Procam
International Creates History by Launching a Global Powerboat Racing Series
Nexa
is Title Sponsor for inaugural Grand Prix of the Seas series
FEBRUARY
2, 2017: Torchbearers of the
distance running revolution in the country, anchored by the Mumbai marathon, the
sixth largest distance running event race globally, Procam International is now
extending their dominion from land to the maritime world by launching the Nexa P1
Powerboat, Indian Grand Prix of the Seas. With the hum and throttle of engines
along the shorelines of Mumbai’s natural amphitheater – Marine Drive – through
the weekend of 3rd March 2017, this new sporting paradigm will
redefine India’s maritime landscape and spearhead a
powerful movement for marine sustainability.
The Grand Prix of the
Seas is the brainchild of P1 Global, the world’s leading maritime motor sports
brand in partnership with Procam International and the coming together of
Indian and global institutions, partners, federations, governments, agencies
and sponsors, reinforced by the endorsement of the Union Internationale
Motonautique (UIM), the global governing federation to create a truly unique
experience that will infuse within the ecosystem a joy of water.
NEXA’s association with
Procam as the Title Sponsor of the P1 Powerboat, Indian Grand Prix of the Seas
fits the premium brand image of NEXA, with both offering new and exciting
experiences to consumers. NEXA is a lifestyle destination brand, which caters
to not just automotive buying experience but also builds a lifestyle experience
for its consumers just like P1, the sport, which encapsulates vibrant
experiences.
The Government of Maharashtra, the
Mumbai Port Trust, and the Indian Navy, the fifth-largest navy in the world
supports this initiative. The event is being conducted under the auspices of
the Maharashtra Tourism and Development Corporation (MTDC) and implemented under
the aegis of the Yachting Association of India (YAI), while being sanctioned by
the Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM).
The Government of India and the Ministry of Sports & Youth Affairs have
also extended their full support..
Anil Singh, Managing Director,
Procam International said, “We are privileged to partner with P1 Global, where
we are seeding a global sport structure from Mumbai. Procam created a national
movement in running, and now we are aiming to create a global movement on
water. With the Nexa P1 Powerboat,
Indian Grand Prix of the Seas, sports fans will experience the joy of watching
the fastest men and women on sea competing on the world’s first-ever course on
water. We are thankful to the Indian and global
institutions, federations, governments, agencies and sponsors who are
partnering with us, and will be indebted to them for their support.”
Supporting this global innovation
in Maritime Racing, the President of Off-Shore Commission, UIM, Jean Marie Van
Lancker said, “It’s a matter of great pride for the UIM to be associated
with the inaugural edition of the Nexa P1 Powerboat, Indian Grand
Prix of the Seas. The global spotlight will be on Mumbai as it makes history by
launching the debut race of the world championship series. The sheer enormity
of this race and its many firsts will make it a worldwide phenomenon and
re-define the parameters of powerboat racing.The UIM extends its full support
to Procam International and all its partners to make this edition a
resounding success.”
Global Partners to the event, P1
Global Chairman, Asif Rangoonwala said, “ Powerboat P1 in partnership
with Procam International are delighted to announce the launch of the Nexa P1
Powerboat, Indian Grand Prix of the Seas. This debut race is the culmination of
six years of dedicated work in developing a new series that delivers a clear
and logical structure, which celebrates the best powerboat racers in the world
and redefines sport in the maritime ecosystem. Having reached the launch stage,
it was vitally important to secure a race venue befitting the scale of this
achievement and we believe that Mumbai, a world-class city in so many ways, is
the ideal base for the start of this new journey. I have always marveled at the
splendour of Marine Drive and am glad that this natural amphitheater will be brought
to life with our P1 powerboats racing centre-stage for millions of fans of this
sport.”
THE RACE
Nexa P1
Powerboat, India Grand Prix of the Seas, is the first of the UIM recognized
Grand Prix of the Seas. The 5-tier
hierarchal structure will consist of a World Cup at the apex (to be held
biennially starting in 2020) the Grand Prix of the Seas series, which will
define a World Champion, inter-continental series, national series and regional
series in orders of level of competition.
The race weekend for the Indian
Grand Prix of the Seas will have 7 teams competing, with every team
comprising of two P1 Panther powerboats, each manned by a pilot and navigator
competing in identical boats along a 5.2 km defined race track, the first ever
on water. The podium teams will be decided by the combined best times of both boats
based on the skills of the team’s pilots and navigators post two races on March
4, Saturday, and one Grand Final on Sunday, March 5th. With
the best pilots and navigators from the world participating in this event, the
race weekend will also be witness to the first-ever sport in India that has male
and female as equal participants, with skill and strategy deciding the
winner.
P1 PANTHER
A 28-foot powerboat powered by a 250 HP engine, reaches a maximum speed
of 120 km/hr on water, an equivalent of 240 km/hr on land.
With a low centre of gravity providing greater
stability and improved handling, the P1 Panther is also designed to race in
just 6 feet of water resulting in a fan-friendly, close-to-shore racing
experience.
The P1 Panther
has been specially designed to make this a truly green racing event.
With low emissions, it is unbeatable on clean and quiet performance and has
been given the Clean Air Excellence Award by the EPA. The boat has been
certified under EU standards and has a 3-STAR CARB rating which means 65% fewer
emissions than 1-STAR engines. It emits less noise and no smoke, uses less fuel
and requires no oil changes thanks to the advanced fuel and oil injection
system
SPONSORS
& PARTNERS
An event of this
magnitude is not possible without the unstinted support from its partners and
sponsors who have extended their faith in the sport. Partners
include the Maruti Suzuki’ new premium
sales channel, NEXA, as the Title Sponsor. Speaking on the association, Mr. R S
Kalsi, Executive Director, Marketing & Sales, Maruti Suzuki said, “We
are delighted to associate with NEXA P1 Powerboat Racing in its inaugural
year. At NEXA, we are committed to offer hospitality that pampers and
technology that’s innovative for our consumers. NEXA is at the forefront of
bringing innovation & delivering outstanding experiences which are new and
exciting, just like P1 Powerboat Racing which builds experiences based on high adrenaline
action and superior technology”
Other partners
include:
Trident Hotel as Hospitality
Partner that offers panoramic views
of Marine Drive & the Queen's Necklace;
India’s largest
English daily, The Times of India as Print Partner;
Radio Mirchi as Radio
Partner;
The world’s largest
container shipping company, Maersk, as Shipping Partner;
The Patient and
Family Centric, Sir H N Reliance Foundation Hospital, as Medical Partner;
Nautica, the water inspired global lifestyle brand, as Style Partner;
Mahindra Marine as Boat
Building Partner;
Sony ESPN as the Broadcast
Partner.
LIVE
TELECAST on SONY ESPN and SONY PIX
Nexa P1 Powerboat, Indian Grand Prix of the Seas, will be
telecast live globally and promises to deliver the most comprehensive coverage
in the history of powerboating. Seeding a global sport from India, the
Nexa P1 Powerboat, Indian Grand Prix of the Seas will set a
global benchmark for the telecast of the sport and the entertainment
around it.
The telecast repertoire includes 9 hours of
LIVE programming on SONY ESPN & SONY Pix over the race
weekend, content that will be produced by Initium Productions and
Emmy Award recognized British direc
JOY OF
WATER
The Joy Of Water Foundation (which is being set up in
India) is set-up with the aim of safeguarding and restoring the marine and
coastal environment by raising awareness through education and effective
partnerships with a mission to deliver inspiring programs that engage
understanding of the value of marine life together with increased personal
responsibility, particularly amongst young people.
RACE
VILLAGE – Brought to life by Bennett Colman & Co. Ltd
The high-octane
action on water will be complemented by a Race Village from March 3-5, at the
Wilson Gymkhana Grounds on Marine Drive. The Race Village, a BCCL initiative, promises
an exciting experience, complete with games, celebrity events and elite
hospitality.
The weekend will
also be interspersed with various exhilarating attractions, including a Naval
display and performances by Zapata & Jet Ski World Champions.
