Offshore racing legends to race in Australia’s AOPC Superboat Series
Sheikh Hassan bin Jabor Al-Thani and Steve Curtis, driver and throttleman of the legendary #96 Qatar team are to race in Australia’s AOPC Superboat Series. PowerboatPro has been told this by Maritimo Racing pilot Tom Barry-Cotter. Maritimo Racing, being based in Australia and knowing a thing or two about racing Class 1 boats, will support the legendary Qatar #96 team in their Australian campaign. The pair will compete in AOPC’s Class 1 racing series in races 2 and 3 in Mackay on June 26 and 27 and in Townsville 3 and 4 July.
Both Sheik Hassan bin Jabor Al-Thani and Steve Curtis have a very impressive honours list from their racing days in the UIM Class 1 World Championship with Sheik Hassan bin Jabor al-Thani being the first Quatari ever to win a Class 1 Grand Prix. In the 45 times the Sheikh started in a GP race, 19 times were finished on the podium. Sheikh Hassan bin Jabor Al-thani is still active in powerboat racing and currently is the president of the Qatar Marine Sports Federation (QMSF).
Steve Curtis is a legend in offshore Class 1 racing. With 8 World titles on his honours list, he has been the most succesful Class 1 competitor ever. Also Mr. Curtis is never far away from the marine world because when he is not racing boats, he is building them, overseeing all activities of the Cougar Marine family business.These two legendary racers taking part in AOPC’s Class 1 competition is quite a feat for the sport in Australia. We are sure the team still has what it takes and are curious to see how they do against some stiff Aussie competition.
All pictures used in this article courtesy of Class 1 and Nigel Quilter
For more information on Tom Barry-Cotter’s exploits in the Class 1 AOPC series please visit: Maritimo Racing website
More on AOPC’s australian powerboat racing can be found on: AOPC official website
and Australian Offshore Superboat Championships website
For more on UIM Class 1 World Championships please visit UIM Class 1 website
