Introduction to the X-CAT World Series
Posted: Mon Dec 23, 2024 4:35 am
The X-Cat World Series came into being when, during the year 2006, on a routine flight after attending a Class III, 6-litre powerboat race in Doha, a group of drivers pondered their future in that particular class of racing with Sid Bensalah of the Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC). For his part, Sid Bensalah conveyed the drivers’ feelings to DIMC’s Managing Director and CEO, Saeed Hareb, who in turn, asked for a feasibility report to be prepared for having a separate class of racing that would have an appeal to a worldwide audience , whilst making it a very accessible and trustworthy brand of powerboat racing, one that would combine the high-octane Class One and the more sedate Formula One.
And so, with Sid Bensalah at the helm, began a series of brainstorming sessions and deliberations to design a racing concept to unearth the enormous potential contained within the world of powerboat racing, whilst offering a new and unique class of racing.
What followed was re-evaluation, reorganisation, rebranding and ultimately the relaunch of the former 6-litre Class III Series to see the birth of X-CAT Racing.
X-CAT stands for Xtreme Catamaran Series Powerboat Championship.
The year 2008 saw the first series of five X-CAT races in the UAE, followed by a further four races held in coordination with the Abu Dhabi International Marine Sports Club (ADIMSC) and DIMC over the next two years, while a further five rounds, including the Fujairah International Marine Club, were planned for 2012.
The growth of the series has been pronounced and popular with drivers around the world who are hooked on a brand of racing that is both affordable and entertaining.
Today, just three years later, the X-CAT Series is arguably one of the most sought-after brands in powerboat racing with each round drawing a field of nearly 30 teams.
The reasons for this huge popularity are many, not least of which is the fact that X-CAT races are the most challenging, have the largest international contingent, the largest number of international competing teams and drivers in the world of powerboat racing from far away Scandinavia to the USA and Australia.
Furthermore, the WPPA – Promoters of the series – ensure that they take in some of the most glamorous locations and venues in the world, giving viewers a unique and entertaining experience throughout the season.
And if this isn't enough, then a total prize fund of $1.5 million split evenly between the top finishers down to 15th place may be enough motivation to bring the best of the racing world to the series.
X-CAT RACING World Series:
The Xtreme Catamarans-Boats
Simply put, X-CAT boats are multihulls made from advanced carbon technology consisting of two outboard engines with up to 6,000cc (6Liters) displacement, 800HP or 400HP per engine.
Boats have a minimum permitted length of 7.6 metres and a maximum of 10 metres. There is also a weight reduction with each boat being allowed to be 1,755kg along with the stipulation that 110kg per metre will be added for boats over 7.5 metres. These boats are capable of reaching speeds of up to 130mph or 210km/h with their V6 engines .
How to win the X-CAT World Series?
The X-CAT World Series champion is determined by the corporate email database cumulative points from all X-CAT World Series events held during a calendar season. Scoring for boats over the course of the series is straightforward with
400 points for first place
300 points per second
225 points for third place
169 points for the fourth
127 points for fifth
95 points for sixth
71 points for seventh
53 points for the eighth
40 points for ninth
30 points for the tenth
down to a single point for the boat that finishes in 20th place.
All races carry points with no discards and in case of a tie in the overall standings at the end of the season, the number of first places will be taken into account, then the number of second places, etc. to arrive at a clear champion. And in case the series is still tied, the boat with the fastest average speed in any of the races in the series will be considered the champion.
X-Cat World Championship The Circuits
The rules stipulate that the X-CAT race lap must be a minimum of 2.8 nautical miles and a maximum of 4 nautical miles. Race laps must be repeated until the minimum distance for the duration of the race is 60 nautical miles or one hour plus one additional lap.
Security
Considerable attention was paid to ensuring the safety of the boats and their crew during the course of the races. It is considered that the Local Organising Committee should be responsible for communicating with the world governing body UIM to perform all safety functions and ensure all necessary safety installations in accordance with UIM safety procedures and guidelines requirements.
In addition, each local race promoter shall provide all required personnel, materials and services in accordance with UIM Safety Procedures and Guidelines .
And so, with Sid Bensalah at the helm, began a series of brainstorming sessions and deliberations to design a racing concept to unearth the enormous potential contained within the world of powerboat racing, whilst offering a new and unique class of racing.
What followed was re-evaluation, reorganisation, rebranding and ultimately the relaunch of the former 6-litre Class III Series to see the birth of X-CAT Racing.
X-CAT stands for Xtreme Catamaran Series Powerboat Championship.
The year 2008 saw the first series of five X-CAT races in the UAE, followed by a further four races held in coordination with the Abu Dhabi International Marine Sports Club (ADIMSC) and DIMC over the next two years, while a further five rounds, including the Fujairah International Marine Club, were planned for 2012.
The growth of the series has been pronounced and popular with drivers around the world who are hooked on a brand of racing that is both affordable and entertaining.
Today, just three years later, the X-CAT Series is arguably one of the most sought-after brands in powerboat racing with each round drawing a field of nearly 30 teams.
The reasons for this huge popularity are many, not least of which is the fact that X-CAT races are the most challenging, have the largest international contingent, the largest number of international competing teams and drivers in the world of powerboat racing from far away Scandinavia to the USA and Australia.
Furthermore, the WPPA – Promoters of the series – ensure that they take in some of the most glamorous locations and venues in the world, giving viewers a unique and entertaining experience throughout the season.
And if this isn't enough, then a total prize fund of $1.5 million split evenly between the top finishers down to 15th place may be enough motivation to bring the best of the racing world to the series.
X-CAT RACING World Series:
The Xtreme Catamarans-Boats
Simply put, X-CAT boats are multihulls made from advanced carbon technology consisting of two outboard engines with up to 6,000cc (6Liters) displacement, 800HP or 400HP per engine.
Boats have a minimum permitted length of 7.6 metres and a maximum of 10 metres. There is also a weight reduction with each boat being allowed to be 1,755kg along with the stipulation that 110kg per metre will be added for boats over 7.5 metres. These boats are capable of reaching speeds of up to 130mph or 210km/h with their V6 engines .
How to win the X-CAT World Series?
The X-CAT World Series champion is determined by the corporate email database cumulative points from all X-CAT World Series events held during a calendar season. Scoring for boats over the course of the series is straightforward with
400 points for first place
300 points per second
225 points for third place
169 points for the fourth
127 points for fifth
95 points for sixth
71 points for seventh
53 points for the eighth
40 points for ninth
30 points for the tenth
down to a single point for the boat that finishes in 20th place.
All races carry points with no discards and in case of a tie in the overall standings at the end of the season, the number of first places will be taken into account, then the number of second places, etc. to arrive at a clear champion. And in case the series is still tied, the boat with the fastest average speed in any of the races in the series will be considered the champion.
X-Cat World Championship The Circuits
The rules stipulate that the X-CAT race lap must be a minimum of 2.8 nautical miles and a maximum of 4 nautical miles. Race laps must be repeated until the minimum distance for the duration of the race is 60 nautical miles or one hour plus one additional lap.
Security
Considerable attention was paid to ensuring the safety of the boats and their crew during the course of the races. It is considered that the Local Organising Committee should be responsible for communicating with the world governing body UIM to perform all safety functions and ensure all necessary safety installations in accordance with UIM safety procedures and guidelines requirements.
In addition, each local race promoter shall provide all required personnel, materials and services in accordance with UIM Safety Procedures and Guidelines .