Defending world champions Nader Bin Hendi and Arif Al Zafeen will put their 100% winning streak on the line this weekend as they chase a hat-trick of season-win-doubles in Uddevalla at the Class 1 Swedish Grand Prix.
Fresh from two wins in both Brazil and Norway, the Fazza 3 crew seem unbeatable but Bin Hendi is well aware that this weekend's two races – the first staged in this small town in the west of Sweden – is yet another test of a team that continues to rewrite the racing record books.
"Of course things have gone very well for us so far this season but race wins are not achieved without total effort and commitment both in and out of the boat," said the world's number one throttleman. "If we let up in our preparations for even one day, we know there are teams out there who will be more than happy to take advantage."
While there is no change in the professional attitude of the world champions, there is plenty of movement elsewhere with new teams and drivers coming to the fore for a race that will take place in the heartland of Bohuslan, one of Sweden's most popular summer destinations.
Fazza 1, the boat currently holding second in the championship behind Fazza 3, has now been re-branded Skydive Dubai 1 and will see regular driver Abdullah Al Mehairbi join forces with Talib El Sayed, while the boat that ran in the previous round in Norway as Spirit of Dubai will run for the rest of the season as Abu Dhabi Team 5.
Fazza 2
With two podium finishes in Norway, there is no doubting the quality of the Victory Team-built boat and Abu Dhabi Team will expect at least a top three finish for their UAE/Italian pairing of Rashed Al Tayer and throttleman Giovanni Carpitella.
For Talib El Sayed, it is a welcome return to the Class 1 scene and the 43 year-old throttleman is in good company alongside the reigning world champions in Fazza 3 as well as two-time world champion Mohammed Al Marri who has handed his seat to El Sayed for the Swedish races.
El Sayed made his Class 1 debut alongside long-time friend Nadir Bin
Hendi at the Scandinavian Grand Prix in 2007, following a full season as Victory Team's reserve driver.
He started his career participating in the wooden powerboat ranks in
1993, while two years later he earned himself the role as a Victory Team
reserve driver in the Class II Championship. In 2005 and 2006, he also raced on the Class 3 circuit.
The Swedish Grand Prix weekend kicks-off with first practice today (Friday) followed by the Class 1 Aspen Speed Run. Second practice tomorrow morning (Saturday) is immediately followed by qualifying in the Edox Pole Position and Race 1, 53.87Nm - 13 laps, including one long lap.
A final practice session on Sunday morning is followed in the afternoon by Race 2, 66.45Nm - 16 laps, including two long laps.
