From 14 to 16 October 2011 Cernobbio was the place to be for the UIM Class 1 World Powerboat Championship Italian Grand Prix. A remarkable appearance was made by Belgian 2B1 Racing team throttle man Frank Hemelaer. Together with fellow countryman Pierre Colpin, they lead the Ocean Grand Prix World Championship 2011.
Frank makes his debut in the Class 1 championship alongside Luca Nicolini in FA.RO. On Saturday they finished in a very credible fifth place for Team D’Alessio-Scam on their season-entry into the Championship. Sunday 16 October, saw Italians Luca Formilli Fendi and Giovanni Carpitella crash out. The race was then red flagged and bringing out the pace boat after Fendi Racing’s day ended in dramatic fashion, hooking and then rolling on lap seven, both Fendi and Carpitella emerging from the escape hatch in the upturned hull unhurt. For the tens-of-thousands of Italian powerboating fans who crammed into Cernobbio and lined the shores of Lake Como, the disappointment of seeing Fendi Racing’s exit soon changed when Poliform’s Guido Cappellini who considers the lake to be his and Giampaolo Montavoci emerged after the restart in second place followed by Spirit of Qatar 96, Welmax and Spirit of Qatar 95 both the Qatar outfits seeing their European title hopes fading fast. FA.RO. ACCIAI completed a more than satisfactory weekend on the team’s entry into the Championship, with the new partnership of Frank Hemelaer and Luca Nicolini again finishing well up in the points in fifth place.
Powerboating.be would like to congratulate Frank Hemelaer on his excellent performance!
