Belgian outfit 2B1 currently lead the way in the UIM Ocean Grand Prix World Endurance Championship Evo Class having won the first battle of the season in Malta, but with Lucas Oil – led by throttle-man Nigel Hook (US) and Pilot Michael Silfverberg (Sweden) – and Searex Racing, of Germany, in hot pursuit, the war is far from over.

A three-way fight for honours is looming large in both classes with this weekend’s UIM Syracuse Ocean Grand Prix set to play a major role in deciding the destiny of the 2011 Championship.

Italian trio RG 87 Racing, Jolly Drive and Baia Attolini will cross swords again in the SuperSport section, determined to impress on home waves.

At present, just four points separate RG 87 – comprising Antonio Schiano di Cola, Giuseppe Schiano di Cola and Francesco Calo in Karelpiu – and Jolly Drive – with its Yanmar Marine engines providing 880hp – at the top of the table going into the weekend.

2B1 Pilot Pierre Colpin is anti-cipating a strong challenge from the chasing pack as the season progresses, but remains confident in the credentials of boat Furnibo – powered by twin 700hp Mercury Racing engines – and those of his team.

“We are really looking forward to the weekend,” he says.

“We expect a lot from Syracuse because it has proved to be a circuit that has suited us well over the years.

“Lucas Oil will be our main challengers but we are pushing our boat to its limit to take the OGP Championship home.

“Frank (Hemelaer, throttle-man) and I make a very good team out on the waves, so I’m sure we will be as strong as ever in Sicily.”

The Syracuse Ocean Grand Prix gets underway tomorrow with teams set to compete for pole position from 2.30 p.m.