Press release – official information from the second round of the 2008 UIM Formula
2 World Cup Series in Riga, Latvia on August 16-17
August 4, 2008 Riga, Latvia

Record number of pilots in Riga
Riga is the next venue on the map of the UIM Formula 2 World Cup Series and we are happy to report that a record number of 24 pilots have confirmed their participation at the GRAND PRIX OF LATVIA on August 16-17. Over the past two years it is the greatest number of boats participating at an F2 venue.

All top pilots of 2007 and 2008 seasons from 13 countries have entered the race and visitors and citizens of Riga are up for yet another great show on Daugava river. Last year’s winner of the GRAND PRIX OF LATVIA Italian Alex Carella is poised to put another great performance as his BABA boat is perfectly suited for the rough waters of Daugava river. UIM F2 World Cup 2007 winner Colin Jelf of the UK and his brother Owen of Jelf Racing Team as always are expected to be some of the most serious podium contestants. Colin is in great shape this year as he already won the Continental Cup in the Middle East and finished second at the previous World Cup race in Portugal. Experienced F1 pilot Jonas Andersson of F1 Team Sweden with skillful and fearless driving won in Portugal and without a doubt is willing to do the same in Riga in order to further ensure his position as the leader of the UIM F2 World Cup Series 2008. Flying Frenchman Jean Baptist Thomas of Team Normandis is another pilot who can make the more experience pilots sweat. Jean Baptist won the endurance race in Rouen this year and after having tried the sweat taste of victory he is sure to be a major force to be reckoned with in Riga. Spectators always favor local pilots who value home races more than other venues. Uvis Slakteris of Riga Powerboat Team has proved to be the most active pilot in 2008 as he has raced in all international F2 venues, in the UIM F1 World Championship and in UIM SST 120 World Championship. After a spectacular win of the Grand Finale race of the UIM F2 European Cup round in Aluksne, Latvia a week ago, Uvis has showed that he is in the best possible shape and surely will fight for a podium finish. Winner of the last years’ European Cup Ugis Gross of Kalnciems Racing Team is one of the fiercest competitors of Uvis not only in Latvia but in virtually every other venue where they race together. During the last two races Ugis has not been able show the best performance due to some engine problems. Surely, mechanics Kalnciems Racing Team will do their best to make sure that in Riga engine is perfect so that Ugis can focus on what he does the best – drive a boat. Rising star and one of the this years’ rookies on the F2 World Cup Series tour Martins Bergholcs of Riga Powerboat Team will surely become a favorite for many Latvians. Martins has already posted some good results and for sure he will be very motivated to his best in Riga.

In addition to the previously mentioned pilots, from last years’ race Latvian spectators will see again Laszlo Kovacs of Formula Team Hungary, Yousef Al-Robayan (Kuwait) of Port Ghalib Team, Rick Ivar Haakonsen (Norway) of Haakonsens FR, and Italian Gianni Manici of Riverstar Racing. It is especially great to see that Johan Coenradi of Holland Sportboat RT will be in Riga again because it was very sad to hear his announcement of retirement after the race in Riga last year. Line-up of new pilots in Riga is massive and it includes Norwegian Per Anders Edwardsen of Racer-Pure Passion Team, Sven Jansson of Formula Racing Team, Johan Osterberg of Team Ajo, Anders Andersson of Team Bikab (all three from Sweden), Nick Bisterfeld of Team Germany, Spaniard Morillo Sanchez, Italian Dani Martignoni of Rainbow F1 Team, Michael Nylund (Finland) of Team Pomo, Ian Andrews of Great Britain, and Bartlomiej Marszalek (Poland) of Balt Yacht Team. Frode Sundsdal of Norway who was in Riga doing promotional F1 double seater rides in 2007, could not stand the temptation to race and will be racing one of the boats of Kalnciems Racing Team.

Without any doubt such a great number of pilots of this caliber will make the race in Riga a historic event in powerboat racing history. It will show the magnificence of powerboat racing in all its glory and will be a milestone event for future development of the sport.

Please check the official UIM Formula 2 World Cup Series website – www.F2worldcup.com – for up to date news, video interviews, pictures, downloads, and more.