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Powerboat racing can grow big in India: Neil Holmes

Holmes holds three world speed records and numerous national and European awards. A day before the event, he said, "It (race) could be bigger than this. There could be many more races all around India and not only in Mumbai."

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Powerboats at a practice session ahead of the P1 race in Mumbai
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The powerboat P1 racing will finally make it's much-awaited debut in the country here on Friday. And seven-time world champion Neil Holmes, who is training racers here, said he is impressed with the infrastructure and is enthusiastic about the event.

Holmes holds three world speed records and numerous national and European awards. A day before the event, he said, "It (race) could be bigger than this. There could be many more races all around India and not only in Mumbai."

The event will last for three days (March 3-5). Friday will be the qualifying to determine their start position for race 1 on Saturday and the finale will be on Sunday.

A total of 12 boats, representing six teams, will take part in the championship carrying $125,000 in prize money. The cumulative total of the two boats will decide the placings in the event.

P1 Powerboat will also see city's Koli community adding local flavour to the race and pilots CS Santosh (racing for Baleno RS Boosterjets with Martin Robinson as navigator) and Gaurav Gill (racing for Ultra Sharks with George Ivey as navigator) will represent the Indian contingent.

Holmes trained Santosh and Gill for the event and said he is quite happy with the way both responded. He said, "They both (Santosh and Gill) took their training very well. They did six days with me in England separately. It all depends on the results now."

Holmes added, "If Indian powerboat race drivers get enough practice in varied conditions and train for months then they have got a very good chance."

When asked about the potential of Powerboat racing in India Holmes said that, "Yeah. Definitely. If the event becomes successful then Powerboat racing in India will go from strength to strength."

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