In the first week of March, several red and yellow balls were found bobbing in neat lines over the waters off the famous Marine Drive promenade in Mumbai. While curious tourists debated over why the bright balls were arranged on the waters, a day later (on March 3), Mumbaikars witnessed 12 P1 Panther Powerboats on the specially designed racetrack for the first time during the time trials.
Cockpit of a P1 powerboat | Amey Mansabdar
Along the packed boulevard, where people are usually busy taking selfies and sipping on chai while admiring the view of Mumbai’s skyline, citizens had something new to cheer for over the weekend. Six teams and their internationally acclaimed pilots and navigators participated in two races of 15 laps each on March 4, followed by the grand finale the next day during the Nexa P1 Powerboat Indian Grand Prix of the Seas.
At the event, which was organised by Procam International, each team consisted of two P1 Panther Powerboats and was manned by a pilot and a navigator. The water racetrack spanned 5.2km and in the grand finale, each team had to complete 20 laps, while being represented by women team ambassadors.
A racing team on its way to practise | Amey Mansabdar
However, a fortnight before the event, the organisers met with a major hurdle after the BMC asked them to obtain the necessary permission by a committee set up by the Bombay High Court for constructing a temporary jetty in the sea, along with a few tents for medical aid for a span of three days.
The BMC had refused to grant the required permissions due to the fact that Procam International had not paid dues worth Rs 2.74 crore for the Mumbai marathon which was held on January 15. Much to the relief of the event management firm, on March 1 the Bombay HC permitted the international Grand Prix powerboat event. Anil Singh, Managing Director, Procam International, says, “The iconic Marine Drive could not have been a better canvas for us, in partnership with P1 Global to launch the first event of a world series in the global new construct of powerboat racing.”
People watch the Nexa P1 Powerboat Indian Grand Prix | Amey Mansabdar
Among the six teams, two Indian pilots, including racecar driver Gaurav Gill and national super cross and dirt track champion C.S.Santosh, participated in the much-anticipated event and undertook the challenging task of riding racing boats without any breaks. While Gaurav took charge of Boat B from Team Ultra Sharks, CS Santosh piloted Team Baleno RS Booster Jet’s Boat B.
After the time trials on March 3, bystanders watched the P1 Powerboats effortlessly zip through the surface of the Arabian Sea. According to the rules, winning Race 1 would earn the boat 20 points, while the second and third boats would earn 17 and 15 points repectively. The positions after that earned one point less than the previous one.
Staff take selfie with Daisy Coleman (navigator) of team Baleno RS Booster Jets at the wet pit area | Amey Mansabdar
On Sunday, much to the delight of Indians, Baleno RS Booster Jets won the inaugural Grand Prix of the Seas after winning 89 points. Santosh, the debut pilot, along with British navigator Martin Robinson and the brother-sister duo of Sam and Daisy Coleman bagged the cash prize of $50,000. “The last two days have been a bit of a struggle but on Sunday, I seemed to have a much better handling of the boat and I was enjoying myself and having a lot more fun today. I think we did a good job today,” says Santosh, the Dakar Rally finisher, who admitted excitedly after winning the cash prize, it would take him sometime before he would stop smiling from ear to ear.
Team Baleno RS Booster Jets celebrates on the podium after winning the Nexa P1 Powerboat Indian Grand Prix | Amey Mansabdar
Llyod Dolphins claimed the second prize with a cheque of $20,000 and a total of 87 points due to the great driving of the husband-wife duo, Stuart and Sara Cureton, and Craig Wilson and William Enriquez. The third spot was won by the team of MoneyonMobile at 79 points. The team’s two boats were piloted by UK’s Welsh Norvall and Lee Norvall and navigated by Christian Young and Glynn Norvall respectively.