The Malta Powerboats Association, in collaboration with the St Paul’s Bay Local Council and the Royal Yachting Association (UK), is organising the first event of the 2011 Championship calendar this weekend under the title of Powerboat Festival.
Competing boats will be divided into three groups, namely 150hp-200hp, 225hp-250hp and the open class with boats in the 300hp-500hp range. There will also be a category for Cybers.
The Powerboat Festival is being staged in Buġibba with the Race Committee operating from the Buġibba jetty. On Saturday, the racing programme will be between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. while on Sunday, this will be from 9 a.m. till 6 p.m. The podium presentation will take place on Sunday evening at Angelo’s Lido.
Scrutinising of boats starts at 8 a.m. on Saturday. It will be followed by the signing-in, security and drivers’ briefing and a practice session.
On Saturday there will be two races, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, for each class. On Sunday the programme will also be made up of two races for each class.
Powerboat racing has proved a popular spectator sport every time such events are held in Maltese waters.
“We are pleased to collaborate in such a manifestation where the Buġibba promenade is expected to provide a grandstand overlooking the pit area and the race course,” Graziella Galea, the mayor of St Paul’s Bay, said.
Another attraction this weekend will be a display stand where spectators can view at close range the various types of racing boats. This stand will be located in the area between the Buġibba Boċċi Club and Angelo’s Lido.
Three Royal Yachting Association officials, John Puddifoot, the RYA president, Steve Oaten and Denise Monteith will be attending this weekend’s festival.
The event will see the participation of the most experienced drivers and co-drivers on the Maltese powerboat circuit.
Much of the focus will be on Aaron Ciantar, the P1 world champion who is also a training officer of the Malta Powerboat Association. In his role as training officer, Ciantar provides proficient training and skilled technical assistance to the new drivers who are always coming into the powerboat racing sport.
“The MPA has gone from strength to strength since it was set up in 2008,” Ciantar said.
“We have held races in various localities in Malta and on all occasions, the spectators were numerous. We expect a highly-contested weekend which should provide a fantastic spectacle.”