With a few hours to go for the start of the Italian Grand Prix of the Sea, the opening event of the 2008 Powerboat P1 UIM World Championship today at San Benedetto del Tronto on the Adriatic coast, KBL Powerboat Management Ltd, organisers of these worlds, have announced the final line-ups of the two categories.

SuperSport Category (nine teams): VoomVoom.com; Ocean Dragon Racing; Team Sunseeker; Al & Al; Baia High Performance OSG; Racing Project; The Spirit of Portomaso; Bullet Racing; Offshore Rana's Team.

There will also be three local wild cards in this category for this event. These are Team Tullio Abbate, Team Ortm and Team Club Italia Offshore Race.

Evolution Category (10 teams): CRTE Cigarette Racing Team Europe; Skater Racing Team; Centaurian Yachts; Metamarine Corse - Veneta Marina Racing; Searex Racing Team; Team Fountain Worldwide; Team Witty; Project 1022; Nigel Hook Racing; Inrizzardi Racing Team.

French Team (Eric Brotons) will be the only wild card in this category.

The weekend programme starts this morning with a special pilots' breakfast being hosted by Asif Rangoonwala, chairman of KBL Powerboat Management Ltd. Official testing will take place this afternoon and the actual racing will be held tomorrow and Sunday.

Past Winners (2003-2007)

Evolution Class
2003 Rizzardi (69) Italy - F&B/Seatek (engine)
2004 Thuraya (76) Italy - CUV/Lamborghini
2005 Wettpunkt.com (81) Austria - F&B/Seatek
2006 OSG Donzi (88) Italy - Donzi/Sterling Performance
2007 King of Shaves (99) UK - Fountain Powerboats/llmor Marine Engines

Supersport Class
2003 Credit Securing (57) Italy - Bruzzes/Mercury
2004 Fainplast (41) Italy - Metamarine/Seatek
2005 ARPRO Racing (55) UK - Dragon/Mercury Marine
2007 Roscioli Hotels Roma (44) Italy - Chaudron/Mercruiser 525efi.