Gulf News, Alaric Gomes Dubai: The Spirit of Qatar 96 duo of Shaikh Hassan Bin Jaber Al Thani and Steve Curtis have thrown down the challenge to leaders Victory Team 3 of Dubai at this weekend's Sky Dive Dubai-Dubai Duty Free Grand Prix — the final round of the 2011 UIM Class One World Powerboat Championship.

After six races from the three rounds held so far, the Victory Team 3 pair of Arif Saif Al Zafein and Mohammad Al Merri are at the top of the overall standings with 103 points after four wins.

Spirit of Qatar 96 is in second with 77 points, with their single win coming at the Norwegian Grand Prix in Arendal, while Spirit of Qatar 95 is third on 63.

But Shaikh Hassan and Curtis set the fastest time of three minutes 4.18 secinds during yesterday's official practice at the Mina Seyahi waters of the Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC) ahead of the start of the GP today.

Perfect conditions

"This is just fine for us. We love these sort of conditions and hopefully they will remain like this and we can have a good race," Shaikh Hassan told Gulf News.

"It will be interesting to watch what happens tomorrow. I only hope the conditions stay the same, as this is how we love the water."

Victory Team 3 had a bit of a hitch as they announced a change in their pairing, with veteran and former two-time world champion Al Merri replacing Nader Bin Hendi at the throttles for driver Al Zafein this weekend.

But the pair did well to finish with a second-best time of 3:04.28, while Ali Al Meama and Matteo Nicolini of Qatar 95 were third best with 3:06.09 followed by Poliform (3:06.85) and debutants Luca F. Fendi Racing Team (3:08.23).

"We didn't want to push the boat too much," Al Zafein said. "We need to first know each other and gel as a team. We will see how things work out tomorrow."

Huraiz Al Mur Bin Huraiz, chairman of the DIMC sports committee, is entrusted with the overall responsibility of races held at DIMC. He insisted that the change in the team set-up is normal.

Fun weekend

"It's pretty much an internal issue for Victory Team," he said.

"I doubt it is anything major. I hope we will have a fun weekend of racing for the boats and the spectators so that this event is the best on the calendar this year."

The action will start at 9.30am today with the Edox Pole Position run, followed by the first race at 2pm. There will be a second race at 2pm tomorrow. Entrance is free and spectators are more than welcome.