Andhra Pradesh will host the UIM F1H2O

Andhra Pradesh will host the Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM) F1H2O, the highest class of inshore powerboat racing, in River Krishna. Tourism Authority CEO Himanshu Shukla signed an MoU with the F1H2O Promoter Management and India Extreme Adventure Activities to conduct this season’s 6th round of world championship on November 9,10 and 11.

“We have been working for the last nine months to make this event happen in Amaravati that is bound to catapult it as a destination for international sporting activities,” said Mr. Shukla at a press conference that followed. He said a team from the UIM and the F1H2O management committee had arrived to homologate the race circuit and make final preparations in November. Mr. Shukla also sprung a surprise announcing that AP would not only host but would also pitch its own team ‘Team Amaravati’ in the championship.

Paolo di San Germano, F1H2O racing president, said the world championship was returning to India after 14 years. “We look forward to a wonderful experience and a long-lasting ‘racing’ relationship with the government of Andhra Pradesh,” he said.

Sandeep Mandava, CEO, India Extreme Adventure Activities, said the event was being organised in line with Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s aspiration to host international sporting events in Amaravati.The Formula 1 Powerboat World Championship (also F1) is organised by the UIM and promoted by H2O Racing. Each race lasts approximately 45 minutes following a circuit marked out in a lake, river, dock or sheltered bay.

Mr. Shukla said the department was excited that Amaravati would be hosting the Grand Prix 2018. This season, the world championship was held in Portugal, London, France and China (two rounds) before coming to Amaravati in November. “From here we will head to Abu Dabi and Sharjah in UAE,” said Mr. Germano.He said the nine teams and the 19 drivers from 12 countries contesting this year’s championship were on a ‘summer break’ after the events in Portugal, England and France.