29 January 2014, Dubai – As the 15 teams completed the first round of the UIM Skydive Dubai XCAT World Series in Dubai last weekend, organisers have announced that Daytona, Florida has been included in the calendar for 2014.
One of the pilots particularly thrilled with the announcement was American Jay Price who revealed that this will be the first time he will race on home waters in 20 years.
Teams will be travelling to three continents over the coming year as the thrilling action spans the globe from January to December 2014. With the Series continually expanding, there will be 10 races in the coming season, with the second race of the year scheduled for Fujairah, UAE in the middle of February.
Like in 2013, China and Italy will once again be part of the programme, with two races each, and racing will also take place in Azerbaijan, Switzerland and the USA for the first time.
“These are exciting times for the UIM Skydive Dubai XCAT World Series,” said Sid Bensalah, Secretary General of the WPPA – organisers and promoters of the Series.
“We have been working tirelessly to set up the Series for 2014 as we constantly look to improve and expand what is fast becoming the most competitive form of powerboat racing in the world.
“The USA was always one of our targets since we launched the XCAT project last year, and now we have a great opportunity to enter the US market.
“2013 was a great season as we took the Series to three new locations, with wonderfully successful events in Stresa and Arona in Italy and Ningbo, China.
“And 2014 will also be a year of growth as we initiate many new developments and we look forward to introducing XCAT racing to several new locations while also, of course, remembering our roots in the Middle East,” added Bensalah.
Meanwhile, in the opening round of the 2014 UIM Skydive Dubai XCAT World Series in Dubai this weekend, it was the Fazza duo of Arif Al Zaffain and Nadir bin Hendi who claimed victory to take top spot in the overall Series standings. Skydive Dubai (Sultan Al Dhaheri and Jay Price) were second and Victory Team (Salem Al Adidi and Talib Al Sayed) third.
2014 VENUES AND DATES
Round 1 Dubai – UAE: 23 – 25 January
Round 2 Fujairah – UAE: 12 ‐ 14 February
Round 3 Daytona – USA – 11 – 13 April
Round 4 Napoli – Italy: 6 – 8 June
Round 5 Lugano – Switzerland : 20 – 22 June
Round 6 Stresa – Italy: 11 – 13 July
Round 7 Baku – Azerbaijan: 29 – 31 August
Round 8 Ningbo – China: 24 – 26 October
Round 9 Hining Dao – China: 7-9 November
Final Round Dubai – UAE: 11 – 13 December
