Powerboat P1 launches first ever Middle East event

This will see the 2008 World Championship embrace three continents, with Bahrain hosting the climax to the 14-race season from 23rd to 25th October.

Event partners, Marina West, Durrat Marina and InterContinental Regency Hotel, will join forces with Powerboat P1 to stage three days of world class racing at Durrat Marina, part of the new Durrat Al Bahrain development project in the south of the Kingdom.

The Bahrain Powerboat P1 Grand Prix is being run with the full support of Shaikh Mohammed bin Essa Al Khalifa and the Bahrain Economic Development Board, Shaikh Fawaz bin Mohammed Al Khalifa and the General Organisation for Youth and Sports and Shaikh Mohammed bin Duaij Al Khalifa and the Bahrain Maritime Sports Association.

Speaking at the launch of the Grand Prix at the InterContinental Regency Hotel, Managing Director of Powerboat P1, Jim O'Toole said, 'As the international appeal of Powerboat P1 continues to build, the evolution of the calendar is inevitable and we are happy to be able to announce such an eclectic mix of top class venues in three continents. More and more cities and resort destinations are prepared to invest in P1 to secure the long term rights to our dynamic sports and entertainment platform. They share our enthusiasm for the Championship and recognise the potential of its global reach and the impact of our event on the local economy.'

'We are breaking new ground within Europe with the inclusion of races in France and Spain whilst our visit to the Middle East signifies another new adventure for P1. This is an exciting development as we continue to establish P1's credentials beyond Europe, strongly supported by our teams, the manufacturers and the marine industry.'

'I am delighted to announce Bahrain as our venue for the Middle East race, and Durrat Marina as the host for the seventh and final event of the 2008 Powerboat P1 season. We are working hard to expand the Powerboat P1 Series into new territories and see the Middle East as a crucial development area for us. We are pleased that our event has found a home here in Bahrain and we look forward to working closely with Shaikh Mohammed and the Bahrain Maritime Sports Association in making this event a fitting end to our season.'

Shaikh Mohammed bin Duaij Al Khalifa said, 'We have been looking to attract a top class powerboat race to the Kingdom for some time and are delighted that Powerboat P1, the very top level of powerboat racing, has chosen to make Bahrain it's home in the Middle East. We hope to build on the success of the Formula 1 to really establish Bahrain as the home of all types of motorsport in the Middle East, both on land and on water. I'm sure the event will offer some spectacular racing and a thrilling occasion that all Bahraini residents will be able to enjoy.'

The host for the Grand Prix is Durrat Marina, and their representative Othman Janahi said, 'Durrat Marina, which is an integral part of the new Durrat Al Bahrain development is proud to be a partner of the Bahrain Powerboat P1 Grand Prix and delighted to be able to host the event in 2008. As we were developing the plans for Durrat Marina we realised that we needed to create an event that would really put the Marina on the map as the premier resort venue in the Middle East, we strongly believe that over the next few years this event will certainly help us achieve that. We look forward to working with Powerboat P1 to ensure that the Bahrain Powerboat P1 Grand Prix is a great success.'

Event Partner Marina West's Chief Executive Mahmood Janahi said, 'Marina West is delighted to support the Bahrain Powerboat P1 Grand Prix and we look forward to a thrilling and action packed weekend of powerboat racing. Marina West is an exciting and luxury waterfront development and we felt it was important to support an event that promotes Bahrain as a watersport venue; it fits neatly with our marketing strategy and is undoubtedly the leading Powerboat Racing Series in the world. We are sure that our involvement with this event will bring benefit to the Marina West development and certainly help to establish Bahrain on the world watersport map.'

The 2008 Powerboat P1 World Championship has been boosted by a record entry of 24 teams, providing the marine industry with a global marketing platform and spectators with a world class spectacle and experience. The opening event of the season will be the Italian Grand Prix of the Sea from 9th to 11th May at the Adriatic resort of San Benedetto del Tronto.