Team Abu Dhabi’s Rashed Al Tayer and Faleh Al Mansoori will look to boost their title challenge in the UIM XCAT World Series on Thursday after a frustrating day in the build-up to Friday’s season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Al Tayer and Al Mansoori, who head into final round of the series just a point behind XDubai’s defending champions Arif Saif Al Zafeen and Nadir bin Hendi, were unable to take part in the Abu Dhabi Match Race, staged to mark National Sports Day, because of engine problems in Abu Dhabi 5.
“Our left engine developed an electrical problem and the mechanics will work on it overnight to get the boat ready,” said Al Tayer. “It was disappointing to miss the match race but we still expect to be able to fight for the championship, and hopefully win it.”
Aiming to secure a second world powerboat title for Abu Dhabi International Marine Sports Club in the space of three weeks, Al Tayer and Al Mansoori will be looking to earn vital bonus points in the Thursday afternoon Dubai Duty Speed Cat Run, a dramatic head-to-head shoot-out over a 1km course between the Abu Dhabi Corniche and Breakwater.
Twelve of the 15 boats were permitted on to the racecourse for official practice on Thursday and the Italian T-Bone Station crew of Giovanni Carpitella and Darren Nicholson topped the lap times, despite windy and cloudy conditions and drizzle persisting throughout the one-hour stint.
Majed Al Mansoori and Rashed Al Qemzi in Abu Dhabi 4 ran for four laps and were classified in fifth position behind T-Bone Station, Lady Spain, Dubai and Yachts.
Timetable of events – Thursday, November 26
11-12.30pm: XCAT Pole Position
2.45-3.25pm: Water show
3.30-4.30pm: Dubai Duty Free Speed Cat Run
Follow us on Twitter @NatSportUAE
