Prestigious Oryx Cup won by Middle Eastern-sponsored American team
American Dave Villwock driving the unlimited hydroplane Spirit of Qatar claimed a sensational victory in the winner-takes-all Oryx Cup, the event that brought the UIM World Unlimited Championship to a close in Qatar on Saturday.
The fastest six boats from the earlier championship rounds plus a seventh qualifier made a thrilling spectacle of the Oryx Cup final.
All eyes were on the potential clash between Dave Villwock in Spirit of Qatar, and J Michael Kelly, the defending champion, in Graham Trucking.
But there was no stopping Spirit of Qatar and Dave Villwock, who duly entered the history books by claiming his 62nd race win in emphatic style, with Kelly and Steve David in Oh Boy Oberto! completing the podium places.
“I have never had a country as a sponsor before and to be able to win the Oryx Cup in front of all these fantastic people in Qatar is a special moment for me,” said an emotional Villwock.
