#99 Fountain crew handed 100-point penalty
Monday 12 May 2008
#99 Fountain at speed in the Italian Grand Prix of the Sea Sprint race
The Evolution class reigning champion #99 Fountain Worldwide team – which won both the Endurance and Sprint race of the 2008 Powerboat P1 season-opener in San Benedetto del Tronto – has been docked its Sprint race win from Italy after a post-race protest by the #88 Kiton Outerlimits OSG Racing team.
Pilot James Sheppard and throttleman Craig Wilson started their season with a clear championship lead after their back-to-back wins, but a UIM Commission decided that the protest posted by the OSG Racing team was valid, and – after discussion by the UIM Jury – a decision was issued.
Although the #99 Fountain Worldwide team are allowed to keep their win in the Italian Grand Prix of the Sea Endurance race, they have been disqualified from the Sprint race and - as a result of the 100-point loss - have lost their cumulative Italian Grand Prix of the Sea victory and championship lead, both of which now go to the #77 Lucas Oil crew of pilot Shelley Jory and throttleman Nigel Hook.
The #99 Fountain Worldwide crew do have the option of protesting the penalty and have stated their intention to do so.