JEDDAH: The green and white of the Saudi Arabian International Formula (SAIF) formula 2000 powerboat team will be on the water mixing it with the world’s best tomorrow. The Jeddah round of the world championships features current world champion Colin Jelf competing in Saudi colors to mark the entry of the Kingdom into the sport and to introduce the team to the Saudi public.
The striking green and white boat will represent the Kingdom’s newly formed four-driver team and marks the beginning of the Team Jelf partnership in training the Saudi squad who will race representing the Kingdom in forthcoming seasons. Jenny Jelf, team manager, told Arab News that the squad will train, probably in the UK over the next few years, under the tutelage of both Colin and Owen Jelf for the driving. Jenny Jelf will handle the training in the formula 2000 regulations, driving and race rules and SAIF Team administration during that period.
“It’s a privilege to have our team selected for the training,” Jenny Jelf said. “We have the four drivers and we have to put them in the boats and see how they do. They all come from a background of involvement with water sports of various sorts and that is a good start.” She added that the introduction of new teams into the sport ensured its continuity and was delighted at the possibilities of bringing the Saudi team onto the world stage.
The formation of the Saudi team follows on the considerable success and resultant interest in the sport generated by the event when it was staged on Obhur Creek in 2007.
In all, 14 countries will be represented in the event including Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Hungary, Kuwait, Latvia, Norway, Spain, Portugal, Sweden and United Kingdom.
“For about five of the teams, this is their first time in Saudi Arabia,” said Lex Akehurst who is responsible for the event’s promotion and media relations. “The rest are delighted to be here after the wonderful reception they got last year and the terrific crowds who turned out to see the event.”
Over 250 team members and support crew flew into Jeddah during the week including the Jelf family privateer team that includes brothers Colin — currently first in the world standings and Owen at No. 3 separated only by the formidable Swedish driver Jonas Andersson.
Colin Jelf is the man to beat in this year’s round of championship races; already world champion in 2006 and 2007 and confirmed as 2008 Continental champion, he is just one point clear of Andersson and determined to keep that lead in the chase for a hat trick of world titles in his SAIF boat.
For the most part, the journey of the boats to the Kingdom was smooth enough. However, the power boats are each built on a similar design but customized to their team’s requirements. As each powerboat is unique, there is no defining paperwork for the machines. One competitor noted that when his craft was inspected by a Saudi customs official there was no category that the powerboat fitted neatly into. The officer concerned even considered ‘aircraft’ as a possibility — ultra high speed hydroplane simply did not exist as a category.
However, all was happily resolved and the craft was admitted without further ado.
The official program of activities for the F2 World Cup races will begin on today. Time trials for race qualification will begin at midday followed by speed records and match races in the afternoon at 3:30 p.m. Tomorrow is race day and the final F2000 rounds begin at 4 p.m.
