UIM H1 Unlimited Hydroplane World Championships Qualifying

The sixth and final round of the UIM (union internationale motonautique) H1 Unlimited Hydroplane World Championships - Air National Guard Series H1 Unlimited, kicked off in Doha, Qatar today with the qualifying rounds.

There are 12 teams, 15 Hydroplanes and 16 Drivers competing for the final points of the season. Bianca Bonocini being the only female driver.

The pit lane was a hive of activity, with the team mechanics working on the turbine engines and gear boxes of most Hydroplanes in preparation for the race on Firday.

U100 driver Greg Hopp commented that the hydroplanes use approximately 4.5 gallons of fuel per mile, averaging 145 mph around the circuit, with a top speed in excess of 190 miles per hour.
"getting the boat into a turn is easy, but you need a lot of strength to straighten her out after the bend"
"it is like riding a wild washing machine on a mega spin cycle"
Greg has been racing boats since he was 9 years old.