Saudi Arabia to Host World Powerboat Championship in 2004
The International Offshore Team Association (I.O.T.A.) today announced that it has entered into an agreement with FAMA Holdings, a Saudi Arabian conglomerate led by its Chairman, His Highness Prince Faisal Bin F.A.M.A. Al-Saud, to bring the Superfund Class 1 World Powerboat Championship to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 2004.
The agreement was signed at a press conference held on Sunday, 10 August at the Color Line Scandinavian Grand Prix in Oslo, where an estimated 500,000 spectators turned out to see home favourite Spirit of Norway, driven by Norway's Bjorn Rune Gjelsten and Great Britain's Steve Curtis, clinch the Class 1 European Championship, and extend their overall lead in this season's Championship standings.
FAMA Holdings also signed an agreement with Nicolo San Germano, promoter of the F1 Powerboat World Championship, to bring the Formula 1 powerboats to Saudi Arabia. These agreements are part of a broader effort by His Highness Prince Faisal Bin F.A.M.A. Al-Saud to bring world class sporting and entertainment events to Saudi Arabia. 'We have been looking at the possibilities of bringing powerboat racing to our country for the last year,' said His Highness Prince Faisal Bin F.A.M.A. Al-Saud. 'It was an honour to visit Oslo, and a most amazing experience to watch the race. We have many venues that might be suitable for Class 1, including Jeddah and the Sunset Beach resort, but we will decide after looking at our options more closely.'
Attending the signing in Oslo, I.O.T.A. President Edoardo Polli said, 'It is important for the sport to expand by adding new venues, and at the same time broaden its geographic boundaries. To be invited to race in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is an honour for Class 1, and a fantastic opportunity for the sport. I speak not only for myself but for all the Class 1 racing teams when I say how extremely excited we are at the prospect of racing there.'
This will not be the only involvement for Saudi Arabia in powerboat racing, as Saudi Arabia’s Laith Pharaon is one of the most accomplished powerboat racers in the world, having won the Class 1 World Powerboat Championship in 1997. He now races in the F1 Powerboat World Championship with Team Green, and placed second in the 2002 Championship.
Information regarding the timing and the host venue for the first Class 1 Grand Prix to be held in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will be announced in the coming months.
Ms. Banu Tekin, Communications Manager
Superfund Class 1 World Powerboat Championship
1.11 Harbour Yard, Chelsea Harbour
London SW10 0XD
Tel: +44 207 349 7623
Fax: +44 207 351 5544
E-mail: banu@class-1.com
The agreement was signed at a press conference held on Sunday, 10 August at the Color Line Scandinavian Grand Prix in Oslo, where an estimated 500,000 spectators turned out to see home favourite Spirit of Norway, driven by Norway's Bjorn Rune Gjelsten and Great Britain's Steve Curtis, clinch the Class 1 European Championship, and extend their overall lead in this season's Championship standings.
FAMA Holdings also signed an agreement with Nicolo San Germano, promoter of the F1 Powerboat World Championship, to bring the Formula 1 powerboats to Saudi Arabia. These agreements are part of a broader effort by His Highness Prince Faisal Bin F.A.M.A. Al-Saud to bring world class sporting and entertainment events to Saudi Arabia. 'We have been looking at the possibilities of bringing powerboat racing to our country for the last year,' said His Highness Prince Faisal Bin F.A.M.A. Al-Saud. 'It was an honour to visit Oslo, and a most amazing experience to watch the race. We have many venues that might be suitable for Class 1, including Jeddah and the Sunset Beach resort, but we will decide after looking at our options more closely.'
Attending the signing in Oslo, I.O.T.A. President Edoardo Polli said, 'It is important for the sport to expand by adding new venues, and at the same time broaden its geographic boundaries. To be invited to race in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is an honour for Class 1, and a fantastic opportunity for the sport. I speak not only for myself but for all the Class 1 racing teams when I say how extremely excited we are at the prospect of racing there.'
This will not be the only involvement for Saudi Arabia in powerboat racing, as Saudi Arabia’s Laith Pharaon is one of the most accomplished powerboat racers in the world, having won the Class 1 World Powerboat Championship in 1997. He now races in the F1 Powerboat World Championship with Team Green, and placed second in the 2002 Championship.
Information regarding the timing and the host venue for the first Class 1 Grand Prix to be held in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will be announced in the coming months.
Ms. Banu Tekin, Communications Manager
Superfund Class 1 World Powerboat Championship
1.11 Harbour Yard, Chelsea Harbour
London SW10 0XD
Tel: +44 207 349 7623
Fax: +44 207 351 5544
E-mail: banu@class-1.com