New 96 Spirit of Qatar Taking Shape
Somewhere in South Seattle – in a top secret location – Ellstrom Racing’s new Spirit of Qatar is taking shape.
Owner Erick Ellstrom says, “The major elements of the hull – center section, cockpit, canoes, etc. are constructed and going together. The boat itself will be completed in December and we’ll start putting the systems in. The new Spirit of Qatar will be completed in April.”
Work on the center section of the boat is nearing completion.
Ellstrom says he is working closely with the team’s sponsor, Sheikh Hassan bin Jabor Al-Thani of the Qatar Marine Sports Federation, who gave his support to the project during the Oryx Cup UIM World Championship in February in Doha and has stayed in contact throughout construction.
To the obvious question – why all the secrecy? Ellstrom replied, “We are building a boat that will be lighter, stronger, faster and more high tech than anything the sport has seen before. We just don’t want to share everything we are doing before we have a chance to get it finished.”
Ellstrom says the differences in the hull will be fairly subtle, but it will be more adjustable to changing conditions and starting procedures than previous boats.
“Canoes” form the outside of the hull from sponson to transom and are ready to be attached to the center section.
Speaking of systems, Ellstrom explained that he has teamed with Cosworth Racing in the development of advanced computer systems and electronics that will give the team more monitoring capability and information than any systems that have been used previously.
The team’s hardware is also getting an upgrade. Ellstrom says he will start the 2014 season with more engines, props and gearboxes than they have ever had before.
The big question remaining is….who will be chosen to drive the world’s most state-of- the- art race boat?
Ellstrom says a number of familiar names are still being considered and a decision on the team’s new driver will be made before the boat is completed in April.
Carbon fiber cockpit will be home to new driver.
Ellstrom concluded, “We will choose a driver who is a good fit for the team and then make sure the cockpit is a good fit for the driver. We are also gettting input from Sheikh Hassan, a world-class boat racer himself, who has a very good knowledge of the top drivers in the H1 Unlimited Series.”
By Steve Montgomery – H1 Unlimited
Photos courtesy of Ellstrom Racing
New 96 Spirit of Qatar Taking Shape
Somewhere in South Seattle – in a top secret location – Ellstrom Racing’s new Spirit of Qatar is taking shape.
Owner Erick Ellstrom says, “The major elements of the hull – center section, cockpit, canoes, etc. are constructed and going together. The boat itself will be completed in December and we’ll start putting the systems in. The new Spirit of Qatar will be completed in April.”
Work on the center section of the boat is nearing completion.
Ellstrom says he is working closely with the team’s sponsor, Sheikh Hassan bin Jabor Al-Thani of the Qatar Marine Sports Federation, who gave his support to the project during the Oryx Cup UIM World Championship in February in Doha and has stayed in contact throughout construction.
To the obvious question – why all the secrecy? Ellstrom replied, “We are building a boat that will be lighter, stronger, faster and more high tech than anything the sport has seen before. We just don’t want to share everything we are doing before we have a chance to get it finished.”
Ellstrom says the differences in the hull will be fairly subtle, but it will be more adjustable to changing conditions and starting procedures than previous boats.
“Canoes” form the outside of the hull from sponson to transom and are ready to be attached to the center section.
Speaking of systems, Ellstrom explained that he has teamed with Cosworth Racing in the development of advanced computer systems and electronics that will give the team more monitoring capability and information than any systems that have been used previously.
The team’s hardware is also getting an upgrade. Ellstrom says he will start the 2014 season with more engines, props and gearboxes than they have ever had before.
The big question remaining is….who will be chosen to drive the world’s most state-of- the- art race boat?
Ellstrom says a number of familiar names are still being considered and a decision on the team’s new driver will be made before the boat is completed in April.
Carbon fiber cockpit will be home to new driver.
Ellstrom concluded, “We will choose a driver who is a good fit for the team and then make sure the cockpit is a good fit for the driver. We are also gettting input from Sheikh Hassan, a world-class boat racer himself, who has a very good knowledge of the top drivers in the H1 Unlimited Series.”
By Steve Montgomery – H1 Unlimited
Photos courtesy of Ellstrom Racing