F2 Powerboats in Action for the First Time in Sri Lanka

POWERBOAT RACING POWERED BY DIALOG WILL CAUSE RIPPLES AND WAVES ON THE BEIRA

The sound of high revving V6 engines is going to ripple the calm waters of the Beira Lake this weekend as Dialog Axiata PLC along with the Lanka Powerboat Association brings you Sri Lanka’s first UIM accredited Formula 2 (F2) Powerboat race. Titled the Dialog F2 Powerboat Challenge, the event is all set to thrill those who are ardent followers of the speed and thrill that this sport provides.

Four F2 boats from a leading powerboat racing team from the United Kingdom will display their skills at the serene Beira Lake premises from the 23-24 November, 2013.

The total number of laps is approximately 15 to 20 depending on the length of the course, and lasts for 5 minutes while offering a continuous and exciting racing experience.

President of the Lanka Powerboat Association, Prasanne Ranaweera had this to say on the event and the sponsorship. “We welcome the unstinting support and sponsorship extended by Dialog Axiata PLC that is much needed to put an event of this magnitude together. Dynamic corporate entities such as Dialog Axiata PLC coming forward is an encouraging sign for the organisation to lay a foundation and get the event moving”.

F2 powerboats are equipped with 2 litre Mercury Engines that can propel these boats to over 180 kilometers an hour on perfect sea conditions. Hulls of F2 are minimum length of 4.8 meters and minimum weight of 513 kg which includes the pilot. Due to their specially designed tunnel hulls, F2 boats are able to turn almost instantaneously incurring more G (Gravity) forces than any other racing machine on the planet.

“The hulls of F2 Powerboats are similar to that of the F1 Powerboats. A vital safety feature was put into place in all international venues by inserting safety crash boxes where the pilots are insulated to a great extent like in F1 motor racing” Richard de Zoysa Event Promoter and Organiser of the Dialog F2 Powerboat Challenge said.

Other than the main exhibition event itself, where 4 experienced English Pilots will put the boats through their phases, around ten civilians who have formula driving experience will also be given an opportunity of experiencing these levels of speed and thrust. The day will also see the initiation of 4 of our own pilots representing the armed forces and the Police into the world of Powerboat Racing at the Dialog F2 Powerboat Challenge.

Formula Powerboat racing originated in 1981, where international competitions similar to that of F1 cars were held at venues around the world. Presently, Sri Lanka is the 54th country in the world that has brought in this spectacular water sport to be seen by all. With MTV Sports telecasting a live coverage on Sunday morning, even those who do not have the good fortune to be present to watch history being made on the Beira will be able to see it in the confines of their homes.