Ben Mazur
08-15-2007, 07:47 AM
As reported by David Sewell of 'World of Powerboats'
P1 ATTEND OSLO CLASS 1 EVENT
The presence of Powerboat P1 'heavyweights' Asif Rangoonwala and Nathan Knight at the Oslo World Class 1 GP last weekend did not go unnoticed. It begs the question, were they there as offshore race fans or was there a hidden agenda. One must remember that the pair had tried to take control of Class 1 back in 2002 but we understand were rebuffed by Eduardo Polli, then head of IOTA, the team owner's association. Undaunted by that setback, they took over the ailing UIM Endurance Series in 2003 and renamed it Powerboat P1 and it now boasts an impressive field of 20 boats spread over two classes. We understand Mr Rangoonwala was invited by senior IOTA members to view this particular fixture. For Natham Knight it was the chance to revisit a series he had managed on behalf of the Norwegian owned OSP operation back in 2001.
Whether the World Professional Powerboat Association (WPPA) who now runs Class 1 is seeking to team up and work with the UIM Powerboat P1 is unclear and no statements were issued by either party. However Powerboat P1 has become a powerful force in a comparatively short space of time and is in the process of investing heavily in its infrastructure and marketing skills, something the WPPA might wish to become part of in the future.
We will watch to see if there are any developments with interest.
P1 ATTEND OSLO CLASS 1 EVENT
The presence of Powerboat P1 'heavyweights' Asif Rangoonwala and Nathan Knight at the Oslo World Class 1 GP last weekend did not go unnoticed. It begs the question, were they there as offshore race fans or was there a hidden agenda. One must remember that the pair had tried to take control of Class 1 back in 2002 but we understand were rebuffed by Eduardo Polli, then head of IOTA, the team owner's association. Undaunted by that setback, they took over the ailing UIM Endurance Series in 2003 and renamed it Powerboat P1 and it now boasts an impressive field of 20 boats spread over two classes. We understand Mr Rangoonwala was invited by senior IOTA members to view this particular fixture. For Natham Knight it was the chance to revisit a series he had managed on behalf of the Norwegian owned OSP operation back in 2001.
Whether the World Professional Powerboat Association (WPPA) who now runs Class 1 is seeking to team up and work with the UIM Powerboat P1 is unclear and no statements were issued by either party. However Powerboat P1 has become a powerful force in a comparatively short space of time and is in the process of investing heavily in its infrastructure and marketing skills, something the WPPA might wish to become part of in the future.
We will watch to see if there are any developments with interest.