Intro:

Driver Arif Al Zafeen and his throttleman Mohammed Al Marri steered 'Victory' to first place in Race Two of powerboating's Class 1 series at the Qatar Grand Prix in Doha on Saturday, beating UAE compatriots Rashed Al Tayer and Majed Al Mansoori of Team Abu Dhabi to the chequered flag.

Thursday's race one winners, Sheikh Hassan bin Jabor Al Thani and Steve Curtis, could only manage third this time aboard Spirit of Qatar 96.

The trio are separated by just two points in the championship standings, with Victory and Spirit of Qatar 96 on 32 points from two races and Team Abu Dhabi on 30.

Script:

Race two at Class 1 powerboating's Qatar Grand Prix on Saturday.

Spirit of Qatar 96, won Thursday's opening race and were on pole position.

But there was a surprise in store.

The drag race from the green flag saw Team Abu Dhabi, Victory and Spirit of Qatar 96 just centimetres apart as they hurtled into the first turn.

But it was Guido Cappellini and Class 1 debutant Gian Maria Gabbiani in Poliform who showed a blistering turn of speed to get out in front and cut across to lead at the end of lap 1.

Cappellini and Gabbiani held off the challenge of Victory's Arif Al Zafeen, edging out to a four-second lead before a technical problem forced them to slow.

The lead was soon conceded and they retired from the race on lap 6.

With Poliform out, Al Zafeen and Al Marri were able to control the race and after 11 laps they had opened up a 15-second cushion and were on their own as they took the chequered flag.

Team Abu Dhabi took second place and Spirit of Qatar 96 third.

Sunday's result puts Victory and Spirit of Qatar 96 joint top of the championship standings on 32 points, with Team Abu Dhabi two points adrift in third.