen in one of the most exciting marine sport disciplines in the world. “Our goal is to win the Oryx Cup and everything else will take care of itself,” said Shane confidently.
The Oberto team assessed the best set-up for the Doha heats and Oryx Cup after the Seattle Seafair, including working on the filters and additional equipment needed to see the boat through a saltwater race. Shane has three motors at his disposal in Qatar.
The Qatar Marine Sports Federation (QMSF), which is hosting the Oryx Cup, has joined forces with Ellstrom Racing and will be represented by Canadian racer Jean Theoret in 96 Spirit of Qatar. According to team manager Erick Ellstrom, Theoret – a six-time H1 race winner – will have two of the strongest motors available at his disposal for the Oryx Cup.
“We saw the best numbers we have ever seen on the dyno, so we know the motors will be strong,” enthused Ellstrom. “We also shipped spare fuel controls and four new propellers engineered especially for the course in Doha.”
J. Michael Kelly was the winner of the inaugural Oryx Cup in Qatar in 2009 and is back in the Ted Porter-owned boat that Shane used to seek out Oryx Cup glory in 2012 and 2013. “We are definitely here in Doha to make a run at the Oryx Cup and the Championship,” said Porter.
“We have sent all our best equipment, turbines, gearboxes and propellers. We need to pick up points quickly and narrow the gap right from qualifying on Thursday. J. Michael will need to win all his heats and we will also probably need to win the final to give us a chance.”
Porter’s Graham Trucking boats have won four of the five Oryx Cups and he has the added advantage of running a second hydroplane for the ever-improving Cal Phipps, who holds third in the National High Points standings. Phipps is well clear of Jon Zimmerman, who performed so impressively at the last Oryx Cup in Doha.
Former 96 Spirit of Qatar driver Dave Villwock returns to racing action in Qatar at the helm of 21 Miss Seattle, run by Schumacher Racing. The most successful racer in H1 history notched up one of his 67 H1 victories at the Oryx Cup in 2010 in front of a delighted Qatar crowd. Villwock could be a dark horse to spring a surprise this weekend.
Tomorrow (Thursday), teams will be permitted to carry out testing on the Doha Bay course before the all-important qualifying sessions take place during the afternoon. The draw for the first of Friday’s heats is scheduled for 16.15hrs. Spectators are welcome and there is plenty of viewing access along Doha Corniche.
H1 Unlimited National High Points – standings after round 5:
1. 6 Oberto/Miss Madison Jimmy Shane 7488 pts
2. 1 Graham Trucking J. Michael Kelly 6656 pts
3. 7 Graham Trucking II Cal Phipps 5736 pts
4. 9 Red Dot/Les Schwab Tires Jon Zimmerman 4357 pts
5. 21 Go Fast Turn Left Racing Nilsen/Liddycoat/Bernard 4047 pts
6. 22 Webster Racing Mike Webster 3261 pts
7. 11 Peters & May Tom Thompson 3101 pts
8. 96 Spirit of Qatar Kip Brown 1870 pts
9. 18 Bucket List Racing Kelly Stocklin 1248 pts
10. 100 Leland Unlimited Dave Warren 893 pts
11. 12 Miss DiJulio Greg Hopp 891 pts
12. 37 Schumacher Racing Dave Villwock 375 pts
13. 17 Our Gang Racing Jeff Bernard 209 pts
2014 Oryx Cup UIM World Championship – timetable of events
Thursday, November 20
08.00-09.00 Drivers’ meeting and briefings
09.30-12.00 Unlimited testing
13.00-16.00 Unlimited qualifying
16.15 Podium for top three qualifiers and heat draws
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, Tel: + 1 206 618 8382, E-mail: steve@h1unlimited.com.
www.qmsf.org
www.h1unlimited.com