8 January 2008

Triple South African F1 Powerboat champion Paul Shepard has been trying for many years to race on the international circuit. His dream is about to become reality.

Shepard was invited to participate in the President’s Cup in Doha, Qatar from 24 to 27 January and, thanks to sponsor Dixon Premium Batteries, has accepted the invitation.

It is the first event of the UIM F1 World Championship, and it marks the first time in many years that a South African pilot will be joining the ranks of other pilots at international level.

Shepard will be joining the team of Scott Gillman, four-time F1 world champion, most recently in 2006, to show what he is made of.

A long wait
”I have been waiting for this opportunity for many years and cannot believe it has finally come,” Shepard said. ”I am very excited and plan to represent my country to the best of my ability.”

As a child, in the 1980s, Shepard stood on the banks of many rivers to watch his father Terry compete in the thrilling sport. His dream was to follow in Dad’s footsteps and race one of the exhilarating high-speed machines.

Since 2002, he has been racing on the South African circuit and his career has been filled with highlights. Apart from his three South African titles, he is the only pilot, besides racing legend Peter Lindenberg, to never lose race in a season.

Shepard, whose brother Robert is also one of South Africa’s top F1 Powerboat pilots, says the support of his family and his team sponsor have played a major role in his success.

”Dixon Premium Batteries have supported me all the way and I will always be thankful to them for this amazing opportunity,” he said.

World champion’s help
Germany’s Michael Werner, an F1 Powerboat racing legend with five World Championship and six European Championships to his credit, helped put Shepard’s opportunity together.

Werner has ties to South Africa going back many years, and Shepard expressed his thanks to the German, saying: ”I am very grateful to Michael for everything he has done.”

Shepard tops the standings in the current SA F1 Powerboat season. After four of 10 events, he is on 72 points, with Tim Fetherstonhaugh in second place on 63.5 and his brother Robert in third on 54.5.

In the most recent event, the Umhlathuze RE/MAX Marine F1 Powerboat Grand Prix in Richards Bay, he was fastest in qualifying and dominated all three heats to move ahead of Fetherstonhaugh in the championship standings.

Last season was a special one for the Shepard brothers, with Paul winning the championship and Robert finishing as runner-up.