Greg and Brian O’Farrell, Owners of the GoFastTurnLeft Racing Team have announced that TapouT will return as the sponsor of the 21 Tapout for the Oryx Cup UIM World Championship in Doha, Qatar November 17-19.

The boat first carried the TapouT logo in the Sacramento exhibition and also raced under the TapouT banner at the Air National Guard Championship in San Diego

The Detroit Yacht Club, one of the oldest and most prestigious clubs in North America, has signed a contract to remain the Presenting Sponsor of the Detroit APBA Gold Cup Races for the next three years. The announcement was made by the Detroit River Regatta Association (DRRA), host organization for the race and representatives from the Detroit Yacht Club. In its role as Presenting Sponsor, the Detroit Yacht Club will lead the fundraising efforts for the annual event held in July, including seeking businesses, individuals and clubs to serve as Title Sponsor or underwriters to help preserve one of the oldest, ongoing events in the city.

“The APBA Gold Cup Races are part of Detroit’s history, as well as all of motorsports,” said Dr. A.J. Telmos, Commodore, Detroit Yacht Club. “The DYC is honored to continue our support of this Detroit institution and encourages others to do the same.”

The Gold Cup is the oldest active trophy in motorsports, with Detroit hosting the longest running, yearly hydroplane race. The race takes place on the Detroit International Water Speedway, an oval course on the Detroit River just north of the Belle Isle Bridge – considered the most famous powerboat racecourse in the world. Although the Detroit Yacht Club’s commitment is significant, race organizers emphasize more sponsors are needed in order to fund the costs of the event. As an example, in return for a Title Sponsorship commitment, the race would be named in their honor.

Other levels of commitment and sponsorship opportunities are available and needed to ensure the event will remain viable. The Detroit River Regatta Association is a not-for-profit entity formed to organize and manage the event and is largely supported by volunteers.

“The 2012 races, set for July 13 – 15, are nine months away, yet we encourage sponsors to come forward now to help keep the tradition of hydroplane racing alive on the Detroit River,” said Tom Bertolini, President, DRRA. “This is a great opportunity for sponsors to show their commitment to Detroit and the region and associate their name with a 107-year-old-tradition with great name recognition.”

The APBA Gold Cup Races feature a “free Friday” with no admission charge. In addition to the unlimited hydroplanes, additional classes of race boats, airplane shows and other entertainment are being reviewed for the three-day event. “The 2011 race was broadcast nationally on the Versus television network and was replayed recently just after a Detroit Lions telecast,” added Bertolini. “This event is a great way to showcase Detroit, our beautiful riverfront and allow sponsors to achieve nationwide exposure.”

For more information, contact the DRRA at 586-774-0980 or visit www.gold-cup.com ### Founded in 1868, the Detroit Yacht Club is one of the oldest and most prestigious private clubs in North America. The Detroit Yacht Club has been the center of Detroit society for nearly 150 years and continues a proud tradition and commitment to excellence and quality service to its members and the community. Offering boating and social memberships, the Detroit Yacht Club offers a first class dining experience, premier docking facilities in a picturesque location on Belle Isle, along with a variety of social events, recreational, athletic, health and fitness services.

For more information, please call 313-824-1200 or visit www.dyc.com The APBA Gold Cup, first presented in 1904, is the ultimate motorsport prize, considered the most prestigious powerboat racing trophy in the world. The Gold Cup began its relationship with Detroit more than 100 years ago and it is the oldest annual unlimited hydroplane race in the world. For more information, contact the Detroit River Regatta Association (DRRA) at 586-774-0980 or visit www.gold-cup.com

Coverage of the Air National Guard Hydroplane Series will continue  on Sunday Nov. 13 at 4:00 PM EDT (1:00 PM PDT) with coverage of the Air National Guard Championship at San Diego Bayfair.

The series will conclude with broadcast of the Oryx Cup UIM World Championship on December 25.

Air National Guard Hydroplane Series Schedule on Versus TV:

• Madison: Lucas Oil Indiana Governor’s Cup – Oct 9 – 4:00 PM EDT
• Detroit: APBA Gold Cup – Oct 16 – 4:00 PM EDT
• Tri-Cities: Lamb-Weston Columbia Cup – Oct 30 – 4:00 PM EDT
• Seattle: Albert Lee Cup at Seafair – Nov 6 – 4:00 PM EST
• San Diego: Air National Guard Championship at Bayfair – Nov 13 – 4:00 PM EST
• H1 Special:  Nov 20 – 4:00 PM EST
• Doha: UIM World Championship Oryx Cup – Dec 25 – 4:00 PM EST

Scheduling conflicts will force N. Mark Evans to remain in Washington state during the U.I.M. World Championship Oryx Cup.

Precision Perfomance Engineering, LLC is pleased to welcome back Jimmy Shane of Havre de Grace, Maryland to pilot the U-57 in Doha, Qatar. Shane, a three-time World and National Champion previously drove for PPE, LLC as the U-7 back up driver in 2007 and 2008. He also competed in one heat of competition in the U-57 at San Diego’s 2010 Bayfair event.

No stranger to U.I.M. sanctioned events, Shane holds 7 closed course U.I.M. World Records and a Kilo Straightaway World Record. Jimmy has also continued to hone his skills in the ultra-competitive Grand Prix inboard racing class.

Significant competitive improvements have been made to the U-57 since Shane’s 2010 experience in San Diego and we look forward to providing Jimmy with the best race boat possible!

The top 10 Air National Guard Series Hydroplanes have been loaded aboard the Hoegh Grand Champion and have begun the trans-Atlantic trip that will take them to the Persian Gulf for the the 2011 Oryx Cup in Doha, Qatar November 17-19.

Pictured – 57 Formulaboats.com being loaded.

To track the progress of the Hoegh Grand Champion CLICK HERE

Nearly four years ago, H1 Unlimited Chairman Sam Cole signed a contract for the Unlimited hydroplanes to race in Doha, Qatar. It would be the first time the tour had ever competed outside of North America and in a foreign land that most of the race teams knew little about.

A lot has changed as the fleet prepares for the Oryx Cup world championships in Doha starting November 17. The Middle Eastern country entered the world stage last year when it was selected to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and in the process will become the first Arab country to host the soccer tournament. The country is also a big supporter of boat racing, hosting F1 and Class 1 races into addition to the H1 Unlimited Series.

“They are active in sports around the world,” Cole said. “It’s a sports mecca there this time of year.”

Nowhere was that more obvious than when the team arrived last year for the Oryx Cup Championships. Streets around the Corniche, the waterfront promenade where the races take place, were lined with banners featuring individual drivers. At a nearby stadium, the Champions Tour with tennis legend John McEnroe was staging a match.

Team owner Ted Porter, who will be campaigning three boats in Doha, is impressed with the venue. The course features a skyline with high-rise buildings that is seen nowhere else on the H1 Unlimited circuit. Porter notes the crowds grew substantially last year and expects an even better turnout next week.

“The first year we didn’t know what to expect or how we would be received,” Porter said. “Once we got there we discovered this great atmosphere and it’s been a good experience for the teams.”

Although the teams are focused on winning the season’s final race, they’ve gotten an opportunity to take in the local culture.  Drivers have ridden camels, watched camel races in the desert and participated in a day-long safari.

While their free time is limited at the race site, driver Steve David tries to take in as many sites around Doha as possible.

“It’s all part of the whole experience,” said David, who will make his third trip to Doha. “When you leave there you have a whole difference perception. They are very likable people.”

H1 Unlimited opens the pits for one night so that the locals and race fans can see the hydroplanes and take pictures with the drivers. Thousands of people stream into the pits on the warm summer evening.

This year’s Oryx Cup Championships will feature 12 teams—two more than in previous years. Driver Dave Villwock, who pilots the hometown boat Spirit of Qatar, is looking for his second straight Oryx Cup championship and to win his first national high points championship since 2007.

“We’re definitely playing in the stadium for us,” Villwock said. “We love racing for the people of Qatar … and would like to get them another victory.”

Cole is hoping the Doha race is the centerpiece for an international expansion. Ultimately, H1 Unlimited would like to add three or four races overseas, he said.

“I think we’ve proven we can take the sport abroad,” Cole said. “We want to expand the sport globally.”

The Oryx Cup is being staged by the Qatar Marine Sports Federation (QMSF), under the presidency of His Excellency Sheikh Hassan bin Jabor Al-Thani.

To see more of Jim Simpson’s Oryx Cup Gallery CLICK HERE