World powerboat champ Holmes upbeat on Santosh, Gill

Making the switch from racing on the road to racing on the seas, India's C S Santosh and Gaurav Gill are unknown commodities in the P1 Powerboat Indian Grand Prix of the Seas event starting off the Marine Drive promenade here tomorrow with the qualifying phase.
However, seven-time world powerboat champion Neil Holmes, under whom the duo trained in Southampton, United Kingdom, for a week to get the licence to race before competing in events in Florida, USA, is of the view that the Indian wild card duo "will do well", in the event that culminates with the finale on March 5.

"They will do well. Santosh and Gill trained under me for just over a week. Santosh is calculating, methodical and has a good racing mind. Gill is a more fluent driver," said Holmes who had won seven world titles from 1988 to 1997 in both four-litre and six-litre class of boats.
Dakar Rally participant Santosh will be piloting one of two boats being fielded by Baleno RS Booster Jets, with experienced British navigator Martin Robinson to guide him, while Gill - winner of the 2013 Asia-Pacific Rally - will pilot United Breweries' Ultra Sharks' boat B, guided by navigator George Ivey.

A total of 12 boats, representing six teams, will take part in the championship carrying USD 125,000 in prize money.
Holmes, who took to the sport at the age of 9 and raced for 49 years, was also of the opinion that if the Arabian Sea waters become choppy then Gill held the edge while Santosh would do well in calmer waters.

If two boats collide in the race, which is a rare occurrence, then both competitors will be disqualified, said Holmes who had raced for ten years in Dubai, UAE.
"The course is such that every boat will try to get into one single line of water for speedy progress," the veteran racer said, adding that the concept of two-boat team "is exciting".

The cumulative points won by both the boats will decide a team's position in the Grand Prix.