2008 SEASON OPENER PROVES A GREAT SUCCESS

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Powerboat P1 CEO Jim O'Toole has hailed the 2008 season-opening Italian Grand Prix of the Sea as a huge success.

The Italian round of offshore racing's fastest growing series moved home for this year to the city of San Benedetto del Tronto on Italy's Adriatic coast. There were also a number of significant changes to Powerboat P1's rule-book over the winter to make the racing more competitive, fairer and safer, while a crop of new teams have entered the championship, adding to the strength of the existing outfits in the Evolution and SuperSport classes.

‘This was a fantastic start to the new season,’ O'Toole said after the Evolution class Italian Grand Prix of the Sea podium ceremony. ‘All the innovations that we have introduced into the championship have worked well. The new rules have been applied rigorously and fairly, and we've seen some fantastic competitive racing. The teams have raised their game significantly in line with Powerboat P1 and we're pleased we've been able to put together a great show and a fantastic event.’

O'Toole also had plenty of praise for the organisers of Italian Grand Prix of the Sea host city San Benedetto del Tronto, which is new to the Powerboat P1 calendar for 2008. ‘San Benedetto del Tronto has been a great host to Powerboat P1,’ he said. ‘The Mayor and his team have done a great job in welcoming us and supporting us. The weather has been fantastic for the whole weekend, and the number of people who came out to support us was incredibly satisfying. It all bodes well for a great year.’